By Don Arispe, PhD
- July 2006—Jeremy Everett and Don Arispe begin talking about developing an organization similar to the Center for Action and Contemplation, http://www.cacradicalgrace.org/ in Albuquerque, NM, but for inner city servant leaders, people of color, lower socio-economic, and include both civic and pastoral workers. CFAR—the Center for Formative Action and Reflection, will help workers “see far” the way the prophets of the Jewish scriptures were able to based on their ability to do social analysis through the eyes of their values and beliefs.
- Dec 2007—Don is laid off from St Mary’s U due to funding cuts. This where the current version of the reflection circles started. 5 circles were in place at the time, 4 decide they want to continue. Don is offered several positions from community partners, he begins discerning how he can best serve the community.
- March 2007—Don is given an insight—why work for just one community partner, when he can work for them all? He calls this consulting business CFAR Consulting. He decides that after he completes his PhD, his consulting business can be transformed into CFAR (the non-profit center)
- October 2010—Don shares a process note with 3 circles, main issue of struggle—he keeps hearing a song in his head/heart entitled, ‘the time is now’ and wonders what it means. After much discernment Don discerns it is now time to launch CFAR (the center).
- Nov-Dec 2010—Don asks members of 8 mature circles to form RCC-Reflection Circle Council.
- Jan 2011—First RCC mtg is held at St. John’s Church, monthly meetings are held every month after this to determine if indeed the “time is now.” Don shares his initial vision/mission/case statement of CFAR with the council along with two non-negotiables—-1) circles will always be the center of the center’s work, and 2) we will always listen to community, analyze what they/we are saying, collectively reflect before we take action as council. Don asks RCC to discern.
- Feb—Sept 2011—RCC continues to meet monthly to consider whether or not the time is now to start the center and various ways to bring the center to life if this is the time. The need for a day-long retreat emerges to make some decisions about our actions in Sept.
- Sept 2011—first RCC retreat, 4 organizational configurations are considered.
- keep CFAR as is; Don’s private business
- make CFAR a L3C,
- launch as its own non-profit,
- launch under the umbrella of CLI (Comm Leadership Institute).
RCC decides to pursue option 4. 1 week later Don receives 5k from BOA Neighborhood Hero Award, wants it for seed money for CFAR. Sees it as a sign we are on the right track.
- October 2011—Don begins his dissertation research and does 1 on 1 interviews with 12 RC members from mature circles, (4 of which are on the council), and does 4 focus groups. All that have had input into what CFAR should do, look like, etc (including council members) is over 20 circles members. Don produces an analysis of what folks are dreaming about CFAR and shares it with the RCC.
- Nov 2011—Don awarded Neighborhood hero award by Bank of America. Asks CLI (Community Leadership Institute) to hold for CFAR to be used to develop CFAR in partnership with CLI. No written contact is entered into, but is done informally based on 6 years of collaborative relationship with CLI.
- Dec 2011—First CFAR/RCC holiday celebration occurs and is quite a success with over 50 in attendance at the Guadalupe St. Coffee shop.
- Jan 2012—Don discovers that CLI is in danger of collapsing financially. He is told that CLI board of directors chair, Jennifer Moriarty, will unilaterally use the 5k we entrusted to them and verbal agreement with CFAR is broken.
- Feb–March 2012—RCC discerns how we will respond to CLI, letter is sent to CLI documenting our position and requesting money to be returned, or to pay CLI staff back pay that is owed to them. CLI refuses to meet and discuss and allegedly uses money to give staff back pay, but does not provide proof as requested by RCC.
- Rachel Epp-Miller, pastor of SA Mennonite Church joins SAUM circle at the urgings of Rob Mueller, RCC member.
- April 2012—written MOU is entered into with Martinez Street Women’s Center who will from this point take care of any CFAR funds and serve as fiscal agent. SA Mennonite Church asks Don to consider housing CFAR at the SA Mennonite Church. Discussions begin to consider this option with RCC.
- May-November 2012—CFAR’s committee structure dialogues take place, draft IV is agreed on by RCC. MOU is entered into with SA Mennonite church. They become CFAR’s facilities partner.
- June 2012—CFAR’s first summer friend/fund raiser at Taco Cabana.
- Dec 1, 2012—CFAR officially opens its doors at the SA Mennonite church. Only circles and yoga classes offered at this point. First Yoga class is offered in January 2013. Over 60 circle members and their families celebrate the 2nd annual Holiday dinner.
- Jan-July 2013—Don completes dissertation on the reflection circle process and publishes dissertation involving the voices of 30 local community worker/leaders.
- Aug 2013—First CFAR sponsored training offered to a general audience of community workers. 47 in attendance on the topic of compassion fatigue. First corporate sponsor (CITI) of $500 to go towards CFAR’s 3rd summer celebration of higher education. CFAR is incorporated in the state of Texas.
- Sept 2013—First CFAR sponsored mini-course is offered on the topic of the 12 steps to leading a compassionate life in partnership with the PeaceCENTER. Second yoga cohort/class begins.
- December 2013—First Peter Irwin Community Advocacy award given to RCC member Teresa Barajas at the 3rd annual CFAR Holiday day celebration.
- January 2014—RCC recommits to the mission, complete bylaws discussion, and decides to move forward with 501c3 application. Coordination duties are delegated to more CFAR members to allow Don to concentrate more heavily on program development. RCC commits to doing all it can to raise funds to hire a p/t coordinator by mid 2015. Renames itself the CLC—CFAR Leadership Council.
- CFAR community is consulted to determine quarterly training topics and mini courses for 2014.
- June 2014—CLC coordinates a CFAR open house and raises over $2500.00. CLC embarks upon a 3-5 year strategic planning process.
- December 2014—2nd annual Peter Irwin Award is awarded and new Richard Alvarado award is instituted. Mary Lou Mendoza is awarded the inaugural Alvarado award.
- Over the course of 2014 CFAR delivers on 95% of training topics requested by the CFAR community. Engages over 500 community based personnel in 2014 at a cost of only $4000, but shares over $75,000 worth of supportive services with the local community.
- January 2015—CLC recommits to CFAR. New mission, vision and values statement approved by CLC. This year’s programming will focus upon developing more reflection circles, offering 3-4 mini courses on topics determined by the CFAR community, engaging as many community based personnel as possible in our strategic planning process, adding Zumba to our body work offerings, and continuing to offer organizational and one on one coaching. Quarterly trainings are put on hold, and gathering, analyzing and implementing data gathered from the CFAR community will take its place in 2015. This data will be used to inform our strategic planning process.
