The Relational Cadre is a diverse group of humans who are invited to explore aspects of a central theme through the lens of Relational Cultural Theory (RCT). Using an unconference format, participants will be provided a prompt encompassing this year’s theme—Caring—that will be discussed in small breakout groups, sharing those insights when returning to the larger group. Cadre members are encouraged to apply the theme to their own interests, expertise, and projects between sessions.
As we spend the next few months deeply considering the nature of caring and exposing ourselves to how caring and sometimes uncaring shows up in our professions, interests, and elsewhere, our hope is that Cadre members are able to bring their own skills, knowledge, and abilities to share with others and connect RCT to the diversity of passions thriving in our community.
Participants do not need a pre-existing understanding of RCT. We are asking them to serve only with the knowledge, skills, and abilities they already have. That includes helping us translate RCT terminology into the language of their profession or passion, intentionally connecting RCT concepts to any relevant research and practices used in their field. We are hopeful they will be able to use RCT to gain new perspectives on challenges they or their organization are facing.
What We Ask Of You
- Attend five Cadre sessions in September-February
- Help hold space for one of the Bloomington Center for Connection Progress Groups, which we hope will meet once per month as a working group. The purpose of a Progress Group is to further RCT understanding, or apply RCT in ongoing projects, centered around a particular area of focus: Cherishing, Gaming, Imagining, Learning, Communicating, Serving, or Believing.
What You Will Get From Us
- Gain free admission to our annual Relational Summit on March 31 and April 1, 2023
- Enjoy your own set of RCT Toybox cards, capturing many of the concepts of RCT
- Learn and expand your understanding of Relational Cultural Theory
On Caring
In a general sense, caring indicates a kindness and concern towards others. We are diving into caring as a practice of deep openheartedness to others, in particular, marginalized populations. This year’s Cadre will offer support to those working in caring professions as well as anyone interested in caring as a relational-cultural practice across disciplines, exploring both the one-to-one caring connections and the cultural containers that support and challenge our ability to care.
We are diving into caring as a practice of deep openheartedness to others, in particular, marginalized populations.
Why Should You Care About RCT?
RCT does not view privilege and social injustices as an “add-on” approach to our life and work but as critical in understanding and navigating them. RCT posits that issues of power imbalance and oppression are central to any therapeutic understanding and intervention. RCT does not exist to provide cultural competence; it is here to dismantle our internalized structural oppression and the ways we contribute to it broadly.
Does this intrigue you? Look through the application form for more information, including the schedule of our unconferences. You are welcome to “clear form” at the end if you want to work through the pages but aren’t ready to commit just yet.
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