Giant Squid Group Community Invitation 

Giant Squid Group is a social impact consulting agency that works with start-up and small nonprofits to help them build their fundraising and leadership capacity. We do this through an intersectional feminist and antiracist lens. We’re moms and millennials who believe the nonprofit sector can change the world - but might need some help along the way. 

All of our work is rooted in our core values of integrity, inclusivity, and creativity.   We unequivocally believe DEI must be more than a buzzword in our sector, and that we must be part of creating transformational change that affirms, celebrates, supports, and includes all identities.

Everything we do is grounded in social justice and equity, and as a company, we are committed to antiracist and community-centered learning.  We use our privilege to promote equity.  We must be part of acknowledging and dismantling harmful systems, and recognize this is a challenging, ongoing, and iterative journey, and that while we will make errors, that failure is part of learning.

Community Invitation

We extend the following invitations to every member of the Giant Squid Group community in any space they may be participating in, including synchronous, asynchronous, in-person, and virtual discussions. We consider your participation to be an agreement to abide by these invitations. 

Relational Space

Strive to create and maintain a respectful and compassionate gathering space that open-heartedly invites different identities, experiences, and perspectives. All contributions are valued. It's okay to disagree; it's not okay to shame, blame, or attack self or others. 

Standing Invitation for All 

Engage and contribute in the way that is best for you, and share at the level that feels comfortable for you.
 

Take Space, Make Space

Be mindful of balancing how much you are speaking with how much you are listening to ensure that others have equal space to share. A successful conversation reflects the unique voices of everyone in the space. When you speak, we invite you to share the purpose of your comments and what you're explicitly or implicitly asking of others. 

Listen Deeply & Lead with Curiosity

Approach conversations with curiosity and a place of seeking to understand each other better, rather than jumping to judgment. Listen intently to what is being said - and to the needs and feelings beneath the words.

Consider Intent and Impact

Take responsibility for what you say and do: acknowledge intent but focus on and attend to impact. Recognize that some actions can cause harm by erasing the work of others (e.g., talking over, dismissing, or interrupting others; using your own experience to discount or minimize another’s experience; deleting your harmful comment to which others have replied to acknowledge and educate about your comment’s impact; among others). 

We empower any member to pause a discussion to acknowledge and redirect if you see harm is being done; or, if you prefer, to reach out to someone you trust to do so. Acknowledge that none of us will be perfect, but that we can each commit to hearing another when they call us in to harm we may have caused, and respond by listening, believing, and apologizing when we have caused harm. When someone says “ouch!”, we say, “ooops!” (I hear you, I’m sorry, and I will do better next time).

Universal Respect

Co-create a space where everyone can feel safe to share. Learnings and relationships may always be extended beyond meetings, but please be explicit if you share something that you would like to remain entirely in the group, or that you would like to be credited or acknowledged for if shared. If you are sharing something outside of the group, be sure you know if and how the sharer wished it to be shared beyond the group.

Stay Open to Emergence

Be mindful that we’re trying things on and it’s OK to change your mind and/or make suggestions for future improvement

Thank you to the Austin Social Sector Consultants Community for sharing this community invitation and allowing us to adapt it.  Anyone is welcome to use and adapt this community invitation for their own work!