Here is the complete program highlight that appeared in the May 2008 Civic Reflection News Update published by Project on Civic Reflection:

Advocacy Group Uses Civic Reflection for Organizational Development

A recently formed Chicago advocacy group for immigrant rights, the Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment (AFIRE), supports comprehensive immigration reform and more just treatment of undocumented immigrants. Since late last year, AFIRE has been using conversation about readings by Pablo Neruda, Franz Kafka, Toni Cade Bambara and others to develop its organizational structure and mission.

Discussions have been facilitated by AFIRE directors Jerry Clarito and Arnold de Villa, who both attended a facilitation training workshop co-sponsored by the Illinois Humanities Council and the Project on Civic Reflection last summer. Clarito reports that members' interest in the series has been strong: "Word got around that civic reflection not only helps the organization but helps participants personally with what they are doing." He adds that "the longer the series went on, the deeper and broader the sharing of experiences." Clarito believes that participants' willingness to commit to the whole series is key to a quality civic reflection experience. He notes that civic reflection provided important support to AFIRE's organizational development and has become part of AFIRE's culture.

Through the AFIRE series, civic reflection has been spreading to other Chicago organizations. Clarito is preparing to launch a series with staff at the daycare center where he works, and he has introduced civic reflection to the National Federation of Filipino American Associations (NaFFAA). Yoly T. Tubalinal, a member of NaFFAA and the editor-publisher of the Fil-Am Weekly Megascene, recently published a column about civic reflection as a way for organizations to combat burnout among their members. She included this comment by Jelly Carandang, regional secretary of NaFFAA's Midwest region:

To be honest, I read the topic and the article several times before our meeting, but did not see the connection, until each of us had shared our own understanding and interpretation. I left last night with a renewed and improved perspective. I can feel that the civic reflections are now turning into personal reflections that I am sure will help in all facets of my daily life.

Read Tubalinal's column here.