The collective good

The Challenge

In the midst of a journey of change, the Black American think tank, The Joint Center, found itself at a pivotal moment. Shaped by diverse lived experiences and driven by data, the organization was navigating a transition in leadership, necessitating a nuanced and collaborative approach to redefine its meaning and purpose.

Engaging The Collective Good, the organization sought to embark on a journey of exploration, unification, and enlightenment, anchoring their vision within a robust theory of change.

Future Caucus has an audacious mission to activate young leaders, bridge the partisan divide, and transform American politics. Entering the pandemic, they welcomed a new leader and new team members. With this in mind and the increasing polarization of policymaking, Future Caucus had an opportunity to engage and grow its membership.

The Approach

Amidst transitions, achieving clarity and cohesion demands a collective visioning process. We curated a collaborative space, bringing together a diverse working group from across the organization to delve deeply into the essence of their work and its impact.

Together, we examined the symbiotic relationship between The Joint Center and the communities it serves, fostering open dialogue and reflection to explore each individual's "audacious visions." Through iterative co-creation over multiple sessions, the working group forged consensus on both immediate and long-term objectives. The overarching aim was to identify key drivers of change and map the intricate connections between their efforts and the outcomes envisioned in their collective vision.

Co-creating a strategy that centered the voices and needs of the Future Caucus community of young legislators. Our analysis provided an understanding of:

Future Caucus’ North Star to remove the barriers young legislators face in order to build a more inclusive and effective democracy
Systemic challenges that legislators face including minimal leadership training, absence of mentors, insufficient time and opportunity to focus on innovative policy solutions, and difficulty connecting with the voters who’d most likely be energized by collaborative, productive leadership
Future Caucus’ unique positioning in the space to tailor support and position young policymakers to engage across the aisle

From this process, Future Caucus gained a clearer focus on building a constituency for inclusive governing and amplifying new narratives.

The Results

Through this iterative process of co-creation, The Joint Center emerged with a theory of change firmly rooted in their shared vision. This framework not only provides a solid foundation for future development but also serves as a guiding light for the organization's growth. Team members acknowledged the power of fostering a positive, supportive environment for open dialogue, particularly during times of transition and uncertainty

Our Partnership:

Renewed Future Caucus’ vision of restored public trust in democracy, improved public leadership, and more representative public policy
Crafted an ambitious 5-year strategy with key performance indicators to ensure accountability and track progress
Strengthened collaboration between staff and the Board around key strategies, including:
- Amplifying models of bipartisan public service
- Activating and connecting their network
- Building a high-performing organization that exudes their values and ethos

From this process, Future Caucus gained a clearer focus on building a constituency for inclusive governing and amplifying new narratives.

Eradicating barriers to the full freedom of Black Americans through policy

The Challenge

The Approach

The Results

Could you see your story here? Let's do it!