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As part of our Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging (DEIB) efforts, the Relational Life Foundation is aware that it might be supportive to offer our Certification students and practitioners an opportunity to be part of an Affinity Space.
Affinity Spaces are groups in which all members are connected over a particular identity. Within these spaces we will practice the art of Generous Exclusion. You might ask: "Isn't exclusion in gathering something we've been fighting against for years? Isn't exclusion, however thoughtful or intentional, the enemy of diversity? It is not." (Priya Parker, The Art of Gathering) Diversity is a potentiality that needs to be activated. Generous exclusion bounds a gathering to allow the diversity in it to be heightened and sharpened. These spaces offer a private opportunity for those within that identity to discuss issues that are relevant to them, with less risk of microaggressions, or bearing the burden of educating people who are not of that identity about that lived experience. These groups are for processing how RLT can be used specifically within your culture. These are not ‘action’ groups, nor are they a place to air grievances or complaints. If you have constructive feedback to share with RLT leadership, we want to hear from you and have a designated place for you to share it. Disclaimer about psychological safety: RLF/RLI will not have representation within these Affinity Spaces. They are community led. We are not monitoring the content of these groups. We’re simply providing a platform for connection and supporting the coordinators in designing facilitation and membership guides. We have asked about our community's wishes, and listened.
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