BOARD SPOTLIGHT: STACEY DARAIO

"There is not a corner of our planet, not a system, not an individual that does not need ICA methods... We are standing at a tipping point and need to make a decision for ourselves about how to help our planet, our communities, our fellow humans. We need to come together, stand in our wisdom and contribute to a better way. The ICA methods are the engine that helps us do just that."

Stacey Daraio joined the ICA Board of Directors in January, 2019, is a certified ToP trainer, and works with the Center for Strategic Facilitation and Temescal Associates in Oakland, California.​

Tell us about yourself: what do you do and where are you based?
I am a facilitator and trainer in the San Francisco Bay Area. I have spent the majority of my career working with nonprofit organizations that work with young people in the non-school hours. I have been fortunate to work with communities, evaluators, researchers, and funders to create systems of support for youth and those that work with them.

How did you first encounter ICA?
I was first introduced to the ICA through the Technology of Participation (ToP) methods in 2006. At that time I was the Deputy Director of the Community Network for Youth Development. We had just received a collaborative grant to provide technical assistance to youth-serving organizations in the city of San Francisco. My collaborative partner told me that she thought it would be a good idea if we created a work plan. She said that their organization works with a woman who could help us with the work plan. I was skeptical—did we need someone to help us with a work plan? But being the good collaborator that I am, I kept that opinion to myself and said, "Sure!" Next she told me that we would be having an eight hour meeting. Eight hours? I breathed and said, "Sounds great!" In about a week or so, I received an email with some questions to answer. They were not difficult questions. I was also asked to write my answers on half sheets of paper and bring them with me to the meeting. I walked into our meeting with my proverbial arms crossed over my chest. I was not sanguine. Much to my surprise and delight we had an incredibly productive eight hours. We did end up with a work plan, but much more importantly, we understood each others’ organizations, we created a vision for the project, and we got to know each other in meaningful ways.

The person running that meeting? That was ToP trainer Jane Stallman. Jane invited me to a ToP training, then another, then another, until I was certified and training the methods. Jane is a big supporter of ICA. It is through her that I gained a deep appreciation of the work of those that came before me. And it is because of her that I am now a board member.

What makes ICA unique?
One of the things that makes ICA unique is the way they approach and do their work. All their processes are grounded in deep study in multiple fields and applied practically in real world situations.

Where are ICA methods needed in the world today?
There is not a corner of our planet, not a system, not an individual that does not need ICA methods. One of my learnings is that the way we introduce courses today is the same way they were introduced in the past. A portrait is painted of where we are in the development of our human consciousness. We are standing at a tipping point and need to make a decision for ourselves about how to help our planet, our communities, our fellow humans. We need to come together, stand in our wisdom and contribute to a better way. The ICA methods are the engine that helps us do just that.