Resilience Network Meets for Strategic Planning to Outline Goals for Next Term

On June 27th, 2023, over 50 members of the Resilience Network came together in Central Florida  to outline goals for the next term. Strategic planning takes place following the annual conference (in April/May) and allows members to set priorities for the year's worth of work in advance of the next conference.

The Network currently has four main shared goals:

In addition to these shared goals, the Network has nine sectors, each with identified sector-specific goals. During the meeting, sectors met to identify SMARTIE (specific, measurable, achievable, relevant, time-bound, inclusive, and equitable) goals to bring the group closer to its horizon goal of a "resilient, trauma-informed, Central Florida".

Some of the priorities of the next term include:

• Developing sector-specific informational resources (infographics, short videos) to present during short meetings with high level stakeholders
• Increase sectoral participation in Resilience Network Programming: 
  • Why PACEs Matter (workshop)
  • Why Being Trauma Informed Matters (workshop)
  • Broken Places (film screening and facilitated discussion)  
  • Resilience: The Biology of Stress and the Science of Hope (film screening and facilitated discussion)
  • Common Read Book Club

In addition, during the meeting frameworks, resources, and tips for practitioners were shared including:

• Peace Practices: De-Escalation Strategies Preference Form
• The Prescription for Healing Toxic Stress, Dr. Nadine Burke Harris
• Principles for How We Treat Each Other: Our Practice of Respect and Community Building
• Strengthening Families: 5 Protective Factors Framework PACEs Connection Central Florida
• What is a Daily Peace Practice? Paul Chapman & Aida Diaz (PJI Journal, Spring/Summer 2021, p.26-27)

Attendees also participated in an appreciation/gratitude wall activity where they were asked: What are you grateful for?  Here are some of the responses:

• "I am grateful for my family. And for this beautiful network of people. All coming together for the common good. It brings a lot of hope."
• "Volunteers/worker bees moving this work forward"
• "Grateful for this group. It has restored my hope & has helped in my healing of self-awareness. It is life changing to be a part of like-minded humans that allow space for people to humans. Thank you Peace & Justice [Institute]! ☺"

In an impact survey disbursed during the meeting, the following data was collected:

• 97% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, they are ACEs aware.
• 78% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, they forgive more easily.
• 56% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, they have a daily peace or mindfulness practice.
• 72% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, they are more aware of their emotions.
• 74% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, they are able to put into practice effective ways to self-regulate
• 86% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, their professional life has been positively impacted.
• 78% of respondents agree or strongly agree that as a result of their participation with the Resilience Network, their personal life has been positively impacted.

If you are located in Central Florida and would like to join the Resilience Network, complete this form.

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Contact us at resilience@peacejusticeinstitute.org