Executives in professional social justice institutions, grassroots activists in local movements, and fiery young radicals on protest lines are all advancing urgent concerns about the internal workings of progressive spaces. The themes arising are surprisingly consistent. Many claim that our spaces are “toxic” or “problematic,” often sharing compelling and troubling personal anecdotes as evidence of this. People in leadership are finding their roles untenable, claiming it is “impossible” to execute campaigns or saying they are in organizations that are “stuck.”

A growing group of new organizers and activists are becoming cynical or dropping out altogether. Most read their experiences as interpersonal conflict gone awry, the exceptional dynamics of a broken environment or a movement that’s lost its way. A “bad supervisor,” a “toxic workplace,” a “messy movement space,” or a “problematic person with privilege” are just some of the refrains echoed from all corners of our movements.

Individuals are pointing fingers at other individuals; battle lines are being drawn. Identity and position are misused to create a doom loop that can lead to unnecessary ruptures of our political vehicles and the shuttering of vital movement spaces.

Movements on the Left are driven by the same political and social contradictions we strive to overcome. We fight against racism, classism, and sexism yet battle inequity and oppression inside our movements. Although we struggle for freedom and democracy, we also suffer from tendencies toward abuse and domination. We promote leadership and courage by individuals, but media exposure, social media fame, and access to resources compromise activists. We draw from the courage of radical traditions but often lack the strategy or conviction to challenge the status quo. The radical demands that we do make are so regularly disregarded that it can feel as if we are shouting into the wind. Many of us are working harder than ever but feeling that we have less power and impact.

There are things we can and must do to shift movements for justice toward a powerful posture of joy and victory. Such a metamorphosis is not inevitable, but it is essential.

Many business leaders often express confusion when it comes to their company’s information technology. As growth occurs, new clients and new employees bring increased needs. It often becomes necessary to engage with a service provider to offload some IT tasks. One of the many services that COVI provides is IT managed services. But what is that?

IT managed services are tasks handled by a third-party service provider, called a managed service provider (MSP). These types of providers can manage a defined set of business technology services for numerous clients, including large corporations and small businesses. An MSP also may implement a platform that offers technology services cheaper than what it would cost a business to do itself, at a higher level of quality, and with more flexibility and scalability.

Your business can benefit from IT managed services if it doesn't have the time, skills, or experience internally to manage information technology operations. Relying on expert guidance also allows your company to focus on the day-to-day workload.

For example, a small business owner spending time dealing with a faulty printer could cost the business more money without already having an MSP at their disposal. Small businesses can also face other challenges when sharing one login among several employees, creating an unsecured network.

This is where an IT managed services provider can step in — to provide a streamlined technology process for your company. However, it is important to note that consulting and professional services are not managed services.

Episode 34: Join Bryan Orander as he speaks with Holly Wheeler, executive director of Indiana Family to Family, about what it took to merge Family Voices Indiana and About Special Kids. During a two-year period, the board and staff members discussed mission and programming, and, along the way, learned to build trust in an effort to find the right path to better serve families.

(A rebroadcast of one of listeners’ favorite podcasts of 2022) Listen

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Lilly Endowment has awarded 16 grants totaling more than $39 million to assist museums in developing exhibitions and education programs that are instrumental in teaching visitors about the role of religion in shaping our world. Grant recipients include the Angel Mounds State Historic Site in Evansville and the Indiana University Lilly Library in Bloomington. Learn more

The Journey, which is supported by its parent organization, Indiana Youth Services Association, and Lilly Endowment, has announced a sabbatical in 2023 from inviting new cohorts for its fellowship programs. The organization will focus on events for its current community of fellows, including workshops, renewal gatherings, and regional meetings. Learn more

The Meridian Foundation has named its 2022 Arago Honor recipients in recognition of innovative practices among nonprofits that lead to significant social change. Each of the seven grant recipients will each receive $10,000 in unrestricted funds to support their work. Explore the innovative work of the award recipients.

Ball State University has received two gifts totaling $7.5 million to support the development and construction of a performing arts center proposed for The Village, a business and culture district adjacent to the campus. Read more

Is board service or volunteerism included in your New Year's resolutions? If so, check out Leadership Indianapolis’ Get On Board Nonprofit Guide

Jagathon, IUPUI's dance marathon program, is looking for "volunteer fundraising" opportunities in the Indianapolis community during January and February 2023 before its main event in March. Opportunities may include volunteering for a nonprofit organization's event in return for a donation of $10+/hour. Contact Allie Havens jagpres@iu.edu

Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy  What’s coming next from the fundraising school?

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Executive Director - Indiana Optometric Association