Dear IPD Friends and Colleagues,

When I received confirmation of the Institute’s nonprofit status on April of 2017, I remember saying out loud…

“This. Is. POWERFUL!”

The “power” envisioned was to advance healthy, sustainable, and just organizations and communities in the marriage of two theories and practice tools.

The theories:

  1. Polarities of Democracy (POD) developed by Dr. William J. Benet that uses;
  2. Dr. Barry Johnson’s concept of Polarity Management/Polarity Thinking.

For those new to the work of the Institute, POD theory is comprised of ten universal democratic values in five interdependent pairs (or “polarities”).

Access and training to practice tools (developed by Polarity Partnerships) helps IPD implement positive social change in POD theory. Now, as the map below shows, the power of theory/research AND tools/action is being used across the U.S. and across the globe to articulate, communicate, and disseminate democratic republic principles and practice.

The summary below describes a few ways IPD is actively supporting individuals, teams, organizations, and large systems seeking to implement democratic principles for positive social change. While years one and two were primarily dedicated to creating infrastructure and delivering scholarship training to our Fellows, our next stages will involve coordinating coaching/consulting and education/training resources in partnership — on initiatives in service to improving well-being/quality of life and strengthening democratic principles.

INVESTING IN CHANGE

  • LEARN: We welcomed two cohorts of scholars and practitioners to our Social Change Fellows Ranks. These 16 post-doctoral Fellows are deepening their understanding of polarity approaches and polarities of democracy theory and are already using their new learning in their writing, work and dialogue for social change challenges and opportunities.

  • EMPOWER: Established the Desi Benet Social Change Fellow Scholarship to be awarded to a woman social change agent in each Fellows’ cohort memorializing the earliest supporter of the Polarities of Democracy theory. Congratulations to Dr. Nicole Hayes, the inaugural recipient.

  • TEACH: The Institutes Leadership and Fellows have developed a strong cadre of tools and resources including study guides, video courses, assessment training, maps and writings that are available to students, researchers, trainers, and our wider learning community.

CREATING IMPACT

  • ACT: The Institute has launched six positive social change projects located in community-based settings. These projects focus on leveraging the theory’s non-partisan democratic values to strengthen organizations and communities working on issues ranging from economic revitalization to protecting voter’s rights.

  • LEAD: With the myriad of resources, researchers, and social change agents in place, we expect to kick-off consulting services in 2020 along with dialogue and direct action seminars. We will also celebrate the launch of Dr. Barry Johnson’s new polarities thinking book, which highlights the role of polarities across a spectrum of issues.

  • PARTNER: We continue to develop partnerships within higher education including George Mason University’s Center for the Advancement of Well-Being, Walden University’s School of Public Policy and Center for Social Change, and the Graduation Pledge Alliance; and partner with leaders from national and international organizations to support  and extend the reach and use of Polarities of Democracy theory.

We hope you will consider making a gift to support our continued growth and impact creating positive social change and strengthening democracy.

Two months ago, a generous donor offered to match our year-end contributions 1-1, up to $2,500; as of today, we’re up to $600 (or, $1,200, according to my math).  Your gift will help us close 2019 with success and jump into 2020 with strong footing.

On behalf of Bill, Barry, our Managing Director/Senior Fellow Suzanne Rackl, and our Fellows/Board of Directors – thank you for your interest and energy.

This work is important.

Donate Now!