|
December 2025
I know many of us in the northern hemisphere are looking forward to December 21 with delight. The shortest day of the year- a pause- and then a long exhale followed by an inhale... and over again until we arrive at sunlight staying above the horizon, warmth returning, and new growth taking shape.
Traditions across cultures honor the turning of the wheel, recognizing harvests and celebrations and moon cycles. All things in time. The winter is a time of reflection, connection, and contemplation. How have you been reflecting and connecting?
After a sweet planning day with friends KC, Jess, and Felix last Friday, I'm looking forward to what's to come in the new year for Confluence, as I embark on my second full year as a consultancy.
Here are some things to look forward to:
- Wisdom Partnership. I love developing leadership, in myself and others. This eight-session individual offering is a container for asking questions, grounding in our own wise knowing, and clearing out the psychic clutter to make space for what's next and needed. If I have it to share, I'll share it. There are 8 spots open in 2026.
- The Strategy Spiral. Strategic planning that goes deeper than the what. What organizations are up to is important. How we're doing the work matters just as much. This will be planning for nonprofits and social impact orgs who need to remain nimble, adapting to what is while also looking to the future.
- New pricing for New Leaders. I'll be playing around with member pricing so that this gorgeous network space continues to provide the most good to the most people. You can help me out by responding to this two-minute survey.
If the holidays are challenging you, you definitely aren't alone. Remember to resource yourselves well- drink water, eat good food, take rest, dance around in the kitchen, and find friends who can make you laugh. Or watch cute goat videos.
Curious about how Confluence can support you and the work you're doing? Have feedback or just want to check in?
|
|
|
Mutual aid: where to give your coins
This month, I'm featuring two incredible groups doing incredible work: Trusted Connections and Resonance Network. Be sure to also check out our Mega Mutual Aid List 2025. Spread some cheer (and some coins) this holiday season!
- Help Folks on the Frontlines of Unsheltered Anchorage. Trusted Connections is an Alaska-Native led nonprofit facilitating Indigenous-centered trauma healing circles, providing culturally responsive social services for unsheltered neighbors in Anchorage, and acting as safe liaisons for visitors from the village.
- Support Resonance Network in Activating a Generous Match. Resonance Network is where it's at. Seriously. Through programming like Mend the Arc and We Govern, Resonance is working alongside practitioners, organizers, and changemakers to shift toward our vibrant futures in community. Your $1 become their $3.
These will be updated monthly. If you have a need that folks can help with virtually, email them to me (with links!) by the first Friday of each month.
|
|
|
What Confluence is up to & offering
Here's the short list of Offerings. I look forward to collaborating in shared space with you soon.
January's Grow circle features Jess Limbird with Confluence. Jess is a community organizer, network weaver, and catalyst for systems change. For next month's session, we'll talk about the role of our emotional selves in how we show up and lead.
What are your experiences with feeling? Are there some emotions that are coded as "good" and others as "bad"? What is the role of emotion in our bodies and lives? And how can we increasingly get better at identifying how we're feeling in order to better manage them? These questions are the basis of January's Grow circle, where we'll share framework, story, and practice. Look forward to see all y'all there!
We'd love to have you join us!
Not ready to be a member but still want to access this Grow circle? Grab your ticket to "What's Emotion Got to Do With It" here.
|
|
We're switching up how we do membership with the New Leaders Network. I'm exploring a subscription model, which would be a much lower initial cost and help sustain the network into the future.
Help me out by taking this 2-minute survey.
|
|
|
|
Partner offerings & collabs
Confluence is one node is a network of movement builders, change-makers, and influential work happening across our country and world. Check out what our friends are up to.
|
|
Never Use Alone seeks hotline volunteers
Never Use Alone is the US National Overdose Response line that people can call when they're using by themselves with no one to call for help. Volunteer operators take location information, remain on the call, and notify EMS to a location if a caller stops responding after using. All operators are people with lived experience. If you would like to support this life-saving effort, check out the details and apply.
|
Tamarack Institute: Changemaker Experience 2026
Tamarack Institute is currently accepting applications for their 2026 Changemaker Experience. This is for leaders looking to build their capacity for change. Next year's cohort will explore frameworks, receive expert and peer coaching, apply learning to real community challenges, and ground your work in equity, Indigenization, and decolonial thinking.
|
|
|
|
|
Building Power with Visuals
Social Movement Technologies is offering a 4-week step-by step intensive on using imagery in campaigns to project power and drive action.
This program is for you if you're an organizer, in communications, hold a design role or interact with others who do graphic design or visual production, or are interested in deepening your campaign's impact through strong slogans, imagery and action in the streets and online.
|
|
|
|
|
|
watch
I love science. I grew up watching Bill Nye the Science Guy. So, I've been super excited to watch Dr. Cal your Science Pal's youtube shorts.
As Jinxx Monsoon has said- "Magic is science we don't understand, and science is magic we do understand." Love love love.
|
|
|
|
Confluence Consulting is located in Lewisburg, Tennessee on the ancestral lands of the ᏣᎳᎫᏪᏘᏱ (Tsalaguwetiyi), Chikashsha I̠yaakni’ (Chickasaw), S’atsoyaha (Yuchi), and Shawandasse Tula (Shawanwaki/Shawnee) people.
We'd love to have you stick around and continue to be part of the Confluence community. If you need to lighten your newsletter load, you can do that by clicking below.
Unsubscribe
Did someone forward you this newsletter? Subscribe here to stay in the know.
|
|
|
