Notes from a World Cafe held on Nov 17

Sarah and I facilitated a World Cafe during the November 17, 2009 SLHI Consultants Community of Practice Retreat.

We've put this summary of the questions that were used (some were generated live by the group) and some of the highlights.

World Café held on November 17, 2009 at the Franciscan Renewal Center during the SLHI Sponsored Consultant’s Community of Practice Retreat.

Round 1 Question –

In your experience of building healthy and resilient organizations and communities, What are the essential elements of success?

1. Seeing the client as a hero!
2. Leaders who exhibit gratitude.
3. 3 categories – a. inspiration, vision, mission, b. commitment, c. functional/ action – cross pollinating, support
4. Don’t deny conflict – resolve it
5. Organizational alignment with sensitivity to context
6. Listening for convergance
7. Structure – good teams, work, measurable outcomes

Round 2 Questions

Half the tables discussed Question 1 –
How is the field of strengths based approaches to change and resiliency changing? How can we respond?

Highlights of Discussions:
- Technology is supporting organizations to do more w/less
- Call upon the federal government to integrate strengths based approaches into how resources are distributed
- ABCD is not new, but new sexy, non-partisan. Conversations/interactions now more authentic, curious, spiritual and move toward implementation.
- It is not a field, it is a philosophy. It is becoming more mainstream.

Half the tables discussed Question 2 –
What question if answered, could make the most difference in creating healthy and resilient communities in Arizona?

The Questions the groups came up with included:
- What can we do to get people to come together like our 50’s neighborhoods? (We are in this together)
- How do we define resilience in communities and find the glue to hold the community together based on principles of participation and sustainability?
- How do we adapt to make a difference in creating health and resilient communities?
- How do we motivate people to commit to and benefit from “new communities” i.e. schools, AB community, cyber?
- What Do We Want?


Round 3:

The tables that developed questions in Round 2 – left them for people to discuss in round 3 in half the tables.

Q.How do we adapt to make a difference in creating health and resilient communities?
Report Form:
Highlights: collaboration, innovations, new methods, diversity
Powerful Quotes: If you always do what you have always done, you will always get what you’ve already got!
Recommendations: Think outside the box. Be open to Change.

Q.What can we do to get people to come together like our 50’s neighborhoods? (We are in this together)

Highlights:
Caring neighbors, felt safe, you know your neighbors
Poweful Quotes:
I wasn’t old enough to remember the 50’s
Recommendations:
Encourage architecture that creates neighborhoods, front porches, parks, walking paths (safe), encourage block parties

Q.How do we motivate people to commit to and benefit from “new communities” i.e. schools, AB community, cyber?
Highlights:
Make it easy, identify gifts to benefit from
Define the community
Volunteers need to be appreciated
Find easy communication vehicles
Powerful Quotes:
Community is different. Could be schools, Art’s organizations, cyber
Recommendations:
Take a different view of community, not just physical neighborhood
Identify activities or gifts that the community could benefit from
Make it easy!
Be grateful for all contributions
Develop easy communication vehicles

Q:What Do We Want?
Highlights:
Agreement on the need for ea individual to share values and what they want and why – before moving to identifying the issues and the problem to solve
Powerful Quotes:
What will inspire people to be involved?
Commitment will stem from creating and communication that is inclusive
Recommendation:
World Café will be more powerful with a more diverse group with divergent points of view but focused on a common goal.

Q. How do we define resilience in communities and find the glue to hold the community together based on principles of participation and sustainability?
Highlights:
Remove “we” and “they”
Common vision
Foster commitment to vision (various means)
Make it a priority (how?)
Keep the momentum

The other half of the tables discussed the following question:

Q. How can we as a community of practice create an environment that enables each person to contribute our best, inspires us to keep learning and produces valued results?

Highlights:
Sharing, Supporting, Engagement, Outreach – new ppl and being welcoming
Value of giving, collaborate on purpose, for a purpose that serves the larger community – think more about giving than receiving… return, revive, HNK roots
Recognition we (HNK consultants) we’re all in this together
Small HNK community groups to discuss issues, ideas, a “wisdom group” and get connected
Establish a safe environment to share, respect of differences in opinion

Powerful Quotes:
Keep doing what we’re doing, more of it, and continue to evolve.
Utilize the HNK Water cooler, create wisdom circles, creating deeper meaning, makes a difference in our lives
Everyone in the room is equal as far as their input, perspectives, and ideas

Recommendations:
Provide opportunities for new ppl to collaboration together.
More nutrients – massages, good food, fellowship, innovative ideas
Provide ongoing learning experiences and activities that lead to the results of creating a safe environment

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