So, I was going to wait until the end of the day to put up another blog about the Leadership Academy retreat in Connecticut. But this conversation is too interesting to me not to document and post right away: Fellows are debating Young People For's place on the ideology spectrum. The spectrum, most simplistically interpreted, is plotted this way (Left to Right): Radical, Systemic, Liberal, Neo Liberal, Conservative, Far Right.

For the record, Young People For's Theory of Change and strategies were developed from a systemic ideological framework. It's interesting that even staff in this room find it difficult to categorize YP4. For me, this is a call to action- not to define YP4's ideology, but to evlaute our strategies in light of how transparent, effective and clear we are about seeking to effect systemic change.

Here are some of the comments fellows made:

1. We are facilitating people's ability to analyze and implement strategies across the spectrum (well, to the left of conservative at least). YP4 is working toward a progressive, indeed liberal, vision. We are working to ensure that young people are able to realize the ideal's that this country was founded on. Importantly, we are solutions-based.

2. YP4's Strategy= Liberal; YP4's Ideology= Systemic

3. We couldn't pick one- looking at either systemic or liberal; Because we have a larger parent organization that is liberal, the framework is muddled . The goal is systemic (we are trying to change society) but the strategies are liberal (because we empower people to do what they want to do).