Institutional priorities and decisions emerge through a broad range of factors. It is rare that all staff members feel that they are shaping institutional directions. But are they supported in contributing to these directions and do they feel heard? Are they supported in experiencing a sense of "rightful presence" in the organisation, where who they are, what they know and care about are seen as contributions to the organisation's mission and activities? Are they supported in understanding when decisions are made that may or may not reflect their input?
In this session we will share research and practice on how to build organisational cultures in which all staff members can experience a sense of rightful presence, a term we borrow from critical justice studies of borderland, refugee, and immigrant communities. Two leaders will share how they structure leadership opportunities within their organisations and share research on how to recognise and navigate power structures. The majority of the session will be spent in multiple interactive configurations, using novel meeting design methods.