Introduction to Systems Thinking
This is an introductory course in systems thinking, a leadership model that recognizes that people, structures, and processes interact within organizational systems to foster (or restrict) organizational (and individual) wellbeing. Wherever your ministry takes you: serving a congregation; working as a chaplain; supervising volunteers in a voter registration drive; living in a cooperative or homeless encampment, knowledge about systems thinking offers tools to respond appropriately to the needs of the system in which you find yourself.
Our study of congregations and other systems (likely the medical-industrial and educational systems) will be rooted in a multi-cultural, anti-oppressive understanding of the intersectionality of systems and identities, power and privilege. Our work will also take us into less-charted territory to explore systems thinking in relation to social media and non-hierarchical (rhizomatic) organizational systems.
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Rev. Dr. Devorah Greenstein
The Rev. Dr. Devorah Greenstein retired from eight years leading the Office of Accessibility Concerns at the UUA, and continues her community ministry working with, and on behalf of, people from historically marginalized communities. Her educational training has given her contextual and theoretical perspectives in which she grounds her anti-oppression work. Her work includes educating and developing resources for religious professionals, lay leaders, and other individuals and groups engaged in anti-oppressive, multicultural transformation work to confront institutional and cultural ageism,ableism, racism, classism, and heterosexism.
