Testimonials
Read what some of our clients have to say about our network building, consulting, and facilitation services, and about our trainings.
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Testimonials for our network building, consulting, and facilitation services.
“Our strategic planning process with IISC was successful beyond our wildest dreams. Not only have we crystallized our vision for our work and for our role in social change in Boston, we have learned so much about how to work together well. The IISC process and commitment to careful preparation for each phase of the planning process meant that we literally did not waste a moment of our planning time. One of our key stakeholders told me after a meeting that the thoughtful and careful design of that process reaffirmed that UEI is an effective and visionary partner. We owe that sort of positive feedback to IISC.”
Charlie Lord, Executive Director Urban Ecology Institute
“IISC was able to take a vague vision of trying to expand a field beyond its usual suspects and turn it into a powerful fun, enriching experience for the hundreds of people involved. Their capacity to create learning environments is unparalleled, in large part because of the nurturing attitude and professional skills amongst the staff. We always look forward to projects that involve IISC as we know they will be challenging and rewarding.”
Lisa Jordan, Deputy Director of Governance and Civil Society, Ford Foundation
“With the dogged assistance of IISC’s staff, we experienced a well-orchestrated inclusive planning process that incorporated a diversity of vested perspectives. IISC methodically walked the Foundation through a discussion of what it would take to construct a shared vision and plan for improving the lives of Springfield’s young children. While the final product of this work was the development of a comprehensive “blueprint” for our children, the process of achieving this plan, under the competent direction of IISC was as important as the product itself.”
Mary Walachy, Executive Director Irene E. and George A. Davis Foundation
“IISC facilitated for our entire staff a reorganization process of teaming structures, staffing assignments, and decision making processes. They expertly interwove individual interviews with small group and full staff sessions to build a unified plan of reorganization that was eventually embraced unanimously by the full staff. The consultants were terrific in helping each staff person have a voice in the conversations, while moving diverse perspectives toward shared understanding and common agreements. As a result, we now have in place a reorganized structure that meets the changing needs of the work we face, while most importantly building a more collaborative staff culture.”
Dan French, Executive Director Center for Collaborative Education
“I don’t know of any other consulting group that has the knowledge and experience in the area of social change work that IISC has. We are attempting a sea change within a complex situation and I am sure that no other consultant could have gotten us to where we needed to be in such a short time. We are forging deeper and broader relationships in the community development field and there is a sense of hope that we can actually do something about the issue of racism now and how it impacts our field.”
Pam Jones, Program Officer, LISC Boston
“For an organization like the Ten Point Coalition, collaboration is both essential and often maddeningly difficult to achieve. That’s one reason we treasure the invaluable role that the Interaction Institute for Social Change has played in our development. Their training, facilitation, strategic planning and other services have helped us build partnerships, master the skills needed to maintain those partnerships, and develop the organizational structures, policies, and practices we needed. Without their help, it would have been difficult, if not impossible to do what we’ve done in the time that we’ve done it.
Rev. Dr. Ray Hammond, President, Boston Ten Point Coalition
“I attend many conferences and do not make it a practice to send a note afterwards to the facilitators. However, for this meeting, the mechanics were extraordinarily well thought out and smoothly implemented, the manner in which you all operated as a team was impressive and aspects of the methodology were interestingly innovative. My team and I organize many large meetings of our national and international allies working on globalization issues. From observing your work, I was able to learn some new practices that will improve how we facilitate such future gatherings.”
Lori M. Wallach, Director, Public Citizen’s Global Trade Watch
“IISC modeled the language, the behaviors, and the techniques for planning and thinking through a large scale process. All of that was brand new to all of us. And it’s actually quite amazing - it’s a language and a way of organizing and being in community that has really filtered down into the way the Peace and Security community does its business and its operations.”
Naila Bolus, Executive Director, The Ploughshares Fund
“Through my work with IISC I was able to realize that previously I didn’t know what I didn’t know – they were able to help me as a school leader understand how to work most effectively with all stakeholders to maximize the potential of our full group. I was able to learn more skills to be an effective facilitator and leader of complex issues. I was also was able to realize some of the more hidden and underlying issues of social change.”
Jennifer Fischer Mueller, Deputy Superintendent of Teaching and Learning, Public Schools of Brookline
“IISC brought important insight to the collaborative planning process that resulted in people feeling heard, valued and respected. The IISC team brings a comprehensive approach to planning, which ensures that every step along the way is carefully and clearly thought out before each meeting. Their facilitative skills were instrumental to reaching consensus among a group of diverse stakeholders. Finally, IISC creates a process for team participants to reach the desired objective while also gaining key planning and facilitation skills along the way!”
Sylvia Johnson, Associate Director& Celina Miranda, Program Associate, The Hyams Foundation
“IISC played an invaluable role facilitating the meetings of the Child Care Capital Investment Fund’s staff and consultants. They did a masterful job keeping the group moving, assigning tasks and insuring progress….The emphasis on on-going evaluation that IISC inculcates has borne fruit as we have made revisions each year based on feedback from participants and trainers.”
Carl Sussman, Principal, Sussman Associates
Testimonials for our trainings
“IISC brought really excellent tools to use for developing leaders. The tools they offer give people a framework and provide flexibility –this is important because it empowers people to be successful in their own way….All of the IISC consultants were well grounded and authentic people. They embody the material and the concepts.”
Michael McCormack, Program Director, Blue Cross and Blue Shield of Massachusetts Foundation
“The IISC approach to working with teams and groups catapulted the strength of our teaching cohort to a new level. Our professional interactions and personal understanding of each other has made working together enlightening. We had previously taken classes together as the same group, and bonded through those, though not nearly as much as through the unique approach of IISC – treating everyone as valuable members, leaders, and collaborators. I wish I could have the shared experience of Facilitative Leadership® with the staff that I work with most closely because those that went through it connect on a real collaborative level of leadership.”
Jesse Leavitt, 8th Grade Academy, Citizen Schools
“Without being overly dramatic, the practical, usable, simple tools were life changing. I’ve been through lots of trainings and leadership courses in my career and this one is so different. It is complete, fun, tangible, focused and you get to practice using the tools in a “safe” environment. This makes them immediately usable when you leave. I’ve not run a meeting the same since and I’ve not managed my staff the same since. Thanks for providing these powerful experience to make me a better leader.”
Amy Smith, Regional Vice President, Hands On Network
Everyone should have the opportunity to participate in something similar, regardless of whether or not your core activity is facilitation. We all participate in meetings of some kind and this understanding can lead to a much more effective, inclusive way of doing our jobs.
Virginia Bohan, Senior Training Advisor, FAS- Training and Employment Authority, Kilkenny, Ireland
“How I wished I had taken this workshop years ago! Any organization that cares about its success should invest the time and resources in their staff so that they may learn the benefits of Facilitative Leadership®.”
Andrea Freeman, Director of Training and Conferences, Land Trust Alliance
“Excellent workshop. The tools are incredibly helpful, and the opportunities to practice helped solidify the classroom instruction. The course is a rare one that actually applies Adult Learning Theory to allow for multiple ways to learn.”
Anita Ruff, Public Health Advisor, CDC/Maine Bureau of Health
“I’m finding this workshop so helpful. I find the process skills really helpful in my work. Before I took Facilitative Leadership® I used to be very shy. Now that I know more about process I know more what I’m doing and I feel more confident. I’m able to raise my hand and participate in meetings. And I encourage people from my [Cambodian] community.”
Chheub Heng, Massachusetts Asian and Pacific Islanders for Health
“The best workshop/training session I have ever been involved in. It provides useful and usable tools to facilitate change, and to develop and engage in collaborative change. It gives me a sense that it is really achievable and can really work.”
Ad McCormack, Community Enterprise Development Officer Keny County Council, Ireland
“Facilitative Leadership® is a powerful foundation for leaders. The principles and the strategies that are a part of that course really enable people to advocate and build around change, in communities and in organizations… . It is very clear to me those at Citizen Schools who have participated in the training – how they organize meetings, how they lead within the organization, and how they bring different stakeholders together towards getting something done.”