ILDC Chaplaincy & Community organizing Initiative

The ILDC Leadership Initiative, now known as the ILDC Chaplaincy & Community Organizing Initiative, was created in 2007 to enhance the role of leaders in revitalizing ILDC communities. The initiative develops, coordinates and implements strategies to support the ILDC network's core value of community-led leadership development.

The Initiative works to support Chaplaincy and community organizing strategies, strengthen Muslim leadership development, and build the capacity of local leaders and associations in local organizations. This work is done through grants, technical assistance, and training for network members; and other efforts that expand the reach of ILDC programs and systems to support imam leadership and Chaplaincy development.

The initiative provides training and support to community organizers and other Chaplaincy staff within the ILDC network through a biannual Chaplaincy Symposium, technical assistance, tools, and networking opportunities. The initiative also provides training to resident leaders through Community Leadership Institutes and other training events.

Taken together, these efforts and events provide powerful venues for coalescing community leaders around critical issues and enhancing their potential to create positive change.

Goals of the Chaplaincy & Community organizing Initiative

• Using the mechanisms of the ILDC network to encourage local ILDC organizations to develop their constituencies or membership, train constituents/members in the competencies of active and effective citizenship and leadership, and engage constituents in member-driven community-change efforts.
• Through program development and research, to develop replicable models for best practices in:
  • Integrating Chaplaincy and community organizing and leadership into the business lines of ILDC organizations;
  • Developing Chaplaincy and community organizing workplans;
  • Developing measures and documentation systems for Chaplaincy and community organizing and leadership development;
  • Developing the organizational structures and practices needed for effective community participation.
• To generate resources for genuine community organizing and leadership development for ILDC organizations.
• To promote the goals of Chaplaincy and leadership development internally within ILDC America and throughout the ILDC network.