Rooted Together: Practical Mindfulness to Ground, Protect & Renew

with Anna Miller from Mindfulness Works

This session offers a practical and trauma-sensitive approach to help staff stay grounded, connected, and effective together.

Self care will be presented as essential maintenance rather than something extra; a strength, rather than simply permissible. For professionals in advocacy and human services, self care is an essential professional skill. The work is often intense emotional labor, and to prevent overwhelm or burnout, this must be balanced with sustaining practices.

Aligned with the conference theme Rooted Together, this session focuses on mindfulness as a shared skill set that strengthens team culture, mutual care, and sustainable impact. Participants learn simple, evidence-based tools they can apply in real time—during difficult conversations, moments of overwhelm, and transitions between tasks. Also included are boundary practices to avoid burnout and support work life balance. These practices help teams maintain personal well-being while continuing to show up for those they serve.

The key message: Self care is an essential professional skill and mindfulness gives us tools to practice that fit into our busy lives. Sustainable service requires supporting both the community and the people who serve it.

A common challenge this addresses: Many nonprofit workers experience burnout, compassion fatigue, and turnover—especially in roles supporting vulnerable populations. Staff are experiencing high stress levels without adequate capacity to process and manage this.

This session offers realistic micro-practices and cultural shifts that empower individuals and teams to protect their emotional energy, maintain boundaries, and nurture resilience so they can continue to do this important work for the long haul.