From Elika's Desk:

• Please join me in expressing our heartfelt appreciation to Dr. Val in her future endeavors and come celebrate 40 incredible years with our Founding Director at the 40th celebration event on September 27th in Boston - I look forward to celebrating Dr. Val and all four of our special founders and their remarkable journeys with us. We encourage everyone to attend and further strengthen our relationships with one another.Thank you, Dr. Val, for everything you have done for VISIONS. Your vision, leadership, and unwavering commitment has been truly inspiring.  There is nowhere like VISIONS, and I am grateful for the trust you have put in me with your "(40 year old) adult child" to carry your vision forward with this incredible team we have. 🙂I am looking forward to working with Drs. Rick Pinderhughes and Jeanne Firth as they move forward in their roles and responsibilities, starting July 1, 2024. We are also excited to welcome Jabari Brown more formally as he manages the inquiry process. Please see Dr. Val’s section below for more information on that. 

  In regard to the 40th anniversary event, please see the email John Maudlin shared with the listserv on June 4th that included information about the event, as well as language you may want to use with your communities to support our fundraising efforts toward the 40th anniversary event. We are fundraising toward the Institute and hope to formally launch it by the end of this calendar year.

 

From Nikki's Desk:

Town Hall Video Available

• If you were not able to make it, please know the video recording will be made available for you to watch. Reach out to the office and we will provide you with the link. 

Annual Agreements

• 1099 Consultants: Independent Contractor & Reciprocity Agreements are due June 30 to nglass@visions-inc.org 
• W2 Consultants: Reciprocity Agreements are due June 30 to nglass@visions-inc.org 

Support the work! Consider making a donation to 

• support scholarships for those who may not be able to participate in our programs
• youth stipends for VISIONS’ 2024 Legacy Project in Fresno (CA)
• stipend support for consultant learning sessions
• In honor of or in memory of someone special in your life

You can support directly or double your impact if your employer has a donation matching program or via a Donor Advised Matching program.

You can also support VISIONS by purchasing an item(s) for yourself or others from the VISIONS Shop to spread the learnings of VISIONS. New designs are available. Visit today.

VISIONS - Inc.  is turning 40!!  Do you have a client you think would consider a sponsor? Let us know.  Email Nikki Glass at nglass@visions-inc.org or send this link to your contact.

 

From Dr. Val's Desk: 

• As Elika noted above, Rick will now be “in charge” of consultant activities.  As you all know, Rick is a dynamic facilitator, clinician and teacher and he will continue to bring much experience and wisdom to this role. Jeanne will be the “deputy” director in the consultation space, and brings her leadership, consulting and administrative skills to support the work.  They, along with the whole inquiry team (Kaitlin as contracts manager and Jabari as staff consultant), will keep those inquiries coming. 
• As mentioned in last month's newsletter also, the team is working with Amy to continue to find ways to have SalesForce best support the work of this group.  This team, I am sure will continue to help us successfully turn inquiries into consultation activities. I encourage you to communicate to them directly with on-going consultant needs.

 

From Dr. Leena's Desk:

• Into Liberation Podcast: Listen to our next elder story with Vincent Johnson on the podcast! You can listen on the website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to also catch up on our other elder stories with Felipe Garcia and Deborah Walker, if you haven’t already!
• 2024 Spring Summit videos: Now LIVE!: All VISIONS internal community members can access the 2024 Spring Summit videos by logging in to the website! If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend, there’s a lot of rich material between the talks and the workshops. 

 

From Elika's Desk:

• Board Retreat: The board, as well as members of CAC, gathered for a weekend of strategic planning, discussions around the current DEI climate, as well as reflections on how to respond to the DEI Landscape Survey and Consultant Rate Review report conducted by Fio Consultant, Jim Berson (summary included HERE). We invited a few consultants to share their experiences in this current DEI climate with the board, as well as an individual who served as Dean of Diversity and Inclusion at the University of Texas, to gain further insights. (See board minutes HERE)

 

• FEEDBACK / PERSONAL LEVEL: If you have not done so, I would greatly appreciate your responding to the survey so I can continue to learn your needs and also support my own growth and development. Please know I’d love the opportunity to jump on a 1:1 to connect, and invite you all to reach out to set something up this summer (in person if local to the Boston area or virtually/by phone) - so if you’re interested and available, please email me and let me know!

 

From Nikki's Desk:

• Restorative Practice Training POSTPONED:Unfortunately, due to conflicts in participants schedules, both the east and west coast offerings of the restorative justice training are being postponed.

 

From Dr. Val's Desk: 

• Organizational Transitions: a heads-up An update from the CAC: As of July 1, Jimmie/Jim Turner will step down as Chair of this committee after many years.  Jeanne is stepping in as Chair. This is one of several changes and transitions within the consultant part of the organization at the end of this fiscal year (June 30th). I will no longer be VP of Consulting and I will no longer be part of the administrative team.  I will continue to see clients and to provide coaching and supervision internally.

 

From Dr. Leena's Desk:

• Into Liberation Podcast: Listen to our next elder story with Vincent Johnson on the podcast! You can listen on the website, Apple Podcasts, or Spotify. Be sure to also catch up on our other elder stories with Felipe Garcia and Deborah Walker, if you haven’t already!
• 2024 Spring Summit videos: Now LIVE!: All VISIONS internal community members can access the 2024 Spring Summit videos by logging in to the website! If you didn’t have the opportunity to attend, there’s a lot of rich material between the talks and the workshops. 

 

 

• 40th Anniversary Celebration and Fundraising:
  • VISIONS’ 40th fundraising celebration is coming soon, with discounted tickets for the internal community (use code FAMILY).
  • Alternatives are available if cost is a barrier, including using a future B&E, accessing donated tickets, or volunteering at the event (volunteers receive a free ticket).
  • Video memories are being collected via Momento to highlight VISIONS’ work at the event.
• Professional Development and Strategic Planning:
  • Themed working groups are forming for ongoing consultant training, focusing on topics like the gender spectrum, disability, and Indigenous issues. Interested members can email jfirth@visions-inc.org.
  • VISIONS is developing its next strategic plan, incorporating feedback from surveys, meetings, and community calls. Key discussions include modernizing the VISIONS model, consultant pool strengthening, and addressing pay structures.
• Monthly Guidelines Workshops & Marketing Tools:
  • Guidelines Workshops are held on the last Wednesday of each month (4–5:15 PM ET) as a pay-what-you-can, low-pressure way to introduce potential clients to VISIONS' approach.
  • Consultants can use these workshops as a sales tool and are encouraged to participate and invite clients.

• Payroll & Administrative Updates:
  • Gusto System:
    • Update your bank account and address directly in the Gusto app.
    • Ensure your address is current for accurate tax document delivery.

 

• Reciprocity & Usage of VISIONS Materials:
  • If you use VISIONS materials for independent consulting, submit payments using the reciprocity form.
  • Contact Rick Pinderhughes for questions about reciprocity.
  • Future conversations will focus on reciprocity alignment with VISIONS’ values—details to follow in the coming months.

 

• Professional Development Opportunities 
  • Working Groups:
    • Join a working group focused on ongoing professional development. Email jfirth@visions-inc.org to sign up or for questions.
      Training Themes:
  • Gender/Trans Spectrum
  • Indigenous Issues & Land Acknowledgement
  • Disability
  • Islamophobia & Antisemitism (current group full, but a Gaza-focused group may start—express interest to join).
  • Each theme will run for 3–6 months and include:
    • Presentations or trainings by internal or external facilitators.
    • Opportunities to apply the VISIONS model in personal and professional contexts.
    • Monthly Community Meetings (First Fridays) for discussions and training.

 

• Consulting & SF Updates 
  • CFF Processes:
    • The Salesforce system for managing CFFs (Consultant Feedback Forms) is being restored.
    • Reviewers: Expect to receive previously paused CFFs.
    • Consultants: Look for reviewed CFFs returning to you soon for your records.
  • Impact Analysis:
    A process for analyzing the impact of contract clients is being developed. Updates will follow once finalized.

 

• Marketing & Outreach Initiatives 
  • Website Updates:
    Website traffic is up; updates to the site are in progress.
  • Brand Messaging with Thinkso:
    VISIONS is working with Thinkso to refine branding and messaging. Feedback is being gathered, with updates to follow. For details, contact John Maudlin (jmaudlin@visions-inc.org).
  • Industry-Specific Marketing:
    • VISIONS is forming Industry Interest/Marketing Groups to focus marketing efforts by sector (e.g., higher education, HR, corporations).
    • Contact jfirth@visions-inc.org to participate.
    • Conferences:
      • Share recommendations for conferences in your sector.
      • VISIONS is prioritizing which conferences to attend and supporting consultants in presenting at them.
  • OnCon Conference Success:
    • OnCon (virtual conference) included 20 individual meetings and an interactive roundtable led by Rick Pinderhughes and Ariana Gil.
    • Proposals are being developed for 5+ organizations, with positive initial results.

 

• Upcoming Retreat
  • Save the date for an in-person retreat in the California Bay Area during the week of October 20–26, 2025.
  • Feedback on scheduling preferences (weekdays vs. weekends, duration, etc.) is welcome—contact CAC or Jeanne.

Four-Year Progress Check

As we reflect on the past four years, we'd like to highlight key priorities identified in 2020 that have seen progress:

• Improved contract clarity and process updates (e.g., new CRM and consultant handbook).
• Digitization of curriculum to support virtual work.
• Clearer payment processes for consultants.
• Expansion into new spaces like policy, family, and food security.
• Enhanced marketing efforts for storytelling and legacy recording.
• Ongoing content updates to modernize language and curriculum.
• Consistent focus on values alignment to ensure VISIONS models transparency and diversity.

While progress has been steady, we acknowledge ongoing improvements based on insights from the December 2023 Community Questions and reiterate VISIONS’ commitment to continuous growth.

Key Legislative Updates

1. 4136 – The “Nonprofit Killer” Bill

This bill, originally HR 9495, could allow the administration to label nonprofits as “terrorist-supporting organizations” and strip their tax-exempt status without due process. It has passed in the House and is now in the Senate. Action Item: Call your Senators at (202) 225-3121, especially Majority Leader Charles Schumer, and urge them to oppose this bill. Mobilize outreach in Oregon, Washington, Rhode Island, and Maine.

1. 4516 – The “Dismantle DEI Act”
   Originally HR 8706, this bill aims to eliminate all federal DEI programs and funding. While it wouldn’t affect the private sector directly, its impact on federal agencies, contractors, and grants would be significant. VISIONS remains vigilant, monitoring legal developments and preparing messaging that focuses on root causes, not just language adjustments.

VISIONS’ Response and Planning

• The organization is proactively preparing for worst-case scenarios, including consultations with legal experts. If nonprofit status were revoked, VISIONS would revert to its original corporate structure while continuing its work.
• Rebranding efforts with Thinkso are ongoing to align VISIONS’ identity with its mission and impact.
• Elika is engaging with Boston-area nonprofit leaders and public sector partners to build coalitions that can support social justice organizations in the face of these legislative threats.

Some of you have asked for more information about the 40th anniversary, so I will share some of the information we have with you below.

Planning:

Being a non-native New Englander (or have anyone on board who is), the board and I decided to hire consultants to support the planning of the 40th anniversary event. We had determined to connect the 40th anniversary with the annual fall board retreat so that board members would not have to make the trip east twice in a month. The only dates available for all board members and founders fell on high holidays or specifically the Friday we held the event. Unfortunately, that landed on sabbath for those who observe and I will continue to account for that. 

The consultants helped identify venues that would be accessible to folks coming from out of town, as well as fit the number of attendees we expected. Invitations were sent out to the community for anyone to join the planning committee, and the initial kick off meeting was held in September 2023. After a list of venues were shared, and I visited a few options, the decision between the JFK Library and State Room was made through the planning committee. The next decision was to find a hotel for folks who may have accessibility needs to consider or may not want to rent a car, feel comfortable using public transportation, etc.–and mainly one close by the venue. It was not our intent to have the Marriott Long Wharf hotel be the only option, and instead just one option for those who may be interested. It also allowed us to hold the strategic planning meeting and board retreat sessions in one location.

The cost of the tickets was initially determined by the consultants who primarily work with nonprofits in the Boston area. I admit I thought it may be high not being familiar with Boston prices, either. However, a few colleagues in the Boston area also confirmed it would not be too expensive for many. The internal cost was also checked in with a few of our younger/newer consultants, including CAC. Once these affirmations were received, we shared the prices with our community. When I sent the email with the two costs (external and internal), my intent was not what a few folks shared was their impact. I account for my words landing as if we were doing anyone a favor for the “discount”. Additionally, we shared that if the cost would be too high, we would like to know so that

we can support attendance. There were several folks who requested support, and we were able to do so.

We’d only heard from one person in the community by mid-summer with feedback, and then only a couple more afterward. It was around August when we started to hear more questions from the community.

 

Event:

Who was in the room at the VISIONS 40th Event

Such a beautiful tapestry of individuals!

 

Post-40th:

Check out what others had to say about the event: Strokes

By most all counts, the event felt like a success! I hope those of you who were in attendance can also feel joy when remembering the evening. I know there were different feelings about the event. I appreciate the willingness to share negative conditional strokes in addition to the positive. Thank you for taking the time to process these thoughts together as a community.

I will continue to share how much I appreciate all who were involved in making the event a success, especially several staff who are still in need of restoring energy after this past year of planning! 

In terms of impact from the friend/fundraising, please see below:

• 206 tickets were sold
• 97 names were new in our CRM (Salesforce)
• 88 names were new affiliations to VISIONS

From those who were new to VISIONS, the administrative team has been meeting with dozens of folks since. At the moment, in terms of potential business opportunities:

• 4 have moved to more formal inquiries
• 3 have shared interest in our Institute
• 1 potential new board member (currently a community member on board committee)
• 2 potential partnerships
• 2 new grant opportunities
• 3 media outlets covered the event

Fundraising results

• Sponsorships: $109,500 (24 sponsors)
• Ticket sales: $16,400
• Donations: $11,948.21 
• Werkman Family Scholarship: $25,000 (over 5 years)

Total: $137,848.21

Caveats:

• 16 free tickets provided to internal community
• 14 tickets provided to founders (and accommodations), VIP, awardees

Total: $7500

Upcoming Events & Save the Dates

• Quarterly New England Gatherings: Starting in 2025.
• VISIONS Consultant Retreat: October 20–26, 2025, in the California Bay Area. Input on retreat logistics (dates, accessibility, childcare) is welcomed, and the planning committee invites new members to join. If you’d like to join the Retreat Planning Committee, please reach out to Jeanne (jfirfth@visions-inc.org). 

CFF Access Issue

• There is an ongoing issue with older CFF records imported from QuickBase into Salesforce. If you cannot access a reviewed CFF, email Amy Baker (abaker@visions-inc.org) for a copy. Newer CFFs entered directly into Salesforce are unaffected.

Device Security Reminder

• Ensure any device used to access VISIONS information has proper security settings, including:
  • Password/PIN protection.
  • Two-factor authentication for tools like Salesforce.

Administrative Reminders

• B&Es submitted after December 10th will be processed in the following month.
• Update your mailing and bank account information in Gusto to ensure timely tax document delivery.

Communication and Engagement

• VISIONS is exploring new communication methods, including texting, to better reach members who may not regularly check email. Feedback on this proposal is encouraged through this survey link.

Industry Marketing Groups

• Jeanne, with support from John Maudlin, is reaching out this month about creating industry groups that can assist in advising marketing strategy for key sectors we want to prioritize for VISIONS work (such as higher education, HR, faith communities, corporations).

Thinkso

• Thinkso is finalizing their branding refresh recommendations – thanks for all the input from so so many of you! Excited to share and roll out materials in the new year.