The annual StriveTogether 2017 Cradle to Career Network Convening was held in Phoenix from October 3 to 5, with the theme Be the Change: Getting Results for Every Child.
The Eastside Pathways team — Stephanie Cherrington, Megan Kennedy, Cathy Habib, Kelly Jones, and Sujata Agrawal — was joined by Siri Bliesner, Matt Gillingham and Beth Pendergrass from Lake Washinton School District.
From left: Cathy Habib, Stephanie Cherrington, Beth Pendergrass, Matt Gillingham,
Siri Bliesner, Kelly Jones, and Megan Kennedy.
It was a huge learning experience, especially for those of us who were attending for the first time. It was great to connect with people who were passionate about the work they do. It was inspiring to listen to success stories. It was good to share the knowledge and learn best practices. We came away enthused with a renewed commitment to provide every child the opportunities they need to be successful.
Here are thoughts shared by some of the team members.
Siri Bliesner, Board Member at Lake Washington School District
Was this your first time? If yes, what were your expectations?
Yes. To learn more about collective impact, examples around the country, and to be able to bring back action items.
What have been some of your takeaways?
To solve the wicked questions requires having everyone at the table to develop an approach.
Which session/workshop did you find most useful or interesting?
Career Pathways – Better Together; Project Youth Career Connect. Did a fabulous job of community integration into the design of project – addresses a key need to streamline access to meaningful internships and had a plan for sustainability (community ownership).
What are you taking back to share with your team?
Additional understanding about the role of Strive Together; possibilities of ways to incorporate multiple stakeholders into a common goal.
Matt Gillingham, Director – Student Services at Lake Washington School District
Was this your first time? If yes, what were your expectations?
Yes, I really wasn’t sure what to expect.
What are some of your takeaways?
In addition to gathering some programmatic and technical ideas that we could replicate, I am taking away how powerful collective impact can be if we truly commit to changing the underlying structures which contribute to inequitable outcomes.
What was a significant learning/understanding from the discussions and conversations that you had?
I think the most significant thing I learned was that collective impact needs to go beyond programmatic collaboration or efficiencies and challenge its member institutions to change policies and practices which reinforce inequities.
Which session/workshop did you find most useful or interesting?
I learned the most from the Project Road Map presentation regarding their research into the factors impacting Black students.
What are you taking back to share with your team?
I will be taking back how powerful this work can be and how deeply we need to be involved to effect change.
Cathy Habib, Lead Facilitator at Eastside Pathways
Was this your first time? If yes, what were your expectations?
This was my second conference. I went two years ago and found this one even more valuable.
What are some of your takeaways?
It’s exciting to be a part of a national effort and energizing to hear about all the great work being done around the country.
What was a significant learning/understanding from the discussions and conversations that you had?
Race and equity have to be in the forefront of the work.
Which session/workshop did you find most useful or interesting?
Private/public partnership for Early Learning.
What are you taking back to share with your team?
I’m excited to borrow some ideas, terminology and early learning messaging from Richmond VA Community. I also collected a lot of examples on how to present data succinctly to demonstrate community needs.
Sujata Agrawal, Communications and Operations Manager at Eastside Pathways
Was this your first time? If yes, what were your expectations?
It was my first time. I was keen to learn more about the approach and framework, especially about messaging and communication around collective impact.
What are some of your takeaways?
Your messaging must be clear and concise (not filled with jargon) – focus on what is the single powerful message that you want your audience to walk away with. And the importance of equity in your work – “You cannot be race neutral”.
What was a significant learning/understanding from the discussions and conversations that you had?
The opening session with Steve Ballmer was enlightening – especially his remarks around messaging and branding, which resonated with many people in the audience. The discussions and conversations were significant in understanding the importance of the work that so many organizations and individuals across the country and its impact on our kids.
Which session/workshop did you find most useful or interesting?
The pre-session for first-time attendees and new staff was a great kick-off session as it helped in getting the most out of the convening as well as allowing for initial networking.
The workshop on 360 communication offered a good set of communication materials to help effective communication with different stakeholders
What are you taking back to share with your team?
The importance of authentic youth engagement and how we can do that in our organization. The need for greater and better partner engagement. More focus on data storytelling.