Facilitating Digital Changemaking

A few weeks ago I facilitated a workshop on crisis managementwith fiveco-workers and threeinterns.

As frontline actors of social change, civil society organisations in our area of work--labour rights and gender equality--constantly face surveillance, censorship and crash down. I cannot share in detail how crisis can hit unexpectedly, threatening to destroy everything we have created to empower the grassroots and bring forth positive social change. With thisdark cloudbehind us, I shared what I have learnt from World Pulse Advanced Digital Changemaking Program and after intensive discussion, we have come up with several important pieces of advice to ourselves when dealing with crisis:

First of all, accept vulnerability and approach the situation as a human being. Because everyone elseis probably experiencing the same feeling. Being authentic and real in a crisis is the first step to form connection and solidarity. Rise to the challenge as a team.

Secondly, strategize how to react. For us, it is of paramount importance to design protocolsfor potential crises and regularly run drills to enhance skills and awareness ofevery team member in crisis management. Everyone has a role to play in the situation so we rise to the challenge together as a team.

Thirdly, get help from our networks. But firstly, identify and classify our stakeholders according to their nature, power/influence and interest. Strategize according to each situation who can and how they can help usdeal with a crisis.

Last but not least, embrace imperfection and dare greatly. To make this happen, practice forgiveness and self-forgiveness. Because feelings of failure are always part of the journey. So why run away from them? Instead, be humorously introspective about our failures and never stop daring.