Conversation with Taj James

Talked today with Taj James, head of the Movement Strategy Center. I had met him through Tracy Gary at a funder's conference two years ago.  His Center builds community among progressive activists. We talked about how we could build community among progressive organizations, funders, and client advisors.  And we talked about widening such communities to include other groups, like conservatives and business people and politicians who share many of the same ends in view - like a livable world, healthy children, and a vital democracy. We tended to agree that for funders to give with full energy they need a safe place in which to explore what they are trying to accomplish overall, without being importuned by nonprofits, nor processed or handled by advisors. Out of such a space can come a funder prepared to partner with advisors and nonprofits on behalf of his or her own vision of the good.  For that space to be opened requires that all participants but aside self-seeking long enough to find elevated common ground.  Taj saw that, and has the skills to hold such a space open. I hope he will.