Intergenerational Pioneering Conf.calls

Conference Call around Purpose and design
Harvest
11/03/08
Harvested by: Indira Hasimbegovic

1. General

Present at the conference call were Rita (host), Feliz, Indira

The conference call centered around two question, which were posted by Rita in advance to the call. The questions were:
-What is the true purpose and potential of calling an inter generational conference?
-What kind of a process will support that purpose and take it to its highest potential?
Following is an attempt to gather the most important points that arose during the conversation and to provide a categoric resumé.


2. What is the true purpose and potential of calling an inter generational conference?
Main points:
• Vision
• Diversity
• principles and values

Vision:
The first part of the conversation revolved around clarifying the main vision and purpose, in relation to the explictely inter-generational charachter of the gathering. We agreed that the inter-generational element should be emphasised throughout and be a resource-framework, but that the purpose of the conference is not solely to bring people together who are generationally diverse, but through this diversity to provide a new, common idea/path for the future of the pioneering work.

Feliz brought forth the original purpose statement, from when the idea of gathering took form, and we found it to be a strong formulation of the common vision, to which the process should be aligned. It follows below:

We want to invite all our friends across networks and generations to celebrate the 10 year anniversary of Pioneers of Change. Pioneers of Change is a global learning network consisting of young practitioners who are committed to create the next level of change we want to see in the world.
Our goal in this unique gathering is to bring our pioneering presences and stories together, across generations and networks, in order to surface the next level of "pioneering for change", that can be powerful for nurturing life-affirming futures.
*What could pioneering also be across generations and networks?*
*What is the future that is wanting to emerge, through linking our pioneering efforts and networks across the generational boundaries that often divide us?*

Diversity
The aspect of diversity arose as the second important point in the conversation, this time around the fact that the gathering also seeks to be an inter-network exchange. This means that there would be participants from other networks, or who are not actively part of the Pioneers network. It was pointed that it is important to remain conscious and sensitive in regards to the diversity of the participants.
Further discussion lead to a common conclusion that these elements should both be explcitely proncounced in the gathering, but also that the facilitation of the gathering needs to integrate the nurturing and encouraging of diversity, highlighting the potential that the uniqueness of each participant carries.
Again, we found it useful to return to the vision and to begin seeing the process from there. It became clear that the vision would provide the leading thread of the facilitation, and that the call for respect and encouragement of generational, network-based or other diversity is contained within the vision itself. Thus facilitation needs to carry the vision.

Principles /values
This lead us further on, to speak about the fundamental ideas and principles of Pioneers of Change, concluding that it is through bringing out clearly the principles of Pioneers that we would be able to create and facilitate a space where the diversity of ideas, knowledge, resources, stories and experiences would provide potential for further work.
Thus, the principles can provide a framework for the facilitation process, and they should also be explicitely brought out for discussion. Suitably so at the 10th anniversary, where the questions about: ”who are we”, ”what are our values” and ”what do they mean” could be brought out in the pioneering spirit of ”never stop asking questions”, as well as being aligned to the vision as outlined in the paragraph about the mission.
These principles should also be used when formulating an invitation. It is important that the invitation is aligned to the main vision and the purpose, and that it reflects the values of the pioneers. Thus it should, in the spirit of Pioneers, invite those who feel called to it, and emphasise the fact of Pioneers 10-year existence and what we are/wish to be doing in the world. Writing invitation from the energy of pioneering spirit will attract people drawn to the pioneering spirit.

3. What kind of a process will support that purpose and take it to its highest potential?
The attempt to engage with the previous question led the group naturally to begin answering the next question – how the program could be facilitated so as to serve the purpose, carry the vision and reflect the principles and values.
It became clear towards the end of the conversation that the facilitation carried three levels of consideration with it:
- the main ontological framework
- the organisational framework
- the concrete facilitation practice
The main ontological framework consists of aligning and consciously using the vision and the principles to formulate a philosophy of facilitation for the process, which would in turn lead to the development of most suitable concrete practices.
Ontological framework Purpose and vision:
Pioneers of Change is a global learning network consisting of young practitioners who are committed to create the next level of change we want to see in the world.
Our goal in this unique gathering is to bring our pioneering presences and stories together, across generations and networks, in order to surface the next level of "pioneering for change", that can be powerful for nurturing life-affirming futures.
*What could pioneering also be across generations and networks?*
*What is the future that is wanting to emerge, through linking our pioneering efforts and networks across the generational boundaries that often divide us?*
Pioneers of Change Principles:
Facilitation philosophy for the event - minimal facilitation – opening the space to what wishes to emerge in the process itself. The idea is to have a skeleton of the framework, and to leave the content to unfold as much as possible.
- co-creation – inviting participants to co-create the event, through co-hosting of the session or co-design of the programme.
- Diversity – to remain sensitive and faithful to the element of diversity through encouragement of different practices, ways of doing things, facilitation processes etc.
- Openness – the purpose of the event has been framed in terms of openness towards and learning from different perspectives and stories, as well as an opening towards a future. Facilitation ought to reflect this as much as possible.
- Pioneering – facilitating in the pioneering spirit implies co-creating new practices and ways. As much as it is important to consider previous experiences, it is important that we ourselves remain in the pioneering spirit and that we dare step into the new.

Practices
Storytelling – allow for a different, authentic, personal exchange. Also, the stories could hold the element of diversity, encouraging people to share their regional/cultural or other practices.
Silence and contemplation – important to allow room for this and to see it as an integral part of the process.
Engaging with the space – to be present at the place where we are, and to include the participants in the daily activities
Physical expression – consciously encourage the work with the body and senses through the process
Open space – goes without saying
Open Sessions – not pre-designed, but with a conscious intent to invite others to co-design them

The last two (columns) (philosophy of the facilitation and concrete design) have more or less just been touched upon or brought forth. What is needed to design the process is a call that clearly sets out our facilitation philsophy for this event, so that the concrete practices can be designed and alligned.

4. Designing the process, the next step

In the following meeting, these are the questions that call for discussion.

- Clarification and the decsion on the principles we wish to design the process about/ facilitation philosophy

- What would the concrete design look like?

Intergenerational Pioneering Conference Call Harvest
20 November 2007

Present: Sam, Bob, George, Maria, Hendrik, Filiz, Sarah


Check in

We each came up with a questions that we are holding:

Samantha - What is on your mind with this co-creative project we are on?

George - What is the next step in my life that deeply resonates with intergenerational dialogue?

Bob - How do we take any blinders off - how do we invite the combination of respect and ambiguity that makes intergenerational space come alive?

Hendrik - Where are we at and what is happening with this project?

Maria - How can we harvest calls so that we can invite more people round this intergenerational fire?

Sarah - How, when and where does this call want to manifest?

Filiz - How can we balance sensing/listening with action to ground the practicalities of this calling?


Speaking to what has meaning

We passed the piece and spoke to what has meaning to us individually:

Samantha - I am having difficulty staying engaged because each call the convener has changed and 50% of the participants have changed and this means that we go over the same ground, which is making me feel stuck. However, I am open to this and really wish to participate but I guess I am seeking some structure - otherwise it will be difficult for me to continue to participate

Maria - This is why I asked my question about harvesting during check in - I am really curious about how these calls are initiated but those who do this sometimes are not in the call - I like this and also see how we can keep going round the same loop. For me most importantly, is discovering the red thread and weaving this into each conversation so that we can discover together what is wanting to emerge here. Speaking to Hendrik's question, during the first call it emerged that this is a learning enquiry - a learning journey that could include, on line conversation through ENexus, conference calls around questions and also organising a gathering for 2008 that would bring together the 10th anniversary of the Pioneers of Change, (POC) and Intergenerational Pioneering. I was not on the second call, but reading the notes, it looked like there was again conversation on what the inquiry was about and also some discussion on where the gathering could take place. Understanding the path in which our conversations have taken, is important to not going over the same ground.

Sarah - The harvest of these calls has to create some kind of clarity so that others entering can pick up from where the others finished. I am also going to find staying engaged if this is only an on line dialogue - I wish to call to gather in person as well. We need to gain clarity on who is holding which modality so that we can open the space - otherwise I am clear that I do not wish to stay in this space of going from one call to the next

George - I am inspired by the different voices I hear and I feel that each voice is part of the same beautiful song, but offering different tones. Samantha is calling for the process, so that we can collect the collective intelligence and that we have not yet found the form to do this in. Maria and Sarah are speaking of how to find different ways to access the conversation - the different directions into this circle. Listening to this - I am confident that something ‘real' wants to happen - not just us making it happen. We need to hang in long enough for the pattern to emerge. ENexus is there to help us - it is a tool to find the rhythm to listen and create together. In particular, it can help to make visible the red thread - so that it is an attractor for more people to gather

Bob - Listening to George - makes visible my own dilemma. I am not in a wide spacious place as I am just about to enter into 8 weeks of travel. I feel more focused in this particular process - I need to be an ‘eagle'. So my dilemma, is that I am not sure if I will be able to connect into the deeper place of the conversation, if I am not able to be part of it as it emerges. I am passionate about this arena - intergenerational dialogue - and I bow to its centre and those that can give more time to it.

Bob left the call

Discovering the Pathways of Inquiry and Speaking where I Wish to Serve

Samantha - I would love to host with one or two other people a series of calls where we share what is meaningful about intergenerational dialogue - the change and survival issues. This is my way of stepping up to continue this learning inquiry.

Hendrik - I can see two things happening - (1) An on going series of calls where we continue to inquire (2) Organising a world wide conference/gathering under the banner of the anniversary of POC focused on intergenerational pioneering.

Sarah - Where I am sitting - I hear the call from Samantha to host the red thread of the calls - and I see this as feeding into a gathering. Perhaps the calls could be acupuncture points to sense into the gathering. I like these two pathways that Hendrik describes because it gives clarity on direction of travel. So two different groups can emerge - those hosting a gathering into being and calls that are the place where we gather to inquire into emerging questions. Lastly, as one of the guardians of Axladitsa, I know that Axladitsa would love to be the place to host this gathering. I also feel that we need clarity on when a gathering will take place and where - by the end of this call.

George - I want to share what I am ready to offer and do next. I know that designing and hosting face to face gatherings is not my work. However, I am willing to be an ‘eagle' for this. Instead I am attracted to co-initiating the calls with Sam. A support structure that exists and that could strengthen both pathways is ENexus, which is currently being upgraded, so I wish to offer this as a platform

Sam left the call

Maria - I am called to be part of both holding the red thread through calls - with Sam and George and also being part of a hosting team that calls a gathering into being. So I guess I am offering myself as a bridge

Filiz - I just want to note that what has just now emerged - these two pathways - is how to sense into the centre. I am feeling some resistance to separating out these two pathways - and I am called to be part of both (participating in the calls, not to co-initate them) - but I am more excited about the gathering. Lastly - if we separate the pathways we should keep them connected

Sarah - I feel called to hosting a gathering - and also wish to participate in the calls (not co-initiate them)

George - I do not feel the separation as something painful or tragic - but more a reflection of how evolution happens. New cells move into life by separating from the old ones - this is how life happens. Also organs are separate but are part of one system - like the heart and lungs they work together but are different. This is how I see the separation of these two pathways

Hendrik - We need to send out an email to everyone who expressed an interest in being part of this inquiry about these two pathways and where they wish to participate, with who is hosting what, i.e. co-iniating calls - Sam, George, and Maria and hosting a gathering - Hendrik, Maria, Filiz and Sarah. Also that ENexus offers an on line platform to host our conversations

Filiz - Speaking to Sarah's question of where and when - do we do this now?

Hendrik - I feel that this is part of the hosting gathering group - some might be biased as to where this should take place, i.e. Maria and Sarah

Maria - I too do not feel that it is time to make this decision in this call - it was discussed during the last call and Greece was mentioned, so this has not just come from Sarah and I. In fact - being part of calling a gathering - it will be important to sense on behalf of the whole where it should take place and when.

Hendrik - In order to keep both pathways together, we need to keep at the centre of purpose and focus of each group being in intergenerational conversation.


Check out - What is the next step in my life that deeply resonates with intergenerational dialogue?

Filiz - Right after this call I am stepping into hosting an intergenerational group - about 60 people. I am going now into this with a sharpened awareness to watch what emerges and the dynamics. This is really important because here in Turkey the generations are fragmented with quite a lot of oppression. I do feel anxious stepping into hosting this - but this is my next step.

George - What is up in my life? I just came out of a weeklong retreat - where I drew up the medicine wheel of my work ahead of me. My work in one of the directions is intergenerational space-holding, to grow the field of intergenerational work into a movement so my next step is to lean into this inquiry.

Hendrik - My next step is to be part of organising this gathering - making this a part of my life. I am really happy that I finally made one of these calls and I am so looking forward to stepping into hosting with other good friends.

Maria - Being part of this learning inquiry is one of my next steps and just becoming more conscious of how I already live inter-generationally and how this informs my life and how I can share it with others.

Sarah - My next step will be to reflect on this call - I have been challenged to stay connected to this inquiry - and I am still not sure that the two pathways we have chosen will allow us to stay connected. I do feel however, that creating greater clarity on pathways is a reflection for the need for lineage from one generation to the next. I see that I too am becoming part of an intergenerational living - and this is not just about how old you are - but your knowing and wisdom years. Lastly, I want to bring in the pioneering edge - to bring this into our inquiry - this is very important to me because this is the edge I am living.


Agreed Next Steps

* Maria will harvest notes from this call and send out in a couple of days with an email inviting people to join either calls or hosting team for a gathering (Hendrik to be contact for this)
* Sam, George and Maria will connect to sense into series of calls, as well as questions
* Gathering Hosting team to connect as soon as possible to discuss when and where as well invitation - Hendrik and Carsten (Please see below)



Email from Carsten - Parallel Conversation on Where and When for the Gathering

During the call, Carsten emailed saying that he could not find anyone on the call - and he sent through this message that spoke to Sarah's request to get clarity on when and where gathering could take place:

Hi,
I didn't find anyone on FreeConference at 17.30? - but here is input concerning dates. Sometime between October 6th and October 18th.

We also vote for Greece as the meeting place.

This is input from Lesley and I - who have just spend three days together around the Unfolding Cards.
Lesley is now in the airport and on her way back to London. Lesley is going to the Global Pioneers of Change meeting in Brazil next week and it would be very good if she could bring something concrete in terms of dates and place. With clarity around this, then the waves from the people meeting in Brazil will be the needed renewed energy for this.

Maybe even a hosting team can start to identify itself.....

It seems a bit dark in the intergenerational tunnel - but light is coming our way.

Loved Joshua's input on Evolutionary Nexus - and the balance of becoming wiser and taking the next appropriate step.

All the best,

Carsten