First of all, i want to express my deep gratitude for the considerable life energy and commitment that went into creating this event. I feel moved and appreciative of the key organizing team, "Mom" and the logistical crew, the behind-the-scenes supporters, and all who made it possible. Thank you so much!
1) What are the things you liked or valued most?
The people were fabulous. Almost every person i talked with was doing significant and inspiring work in the world, work that i think matters to our future, weaving a web of . . . rebirthing? . . . i don't know, i'm not sure yet how to name what needs to emerge. I think that each of these people had insights and lessons for me, both explicit and implicit, both in their work and in their way of being in the world.
Almost every one-on-one or small group interaction i had was fulfilling. Wow!
Having a lot of time in open sessions where i mostly wandered among them and connected with people in between was wonderfully fulfilling.
The food was plentiful and tasty, and seemed to meet the variety of needs present (e.g. i'm vegetarian). I think the warmth and positive attitude of the staff of the center/kitchen were a subtle yet important background influence.
Playtime, frisbee, Jean-Francois's piano playing, again these things are subtle but i believe they truly influence the outcomes of the more formal efforts.
OK, now for the thing that is really central for me. While at the salon, a process began to stir in me, one which is very much still in progress. It has to do with the question of how to take what i care about and am already actively doing now (facilitation across differences, teaching group skills, etc.) and do it at scale. This is a query that has been with me for some years, but mostly resting. At the salon, possibilities emerged for how to make that real. While i don't yet know the form it needs to take, and i don't know what the answers are (i am spending a lot of time in that uncertainty and not knowing that Tom's been talking about so much lately), just sensing those doorways beginning to open fills me with awe. While the process is resulting in a lot of internal tension in the moment, i strongly believe that it is a growthful one, and i choose to radically trust in the outcome.
2) What advice do you have for those organizing the next salon?
Stronger boundaries during times of whole group sharing. Perhaps even an exercise early on in the event that makes salient the dialogue between ego and awareness of the collective? After all, the ability to move from self-involvement to focus on the whole is part of the evolution that needs to happen in society (especially in the US), so it fits right in line with the goals of the event. Given the impressive previous accomplishments of many salon attendees, it's natural that these are folks with strong egos, so being ready to dance with that seems necessary and appropriate.
Limit the attendance as much as needed to keep it gender balanced.
I understand that the plan is to hold the next salon at the same location. That facility is lovely, but it's hard to host 80 people there, the acoustics in the main room were a challenge to open space sessions. Another location could allow a lot more people, gosh i'd love to see this event at, say, 250 people, and i think if it were well-designed we could still get a great sense of community with that number. If not salon #3, how about salon #4 elsewhere?
When i looked in on the nighttime meetings, the key organizers often didn't look very happy to be there. I want our community to take better care of those who are stepping forward to hold us. Of course there needs to be a way to have feedback loops present during the event, but i believe that we can come up with a better design to meet that need. I understand that another need being addressed was to build community, but again i think there are ways to do that that are more respectful of people's energy.
Have fun. How can we make the process of organizing, hosting, facilitating and managing joyous? If you're not having fun, pause to check in about it, either within yourself (ourselves) or with others on the team. People will join the revolution when it's the funnest game in town. Martyrdom, while sometimes necessary, is a limited evolutionary strategy. (I'm still working on this one myself too.)
Let the "Great Story" sound a clear note throughout the gathering, calling us to purpose.
3) How do you imagine your gifts contributing to the future of
this movement (of which Evolutionary Salons are but a part)?
I am still figuring that out. I want it to all come clear, and i am working on letting go of that need so that i can be gentle with myself as i muck about in the process, and compassionate toward others. I have gifts in supporting good conversations in difficult situations, teaching skills for collective decision-making and facilitation, holding space, organizing events, logistics, and more. But how it all fits into the larger dance, i don't know yet.
peace,
--Tree