Dear ILI Alumni,
It's hard to believe that nearly three weeks have passed since many of us gathered on campus for the ILI Alumni Reunion & Exploration Session. It was so wonderful to see so many of you, and to witness the interactions between alumni cohorts, the current cohort, and prospective fellows.
In addition to connecting, we also heard from a fantastic lineup of speakers during an academic engagement session and two Inspiring Conversations sessions. For those who couldn't attend - the first of these Inspiring Conversations recordings, "Reimagining Fulfillment During Midlife and Beyond," is now available on ThinkND. The second session, "Bringing Purpose to Life," will be published on December 14th.
During our ILI alumni update session, our ILI team shared the results of the summer survey you completed, and outlined the types of engagement we will plan for the future based on that feedback. (You can view the slides from that presentation below.) Additionally, we were thrilled to announce our first official ILI alumni trip, a Border Immersion, scheduled to take place in May 2024. Please take some time to review the details in this newsletter and visit the website to register for what is sure to be a powerful immersion experience with your fellow ILI alumni and guests! Finally, we spent some time co-creating and brainstorming ideas for the future of our ILI Affinity (Interest & Impact) Groups. This newsletter also provides a summary of that session for those who weren't able to attend.
In addition to those sessions, and in true ILI fashion, there was plenty of time spent socializing and eating! No ILI event is complete without sharing time together over food and drink, and we were treated to wonderful receptions at Seven on 9 at Notre Dame Stadium (with a stadium tour beforehand) and Ironhand Winery in South Bend.
We ended our time on campus together with a sunny (but chilly) tailgate on Saturday, then many of us were able to watch the Irish football team defeat Pittsburgh. It was the perfect end to a whirlwind of a copule days! (We've included a few pictures from the weekend below - more to come once we receive the professional ones from our photographer!)
If you were not able to join us on campus, we hope that this newsletter will get you "up to speed" on the exciting engagement opportunities to come - and that you will consider joining us in South Texas and Monterrey, Mexico in May!
Of course - we can't let this time of year pass without sharing our gratitude for each of you and how your engagement with ILI has helped make it what it is today. From the ILI leadership team - we wish you and your families a wonderful Thanksgiving!
Best,
Emily & Alison
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From May 20-24, 2024 we will be heading to the US/Mexico border!
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-Learn from experts in migration and be immersed in the rich culture of the Rio Grande Valley
-Put values of kinship and accompaniment into action
-Reconnect with your ILI community in reflection and fellowship
Read more about Sister Norma Pimentel, M.J. and engaging with Catholic Charities of the Rio Grande Valley here.
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To view the trip flyer, click here.
Early-Bird Registration ends December 20. Learn more and Register Today!
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Hello ILI Alumni,
What a reunion! It was a pleasure to see all of you and to experience the energy you brought to every part of the weekend. The affinity group session was nothing short of amazing. The room was energized as our incredible fellows from the first four cohorts connected over shared interests and passions. It was a remarkable experience, and it's only the beginning!
In this section, we will recap the session and give a plan for moving forward and beginning our affinity groups.
Before the weekend, we identified a few trends by reviewing the data from the pre-survey and the session. The largest interest can be seen in the chart below:
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During our affinity group session, we used this data to break into 10 different groups and begin conversations on what the groups might do. The enthusiasm that flowed from these first meetings was genuinely electric. The most prominent groups formed during the alumni weekend were around the ideas of Social Justice, Housing, Board Leadership, the Writer’s Club, and our wonderful “other” group. And the best part is, this is just the start of something much bigger. We're diving headfirst into expanding these affinity groups, creating a vibrant tapestry of connections and shared purpose.
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The First 5 Groups
Given the interest from the form and the brainstorming session, along with the goal of starting small to ensure we understand what these affinity groups will look like, we propose beginning with the following 5 interest groups:
Writer's Club: Whether you're a seasoned author or love crafting words, this group is your space. Share your stories, exchange writing tips, and ignite your creativity with like-minded wordsmiths. Some ideas from the initial brainstorming session were reading & editing groups, creating ILI fellow bios, and assisting the ILI office with writing projects. The group discussed meeting biweekly via Zoom Call.
Board Leadership Club: This group is for those looking to make a significant impact at the organizational level and wanting to dive into discussions about effective leadership, governance, and strategic decision-making with fellow leaders. The affinity group session led to plans to advise new board members and discuss the best practices for finding boards to join, what roles and responsibilities a board member must assume, and potential partnerships with the idea center. The group talked about meeting biweekly via Zoom Call.
Affordable Housing Impact Group: Join forces with those passionate about creating real change in our communities. Discuss ideas, collaborate on projects, and work towards making affordable housing a reality for all, especially for Veterans. Over the reunion weekend, this group spoke of many of the efforts they were already making in this space. Further, the group shared plans to find and discuss new information, visit housing projects, and connect with LEO and Tunnel to Towers. The group discussed meeting monthly via Zoom Call.
Social Justice Interest Group: Amplify your commitment to social justice by connecting with others who share your passion. Through discussions of current issues and the history of the structures that helped shape current events, be part of a community striving for a fair and equitable world. This group is a combination of a few groups that spoke to the breadth of issues that include but are not limited to racial justice, equity in education, sustainability, human trafficking, and immigration. The group discussed sharing and discussing books or articles, starting a speaker series with leaders in the field, and even forming smaller groups within the group on the more specific topics. The group discussed meeting biweekly via Zoom Call.
Book Club: Jump into your next favorite book with the ILI Book Club. Help determine the reading list for the semester, read brilliant authors, and learn from the insights of fellow alumni. The group discussed selecting a book (or movie) for every quarter and then meeting virtually. They talked about rotating who chooses the media and leads the discussion. Further, there were discussions of inviting professors, authors, or topic experts to bring a deeper perspective to the meetings.
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Plan For Moving Forward:
In the coming weeks, we'll send detailed instructions on how to learn more, join, and launch these affinity groups. Whether you're a writer at heart, a boardroom enthusiast, a housing advocate, a social justice warrior, or a reading champion, there's a place for you in these growing communities.
And don't worry if you don't see your specific interest covered yet – we will continue to roll out more groups in the near future. Stay tuned for details on how you can shape the next wave of our affinity groups.
Let's keep the momentum from the alumni weekend and turn these connections into lasting change. Together, we're forging a path toward a brighter and more impactful future.
Stay Inspired,
Joe Drey & the ILI Leadership Team
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As a reminder, we are now accepting applications for our 6th cohort (which begins August 2024). We have two upcoming application deadlines for those interested in joining the 6th cohort, listed below:
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Round 2: January 10
Round 3: March 1
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ILI holds Virtual Exploration Sessions throughout the year via Zoom. There is one session remaining for this cycle, which will be on Tuesday, February 6 at 11:00 am. We invite you to refer a fellow to attend the February Virtual Exploration Session below. Our team will reach out to any referrals and invite them to attend or connect with us otherwise. Thank you! |
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Sacred Stories of Notre Dame |
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During the upcoming season of Advent, the Notre Dame Alumni Association invites you to join the Notre Dame family of faith as we ready our hearts and make way for the joy of Christmas.
Each day during Sacred Stories of Notre Dame, you can receive a daily video reflection featuring alumni, students, faculty, and staff as they share some of their most sacred and meaningful moments and invite us to prayerfully consider where we see the sacred at work in our own lives. These stories range from tales of life-changing experiences in the classroom and moments of stillness at the Grotto to the power of family memory and unforgettable rectors. All invite us to strengthen our faith and deepen our appreciation for our beloved campus community.
Check out the information from the NDAA website at the link below.
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