Let's talk about power

Today, November 5, marks exactly three years since I began ChangeOut. Here's a butterfly to celebrate.

October and November seem quite a popular months to set up new businesses. What is it with autumns and new beginnings?

This week I was honoured to speak on a panel for #ACEVOfest21 alongside the excellent Sufina Ahmad and Tim Naor Hilton. Our topic was Giving Power - Knowing when to step up and when to step aside. We had a fascinating discussion about our various experiences wielding and observing power in the voluntary sector. It'll be available to watch over on ACEVO's web site.

I'm so proud to read that my friend, Shaista Aziz, is one of six shortlisted finalists in HOPE Not Hate’s heroes campaign focused on people and projects building resilience against hate in their communities. This is for all her amazing, principled anti-racism work and The Three Hijabis campaign to ban racists from football after the Euro finals.

Vote, Shaista! 🗳

The closing date is 4pm on 12th November.

Interesting and useful links 🖇️

I pitched an idea for an article to an actual editor and he published it!

I was sad, but not surprised, to read how the people who really need to be at COP 26 are being excluded from COP 26.

And here's another plug for the Transgender Issue by Shon Faye. It really is worth reading.

Learning points 🎓

I was reflecting this week on the different ways I'm asked to submit proposals and the different ways people find me, and the inherent power dynamics between potential client and potential supplier, but also in how people identify some suppliers, not others, in the first place. Power imbalances and power hoarding everywhere!

Day of the Week 📆

It's Trustees Week and it was good to see lots of charities celebrating and thanking their trustees.

What am I reading? 📚

Primo Levi's Survival in Auschwitz. The writing is incredible, even if the content is horrendous. Not sure whether I recommend it, but please don't shy away from it.

What am I watching? 👀

Season 3 of Succession has started.

Thankfully you cannot watch it all in one binge. Because it will be sad when it's finished.

What am I listening to? 👂

I was reading about Eva Cassidy who died 25 years ago this week.

Have a listen to her Somewhere Over the Rainbow

Joy-giving things 😍

I hadn't been able to eat Fruit Pastilles for 30 years because they contained gelatine.

Down with beef or pork in sweets ✊🏼

Have a lovely weekend

Lucy x

I write this newsletter because I believe in sharing progressive ideas that help us work towards a truly equal world.

Share it with your friends so they can read it too 📣

Thank you!

ChangeOut is created by Lucy Caldicott. You can find more about my work at ChangeOut.org. If you’re looking to have a chat about culture, leadership, purpose, equity, or a facilitated team discussion about any of those things, get in touch. You can also find me on Bluesky, Instagram, and, LinkedIn.

If it’s your first time reading this newsletter, find out more here.