Skill Practice Session: Relationship Building 1:1 (2026)

True power in movements come from the people, and the relationships we build with one another. Relationships based on shared values spark action and commitment, the engine of our organizing work.

And at the heart of effective relationship building lies a powerful practice: the 1:1 meeting. It’s what differentiates organizing from mobilizing, and transformative connections from transactional interactions. They turn strangers into allies, fuel shared purpose, and unlock the collective power hidden within your community.

Want to master this powerful tactic? Join us for an interactive workshop where we’ll dive deep into relation building and jump on the bike to practice 1:1 meetings with other members.

In this session, you’ll deep dive into the craft of relational 1:1 meetings and put them into practice. This is your chance to hone a skill that transforms relationships into the foundation for impactful movements and campaigns.

This session will be led by Sergio Lopez.

Member-only

Start Date
Mar 18, 2026
1:00 PM ET
End Date
Mar 18, 2026
2:30 PM ET

Reserve

Speakers and Presenters

Sergio Lopez

Sergio Lopez is a husband, a father, and faith-based organizer from Southern California. Sergio serves as the National Director of Mission and Leadership Formation for Catholics in Communion, a collaborative of 60 Catholic social ministry organizations that are working together to galvanize public and prophetic leadership in the U.S. Catholic Church. Sergio is a trainer and coach with the Leading Change Network, teaches pastoral leadership at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles, and specializes in the areas of leadership development and faith-based organizing.

Key Learning Points

Understand why relationship building is a key organizing practice and how it enables the scaling of organizing efforts in a campaign.
Recognize how 1:1 meetings are a tool for building, establishing, maintaining and growing relationships in organizing, based on shared interests, values and resources
Understand how 1:1 meetings are structured and used to foster trust and commitment.
Practice a 1:1 meeting, and get feedback, so that you strengthen your ability to conduct 1:1 conversations that build power for social change.

Questions &
Answers

This session is exclusive for LCN members and their guests (team members, etc.) who are looking for opportunities to grow their organizing skills, connect with others in the community, and be part of a transformative learning experience. If you are not yet an LCN member, we invite you to join our community here.

Yes please! LCN members can bring up to 3 people as guests. We want our skill practice sessions to be a space where you can build the collective organizing capacity of your teams and organizations, because we know that is critical to the success of campaigns. Invite members of your team and community to practice essential organizing skills togetherーyou can register on their behalf by writing their names and emails on the registration form.

Relationships are the foundation of any successful movement. When we build strong relationships with our fellow activists, we create a sense of solidarity, shared values and shared purpose that can endure through both good and bad times.

A 1:1 meeting is a strategic conversation used to forge powerful connections and mobilize collective action.

It is a conversation with one other person aimed at:

Uncovering shared values and goals: Through storytelling and active listening, you’ll delve beyond surface-level talk to discover what truly motivates each other.
Building trust and understanding: By sharing personal experiences and perspectives, you’ll create a space for genuine connection and mutual respect.
Mapping out a path for action: Instead of vague intentions, you’ll collaboratively develop action steps and mobilize new resources that turn conversation into tangible progress.
Strengthening the movement’s fabric: Each successful 1:1 meeting becomes a thread woven into the larger network of relationships that fuels a movement’s power.

Yes, the space is limited to 30 seats. Please register early to reserve your spot. If you are unable to attend, please let us know so we can offer your spot to someone else.

This session is exclusively for LCN members and their guests. You can access the registration form by signing in with your members account or joining as a member.

Sign up

The member sign up form is coming soon. In the meantime, if you're a LCN member, please contact sachiko.osawa@leadingchangenetwork.org to access free tickets.