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CommUnity Leadership Institute
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Participant Alex Gaytan and CLI Youth Ally Jack Rivas participate in an ice-breaker excersize at CLI 2012.
What if the leaders of tomorrow could start the work today? Let's go! We are excited to announce the 2013 CommUnity Leadership Institute (CLI).
Young people, schools, and organizations are invited to bring together teams of 4-8 youth to build their knowledge and sharpen their skills for social justice at CLI. Just Communities will work with the teams and their sponsoring school or organization to focus in on areas for social change and to create the more equitable communities we want to live in. Participants will build awareness of and take action for racial justice, gender justice, economic justice, and LGBTQ equity.
This year's CLI will be take place:
August 3rd - 10th at Dunn School in Los Olivos. Applications are now available and can be downloaded here.
For questions about this year's institute, please call Alan Goff at 805.966.2063 or email at agoff@just-communities.org.
Language and Social Justice
A Pop Quiz!

Celeste Pracale practices simultaneous interpretation at the Interpreting for Social Justice Workshop in August 2012 (Right)
"The limits of my language mean the limits of my world."
Ludwig Wittgenstein, 1921
To create the world we envision - one where all people are connected, respected, and valued - we must learn to connect across differences of language. Language access ensures that everyone's voices are included in the process of community change, and can help us create diverse, multi-issue movements capable of transforming our society. Just Communities will offer two trainings this spring about interpreting and social justice. But creating inclusive multilingual space doesn't just depend on interpreters.
Are you an ally for language justice? Test your knowledge and find out what you can do!
1. Simultaneous interpretation was first developed and used during what historical event?
a.The founding conference of the United Nations in 1945
b.The Nuremberg Trials of Nazi War Criminals in 1945-6
c.The founding of the International Monetary Fund at the Bretton Woods Conference in 1945
2. __________ refers to the oral or visual relaying of a message between source and target languages.
a.Translation
b.Transliteration
c. Interpretation
3. Two interpreters should be scheduled to work together as a team for any event more than ____ hour(s) in length.
a.1 hour
b.2 hours
c.4 hours
4. An inclusive multilingual event is incomplete without
a.Time at beginning for interpreters to explain the interpretation process
b.Comprehensive translation of all written materials
c.Room set-up and activities that integrate people who speak different languages
d.All of the above
5.True or False: Any bilingual meeting attendee can serve as an interpreter for other participants.
What's coming up for the Language Justice Initiative?
This spring, Just Communities will offer two sessions of the Interpreting for Social Justice Workshop, one for Ventura County and one for staff members of the Santa Barbara Unified School District (SBUSD). This 2.5-day workshop is for experienced and aspiring interpreters who want to build their skills and explore how interpretation is connected to movements for social justice. The workshop is unique and engaging - as a past participant said, "From the first activity until the closing circle I can honestly say I've never had a more eye-opening, thought-provoking and life-changing experience."
The Ventura County Workshop will take place:
Friday, March 15th -Sunday, March 17th.
The SBUSD Workshop will take place:
Wednesday, April 24th - Friday, April 16th.
For more information, please contact:
Alena Marie: amarie@just-communities.org or (805) 259-6190
Pop Quiz Answers Answers
1. b. The Nuremberg Trials. Although earlier versions of simultaneous interpretation had been employed, a system was developed at the Nuremberg Trials in 1945-6 that allowed for unscripted simultaneous interpretation into four languages. Following its success, the United National General Assembly soon experimented with the same system.
2. c. Interpretation
3. a. 1 hour. Team interpreters switch off everyone 20 minutes, as research shows that interpreter accuracy declines after 20 minutes without a break.
4. d. All of the above.
5. False. Interpretation requires a specialized skill-set. An interpreter should not participate, facilitate, or take on any other role in a meeting besides interpreting.
More Language Justice Opportunities...
Just Communities coordinates the Language Justice Network, which takes action and provides resources for makingour community linguistically equitable for all. For more info, click here.
For more information about the Language Justice Initiative, including training for your organization or school about Creating Inclusive Multilingual Space, click here.
Meet Our Board
Joshua Moon Johnson

"I choose to commit my time and energy to Just Communities because it truly makes a difference in the lives of our community members. Just Communities looks at the diverse needs of the Central Coast and strives to create opportunities and access where we all can feel safe, included, and can succeed. As an educator I am honored to be a part of an organization that strives to make a difference in the lives of all who are disenfranchised."
Just Desserts 2013
Celebrating the Sweetnes of Diversity
Save the Date for Just Communities event of the year!
September 8, 2013
2:00pm-5:00pm
Tickets:
Early bird- $45.00
After August 28th- $55.00
We invite you to join us for an afternoon of: specialty desserts from local pastry chefs, Central Coast wine, live music, & silent auction. All from the beautiful rooftop patio at Antioch University.
To purchase your early bird tickets or learn more click here
Sponsorship options also available. For more information on how to get involved with Just Desserts contact Liz Weinstein 805.966.2063 or eweinstein@just-communities.org
IEE Dates Announced
June 24th-28th 2013
Spots are currently available for Just Communities Institute for Equity in Education (IEE) 2013. IEE is a 4.5-day residential workshop for educators in California's Central Coast. IEE helps teachers, counselors, administrators, parents, and other school and district staff increase their understanding of how race, socio-economic class, and individual and system-wide bias affect the learning environment.
This year's IEE will take place:
June 24th-28th 2013
La Casa de Maria Retreat Center
For more information click here
Attention CLI Grads!
Just Communities is Hiring!
Just Communities is looking for a driven and creative CLI graduate to work in our office part time this summer.
2013 marks the 10 year anniversary of The CommUnity Leadership Institute and we have some big plans! But we need your help to implement them.