Art of Convening Core-May 2019

AoC Session 6 preparation

Hello Conveners,

Reflecting on Session 5, we had the awareness of the "arc of recognition" during our call; an experience of being seen in my essence while witnessing each of you in yours. An amazing, yet possible, occurrence via virtual communication over distance and time.

We really appreciated the Case Study presentations from Cecily, Rosie, Irene. The video is now posted for review.

Preparation for Session 6, 7/17:

Complete reading Chapter 9: Commitment to Action.

- Transitions [up to 3 min ea.] Cecily, Julie
Transition Exercises
Shining A Light: Transitions

- Case Studies [10 min ea.] Erin, Stephanie, Kory

*PRESENTERS: 
- come 10 minutes early to test your computers/audio/screen share
- practice your timing: 10 minutes each which includes giving background and following the Wheel
- any questions or coaching requests? contact Craig at [email protected]

*PARTICIPANTS:
- please arrive 5 minutes early to test your computers & audio.

Partners: a reminder connect sooner than later to debrief your experiences while the memory is fresh.

Thank you for your commitment to gaining convening skills! 

Craig & Patricia

A question from Debra on Creation. Your ideas are welcome.

Use the Comments link below the post to add your response.

 

Hi Craig, Patricia,
I am rereading the Creation chapter and have a question about the appearance of group-think instead of authenticity. How do you recognize and then bring up the possibility that what may sound like authenticity isn't?  This question occurs to me with this passage:

"This is a time when a participant may challenge the direction of the group or the authority of the Convener. The Convener may bring the conversation back to the center, or remind the participants of the context, protocols, and agreements, while honoring dissent within a container of freedom. The important role for the Convener at this time is to protect the integrity of the container, reinforce the context, and notice the creation that is emerging."

In one instance, I was in an emergent dialog practice group and it was difficult to perceive, say, and then explain that my sense was we were not in this zone.  There seemed to be a performance pressure among us that kept up too careful.  How can we have a more robust version of the container?

This interests me because of the spiritual groups I have been in where things are supposed to be 'wonderful' on some level and whatnot.  Anyway, I would love to hear your thoughts and experience with this at some point!

Thank you,
Debra

Case Studies & Case Study Reflections

As we receive your Case Studies, we will post for all to enjoy and learn from. They are all wonderful! 
After you present your Case Study, please add your reflections here:

AoC Core May-July 2019-Case Study Reflections

Tami PDF

Margaret 

Irene

Cecily PDF

Rosie PDF

Erin

Stephanie

Kory

Julie

Debra

YI

AoC Session 5 Preparation: Creation

Hello Conveners:

Thank you for an engaging 4th session! The Zoom recording is ready for viewing. Thanks to Tom for co-convening with us, and thanks again to Tami and Margaret for kicking off the Case Study presentations.

In Session 5 we'll continue our exploration of the Convening Wheel through Chapter 8 and the next Case Studies.

Preparation for Session 5 

1. Transitions [2-3 min ea.] Debra, Stephanie
Transition Exercises
Shining A Light: Transitions  


2. Homework Chapter 8

Creation: Something new that emerges from engagements of shared purpose and trust

Please review: 
o Arc of Recognition (page 118-121) 
o Essential Questions, Aspect-Strengthening Exercises, Journaling Questions (page 137-140)  

3. Case Studies
Our Case Study presentations will begin with this session. Rosie, Cecily and Irene will present their case studies followed by a modified Council Process.

Presenter: Each presenter will have 10 minutes to share their Case Study. Begin by sharing the title of your engagement and then take us through the 9 steps or Aspects in sequence.

Council: During the presentations, each of you will be listening, seeking to understand and to be of service. We suggest to take notes by hand.

Responders: 3 Responders each have 2 minutes to speak to clarifications, reflections or questions.

If you have any questions about developing your Case Study, please contact Craig at [email protected].


4. Partner Pairs
A reminder to meet with your partner between now and next session.

With gratitude,

Patricia & Craig

Your Convening Presence: Best Practices for Transitions, Case Studies & Session Contributions

We're now at the halfway point of the training.....

You have had or will have an opportunity to actively participate in a variety of ways:

• Hearing all the voices- (Stringing the Beads- STB) 
• Breakout groups,
• Community Circle,
• Offering a Transition,
• Case Study presentations.

Best practices to keep in mind when engaged in sharing during the sessions:

• Consider brevity: What few words convey the most in a short period of time- what is at the heart of the matter?
• Practice timing: We have created more "formal" practice fields of timed offerings with Transitions, STB & Case Study presentations where you are given a specified amount of time to speak.

Case Study or Transition best practices:

• *Read your presentation out loud
• Use a timer (such as the stopwatch on your phone)
• Edit accordingly.

*Reading out loud vs. practicing in your mind is very different exercise and often yields a different outcome.

Transitions
Transition Exercises
Shining a Light: The Art of Transitions
The Art of Transitions: Boost Your Emotional Intelligence

AoC Session 4: Essential Conversation, Creation

Hello Conveners:

Thank you for a rich 3rd call! The Zoom recording is ready for viewing.

In Session 4 we'll continue our exploration of the Convening Wheel with Aspects 7: Essential Conversation, and 8: Creation.

1. Preparation for Session 4 

- Transitions [2-3 min ea.]  Irene, Kory
Transition Exercises   |  Shining A Light: Transitions  
*if your transition is longer than 2-3 minutes, please contact Craig to plan into the schedule

- Homework  Chapters 7 and 8    

Essential Conversation: Meaningful exchange within an atmosphere of trust
Creation: Something new that emerges from engagements of shared purpose and trust

Please review: 
o Aspect-Strengthening exercises (page 124-125)  

There are many levels of conversation: transactional to transformational.  

Recall a time when you engaged in a meaningful conversation in an atmosphere of trust. How was this different from other conversations?

2. Case Studies: Margaret, Tami
Begin or continue working on your Case Study practice application. [instructions can be found between Session 2 and 3.] 

Our Case Study presentations will begin with this session. Tami & Margaret will present their case studies followed by a modified Council Process.

Presenter: Each presenter will have 10 minutes to share their Case Study. Begin by sharing the title of your engagement and then take us through the 9 steps or Aspects in sequence.

Council: During their presentation each of us will be listening, seeking to understand and to be of service. We suggest to take notes by hand.

Responders: 3 Responders each have 2 minutes to speak to clarifications, reflections or questions.

3. Partner Pairs
Meet with your partner between now and next session. Resource: Guidelines for a Great Partner Call.

Thank you for your commitment to gaining convening skills!

Craig & Patricia 
 

Stretch

"Convening was, and is, one of the most powerful, life-altering forces in the universe....the art of convening energizes communities and stirs us to envision what might be possible." 
Foreword, The Art of Convening, by Richard Leider, author of The Power of Purpose

 

You are heading into the 3rd session of your training and looking to craft your Case Study/practice application. Presentations begin in Session 4. Our request is for you to really stretch the boundaries of your imagination to what is possible with the engagement you are designing.

Allow yourself to think and feel big, beyond the resignation of acceptance of the status quo, beyond what you already know, by dreaming of a positive future you wish to create with others. 

As you address each of the questions ask yourself how this meeting or conversation can transcend the ordinary and be a chance to transform the relationship. Your example may reflect an every day occurrence, yet how might you create the opportunity for it to be extraordinary?

Craig & Patricia

AoC Session 3: Creating the Container, Hearing All the Voices

Hello Conveners!

The 2nd session deepened our inquiry into the nature of convening and what it means to gather and "hold" people in a safe and generative space for the sake of authentic engagement and the highest possible outcome. Thanks again to Tom McSteen for being our co-convener.

Before moving on to Session 3, please add your Napkin Test responses to this Google doc: •The Napkin Test Results (Google doc) 

In Session 3 we continue our exploration of the Convening Wheel with Elements 5: Creating the Container, and 6: Hearing All the Voices. As Simon Sinek would ask, “WHY?” WHY does this matter? You have begun to answer that for yourself.

1. Preparation for Session 3

- Transitions [3 min ea.] Tami, Rosie
Transition Exercises -  Shining A Light: Transitions

- Homework: Read chapters 5 and 6

Creating the Container 
In designing physical spaces for human interaction, consider how you would bring aliveness to the engagement.

In designing an engagement to hold a safe field for the people involved, what agreements and protocols would you use?

Hearing all the Voices
How are you creating opportunities for authentic engagement, in which all the voices are heard, in your life and work? What have you noticed about the quality and outcomes of your engagements when the essence of the interchange has depth and meaning, as opposed to when it does not? Neither is right or wrong, but depends on your intention and outcomes desired.

2. Coaching sessions scheduling: between May 24 - Jun 14
https://calendly.com/centerfpl/45-minute-aoc-coaching-session

We are now scheduling 45-minute one-on-one coaching sessions with Craig. Purpose:
- answer convening questions
- prepare to develop your Case Study.

Please pick the date and time that works for you. All sessions will be via Zoom.  

 

3. Partner Pairs
Meet with your partner between now and next session. Use the Guidelines for a Great Partner Call as a resource.

 

With gratitude and wishes for a wonderful two weeks,

Craig & Patricia 

Hello Conveners!

The 2nd session deepened our inquiry into the nature of convening and what it means to gather and "hold" people in a safe and generative space for the sake of authentic engagement and the highest possible outcome. Thanks again to Tom McSteen for being our co-convener.

Before moving on to Session 3, please add your Napkin Test responses to this Google doc: •The Napkin Test Results (Google doc) 

In Session 3 we continue our exploration of the Convening Wheel with Elements 5: Creating the Container, and 6: Hearing All the Voices. As Simon Sinek would ask, “WHY?” WHY does this matter? You have begun to answer that for yourself.

1. Preparation for Session 3

- Transitions [3 min ea.] Tami, Rosie
Transition Exercises -  Shining A Light: Transitions

- Homework: Read chapters 5 and 6

Creating the Container 
In designing physical spaces for human interaction, consider how you would bring aliveness to the engagement.

In designing an engagement to hold a safe field for the people involved, what agreements and protocols would you use?

Hearing all the Voices
How are you creating opportunities for authentic engagement, in which all the voices are heard, in your life and work? What have you noticed about the quality and outcomes of your engagements when the essence of the interchange has depth and meaning, as opposed to when it does not? Neither is right or wrong, but depends on your intention and outcomes desired.

2. Coaching sessions scheduling: between May 24 - Jun 14
https://calendly.com/centerfpl/45-minute-aoc-coaching-session

We are now scheduling 45-minute one-on-one coaching sessions with Craig. Purpose:
- answer convening questions
- prepare to develop your Case Study.

Please pick the date and time that works for you. All sessions will be via Zoom.  

 

3. Partner Pairs
Meet with your partner between now and next session. Use the Guidelines for a Great Partner Call as a resource.

 

With gratitude and wishes for a wonderful two weeks,

Craig & Patricia 

Transitions and Case Study Schedule

Conveners, as part of your training each of you has the opportunity to offer a Transition exercise and a Case Study. Below is the schedule. 

Transitions				Case	Studies
Session 1 5/8	Patricia	Craig
Session 2 5/22	Margaret	Georgina
Session 3 6/5	Tami	Rosie
Session 4 6/19	Irene	Kory		Margaret	Tami	Georgina
Session 5 7/3	Debra	Stephanie		Rosie	Cecily	Irene
Session 6 7/17	Cecily	Julie		Erin	Stephanie	Kory
Session 7 7/31	Yi	Erin		Julie	Debra	Yi

Transitions
Transition Exercises
Shining a Light: The Art of Transitions
The Art of Transitions: Boost Your Emotional Intelligence

Sample Case Study formats to review

AoC Session 2: The Invitation, Setting Context, The Napkin Test

Good Day/Evening Conveners,

Thank you for an amazing start to our 7-session journey! As we advance our convening practices in the world, individually and collectively, we are thrilled to be with this remarkable cohort of Conveners.

In Session 1 we covered the first two Aspects of the Convening Wheel: At the Heart of the Matter
and Clarifying Intent. We truly began to experience how to listen ourselves and one another into being around the virtual campfire. 

We are learning the art of authentic connection to create resonance and build a foundation of trust where committed alignment can occur.

Session 1 Zoom video recording is available under "Zoom Recording" in Session 1 information.

 

1. Preparation for Session 2
The course is set up to provide continuous learning between sessions with homework and partner calls.