Transcript of the Planning Call Feb.16

Transcript (enjoy!):

Halim: I’m hesitant to share this. I’ll tell you what came up. I don’t know how to articulate this. One idea that’s been floated, the question of whether this should be held as a base camp, those of us who are part of this community so far, as I sat here, I had the sense of being smothered by pulling into ourselves at this point.
2 people resonate with that.

Michael: I resonate with that.

Margo: Did I miss something where we talked about the next gathering being same people, not new people.

Tree: I posted something as a passing thoughts.

Michael: I don’t know if this is a check-in or what. I wasn’t on the last call and I’m kind of a avoiding the world, spending time writing. Nor have I read most of the emails, I’m operating a bit in the dark. What I’m interested in is rather than us trying to figure out who we are what we’re doing, I’d love to be in a conversation on how we scale up? I’m interested in thinking boldly about taking a solid, inspiring evolutionary thinking into all sectors and catalyzing conversations, how does it transform, inform, carrying this into the culture. That’s my interest, energy. I’ll be there on the first 2-3 days. Assuming there’s interest in me playing a role. I’ll need to get back to MO.

Peggy: Topics that need attention from the last call
Invitation
Who to invite
Roles
Finances
Details

Michael: Theme for invitation needs to be clearly stated

Interplay between who it goes to and what the invitation is.

Halim: Plea to not get involved in wordsmithing but focus on ideas and approach.

Tree: Broad strokes… look at Susan’s later version.

Margo: I appreciate what you pulled together.
Lots of dittos.
A few change of words and mechanics mentioned.

Halim: Logistical details need attention if there is a desire to all participate in charging deposit to confirm registration and how to infer the amount

Margo: Maybe at the end we can have a smaller group to figure the details. This conversation about self-determined fees, general framework… figuring out the larger picture

Peggy: Conversation about who to invite and then what roles need to be played. People with passion will fall into various roles… we don’t need to go there now.

WHO TO INVITE

Sheri: Call for nonjudgmental space for ideas to be suggested as percolating and creating a space that we feel safe to offer.

Margo: Question for the center: Wave of all these people that wanted to come and then who came to the last two… more people than will fit… what kind of spirit determines who comes and who is on the waiting list.

Peggy: Whidbey Institute limits to 60 people.

Halim: We will invite more than will fit… How large of a group are we will to send invitations to… First come first server or reservations for men/women, old/young, racial, old participants/new participants…. Or combination of above.

Marc: Unfortunate that we’re dealing with this kind of a constraint

Michael: I agree and embrace that they want to be a center for these kinds of these conversations. Constraint of 35 in June. I welcome the constraints. There is a place for larger ones in the future, it can be done, and I celebrate the constraints we have here at WI.

Tom: We have a lot of energy. Do we have resources to meet the energy…to handle we need people who are committed to handling the salons… how many salons? Where? Do we have the people? In a box to try and meet the energy of demand. We are going to have to loosen up to recognize the larger thing going on and are we committed to committing more time to deal with these larger issues.

Margo: More expansive we can be the best. Re: Multiple events and shaping.
Good idea to prioritize how we receive registration, go after a wide mix that builds things rather than people feeling put off.

Marc: One of the reasons that salon 3 was preinvisioned was to accommodate the more people that wanted to be at ES2. Maybe we want to prioritize new people at this salon and vision it as a smaller one and think ahead to larger place.

Margo: Maybe a 2-tier process. Invite to waiting list., give them 10 days to express interest, and then figure out how it shakes out in terms of balance, how many people, who has been before.

Susan: I like

Halim: Are you talking about deposits in the 10 days or indication of interest?

Margo: lie out situation and maybe receive deposit… depends on if we have a policy for that. Not make any promises but see who is interested and then make decisions.

Tree: Timing in the past salons

Michael and Peggy: 2 weeks response time with a statement of interest

Tree: Question of who gets to come

Michael: This is a movement there will be many salons… don’t worry if you can’t make this one there will be many more. They’ll be all over the country and all over the world. Don’t want to create a scarcity mindset.

Marc: Important to understand the rationale of inviting people.

Ashley: who’s in our intention to be invited? What is the population. Given our purpose, who are we wanting to invite? There is the flood of interest, who is this invitation written to?

Tom: Colliding purposes… Michael, Peggy and I created May salon for the people that couldn’t come to the 2nd. These people were told they could come… we’re stumbling into what we are doing here. We need to acknowledge there are at least 2 threads. 1. Who do we want to make the best progress of the inquiry? 2. Who have been told they can come.

Michael: Integrity… invite the people on the list. And then, who are the key individuals that, given the people that have already said yes, would make a difference.

Marc: The way we handle it, First we invite whoever wants to come of those promised an opportunity and then we look at the lis, given that, haw can we best supplement that group with other voices that need to be there.

Margo: Open call to the people on the waiting list?

Marc: 1st on the waiting list.

Michael: I second that… In the first invitation it asked not just for a response but also a scale of 1-10 if you will be there. Get the list from the waiting list and then who would be the people that would supplement that.

Tree: You had a longer timeline before at ES2. We need to say, “send your deposit.”

Many agreements…

Peggy: 2 wonderings: at ES2 people we invited people. Huge excitement in that, thrilling that people wanted to bring their friends…and created the dilemna. Want to name that energy to be embraced and challenged.
2. A learning in the planning.. speak of people of color at a lack in attendance… Kaliya’s friends of color make last minute decisions and if we want specifically young people of color we need to be able to accommodate that rhythm. People do cancel at the last minute. I want to name that to open that channel to use last minute invitations for young people of color who life last minute lifestyles.

Tree: Spreadsheet about lists/invitations… for the last minute priority folks, etc. Someone holds this logistical space.

Halim: This person must work closely with WI who is offering to help with registration.
Registration, contact information, keep track of money, deposits if needed

Tree: I don’t like that idea

Margo: Every time there is a salon it grows and there are more people that want to come: It is a growing phenomenon. If you have people that are interested in coming, let us know and we will see if there is space. Another phone call about how to prioritize new people and how to make choices.

Marc: If we are making this a Salon for new people, why not go all out. A part from the core team, invite people to invite their friends… Diversity issue – Diversity matrix – write down all the different categories we think are important: ethnicity work or life experience, and keep an eye on that list.

Peggy: Where we are on this: My instinct is that 1/3s come to mind 1/3 new 1/3 before 1/3 friends of friends/wild cards/diversity/other unexpected factors. Something to be mindful of and something that naturally happens. Sending invitation in waves and instinct that 1/3 sign up.

Halim: If 1/3 sign up, that is ½ our capacity.

Tree: ES movement has to learn how to hold the registration piece…not WI. The team needs to be holding that space.

Margo: We need to think deliberately about the roles. What gets attention, who gets paid, how do we resource in a way that won’t fry anybody…

Peggy: We know enough now for a subset to think more deeply into invitation, who to invite. Let’s take minutes on who would be willing to steward this thinking of “Who to Invite” and who wants to take that question deeper.

Margo, Susan, Tree, Marc volunteered

Margo: Spirit is that people would like to expand the diversity in different ways, not just ethnically? Is this an agreement?

Peggy, Tom: Yes

Tom explicit address to people who were invited first. That if there is an overload there are people cut mindfully and addressed tenderly.

Halim: Another subcategory of people that were told next time but not necessarily on the waiting list.

Margo: Spreadsheet explanation of different categories.

Tom: First we need to sort out the numbers on who was on that list.

Margo: Could the list be sent back out and mark out who promises has been made to… then send the invite to the other non-promised people in the 2nd wave. No way to know to whom promises were made.

Stephen: Different ways to prioritize: Diversity, promises, old people… I’m watching an attempt to sort our way through this… not hearing, what is the intention of the gathering. In holding that intention, how can we prioritize? Impulse vs. Intention. How do we as the sacred circle or gatekeepers of the intention… What feels most in alignment to hold that sacred intention?

Peggy: Perfect timing.
Purpose… reflect on what it tells us about ‘who to invite’.

Sheri: Something coming to me is what Michael said about this is a movement and it grows and the scaling up and I’m wondering, I’m feeling like there is a purpose with ES3 and how is that in alignment with what Michael shared and the invitations.

Immediate purpose and larger growth.

Michael: Before mediation…apologize. I just made some editorial suggestions, minor. The invitation as it stands seems to clearly articulate the theme, purpose, what we’re intending. My sense, what’s in bold, Listening into the Future: what is calling?

The letter articulates the intention of the salons…bringing people together around these themes and to see what emerges. I like this draft and appreciate Stephen’s call. In terms of inviting, the integrous thing to do..see who responds and do a second round specifically with those in mind. Who to fill the remaining places, minorities, whatever. The first steps feel pretty clear, get this out, pretty much in its present form, invite everyone.

Ashley: Integrity is a part of intention not something separate from intention.

Purpose is read from the invitation:

~ ~ ~ Silence ~ ~ ~

Margo: it seems the invitation is close to being ready to role… can we get that out in the next week and continue to think into, listen into the future, about who else… so that in the next weekly call we talk specifically about roles and needs, following conversation we will have commitments from the first round and can see how many openings there still are and how to prioritize.

Tree: That feels pushed… who will gather the data.

Margo: Timing isn’t important, just order.

Michael: I don’t want to be the response person… since I am not able to be response person…not my email address.

Tree: We need a registrar.

Halim: I would like to be involved in deliberation and design of procedure. I won’t be registrar but I want to help design. In response to follow on conversation, I want to be involved re logistics, handling money and registration, etc.

Tree: Thankful

Stephen: I would like to participate and I can get clear as I talk to that group.

Susan: me too

Halim: Some of these decisions are critical to final drafting

Margo: May want to create gracious application process in the future. Website, fill in the form.

Halim: One thing before leaving… on purpose and invitation: I think that regardless of specific topic focus and regardless of all the wonderful ideas we all have about

We are trying to learn to be responsive to something that is happening in a field, we are learning to observe and be responsive to midwifing… integrity is so important and being responsive to the energy of who shows up… the conversations will go forward with grace and energy and creativity regardless of who shows up and if we make good efforts..

Ashley: Can help with the outreach and connecting to respondents… but not design

Subgroups
Logistics: Tree, Halim, Qualitatively: Susan, Stephen, and Ashley on communication Margo in the loop
Who to invite group: Tree, Margo, Susan, Marc
Finances and Registration: Halim and Tree

Michael: We will already turning people away if we invite those on the list and the 1 person the would really like… My hunch is that too much time or energy in who to invite might not be too fruitful

Margo: Wait until we have the response from the invite…articulation the invite that it is always challenging to be responsive to the huge interest… no promises to friends… only invitees. I think ½ will still be open and we can then figure out how to be deliberate.

Marc: I like 1st getting commitments and then figuring out others.

Sheri: Clarification about the deadline in the letter.

Tree: In the logistics subgroup… to be decided… as small a window as we can get away with.

Peggy: Sounds like agreement to do the discerning after we have made the inviting.

Roles: Someone to handle money… Halim if no one else surfaces

Tree: Halim and I can handle that.

Michael: Someone expressed some doubt about the invitation going out in the next week. Other than identifying a registrar, what else are the limiting factors of the next week?

Tree: How much money we are asking people. Deposit mechanism for receiving money.

Margo: Can who is doing the work be able to make that decision?

Tree: Halim and I with Susan, Stephen, and Margo we can hash that through… and will report it all to everyone.

Michael: Great… trust ya’ll (my insert!) to come up with whatever works for everyone.

Peggy: Sense into the energy… if there is a flurry of email that makes it clear that there isn’t comfortable… we’ll deal with it in the call… if there is a ‘that looks great, go with it’, then energy will be discernable.

Margo: Has there been enough conversation around the conversation of scholarship/accessibility

Peggy: in the sorting

Ashley spoke… not sure what I said!

Peggy read Ashley’s words

Margo: I appreciate the spirit and think it might work… I have a couple of comments.. Sliding fee scale for 20 years. Relationship between sliding scales and scholarships…Backgrounds determine if people feel comfortable asking. Can we expand it out by saying: “We would like to raise… this much money to cover costs and a fund for people that need resources to be able to come.”

Peggy: This adds in for the group working in this arena… The invitation group.

Tree: and logistics. I don’t think that belongs in the invitation.

Margo: Only the last part

Tree: I think we need another conversation about money.

Margo: I am happy to back off but some of this determines what goes into the invite. We have a dynamic tension and I am trying to figure out how best to fit this in.

Peggy: This topic needs more space that we have time for. Seems like something for our next call with the intention that we are as far as we can with the intention to get the invitation out as soon as possible.

Tree: Invitation… gather data with the first wave and see what happens… same with money, we’re gathering data and we’ll learn from what happens.

Margo: Invite can come up with 1 set of wording or a couple of alternatives depending on the direction that we might go.

Tree: Tom, Peggy, Michael can you consult on these groups. I am mindful that it is your baby.

Tom: It’s not our baby anymore and we are mindful of supporting it into something that we are stewarding.

Peggy: Last few minutes to reflect on how we are working together on the calls.

Margo: I appreciate how we are working together. Feels spacious and want to check with those that aren’t speaking as much

Tom: Thank you Margo for speaking up.

Ashley: What about having a chat room.

Sheri: back channel

Marc: Are we creating a left out situation for those not at computer?

Tom: We could do an experiment and talk about what it is like afterwards.

Sheri: I talked a lot less and appreciate the sensitivity to those that are quieter. It was a lot faster this time. I appreciate the energy and the work. I’m taking in a lot, learning from the process, I am learning a lot in relation to other projects like Imagine Cascadia. I am also wanting to support and trying to figure out where. I can support Invitation and logistics if there is need. I am also really holding energy around how this grows and seeds. The conversations I am having around what this looks like. What this model looks like and can be for future salons. I appreciate everyone. Peggy I love how you hold space. I love that people do jump in and the different energies that are here and feel humbled and grateful.

Peggy: I was aware of the faster pace and the rising of dissonance and tension and just want to honor the mindfulness and graciousness as stepping into the edges of their owns buttons. Buttons being pushed, people noting that, pulling back, and stepping into a conscious field. I am really excited by the willingness to be in the exploration together.

Tree: I’d like to thank everybody’s patience with me… this money piece has got me wired up as can be because of the excitement for what it can be.

Sheri: When you shared your vision (Tree) of the potential of how we can rethink money and it can fund the movement I felt that and I carry it.

Tom: I had anxiety about things not being covered and I was amazed at the amount that was covered and I was impressed at the space that was made for people.

Ashley: I loved how much the naming of “there is dynamic tension around this topic” by Margo really helped the group sink into it.

Everyone: bye!