[Dialogue] Conversation Movement

[Jan Allen]

Hi James.  So nice to "hear your voice"  so to speak. (I can hear it!)

I'm sure there's so much more to the World Cafe process than I'll recall, but here goes:

Meg Wheatley set a context with an opening talk. She read from her latest book (forgot the title.. it's about community and coming together to have authentic conversation), told stories, offered deep convictions and commitments, shared what she's doing on the topic. 

Participants were sitting in rounds with one person as a conversation leader. This was just one of the group, not necessarily a trained facilitator.  

Meg posed a focus question for each table group to discuss. The conversation leader took notes. 

After a brief period, time was called to rotate.  Everyone moved to a different table (any other table) except the conversation leader, who remained throughout in order to provide continuity. 

After each rotation, Meg spoke briefly again, adding new input/food for thought. (Not sure if she spoke each time we rotated,but at least once.)

With each rotation, each new group (with same leader) then heard what was said by the previous group/s and continued the conversation. 

Don't recall how many rotations there were... maybe 3 or so.

After the final rotation, Meg facilitated an open sharing. She pushed hard for actions, not just insights. 

I think what happened next is that all participants were invited to write up/draw conversation outcomes/insights/commitments on a very long stretch of blank paper. (like a wall of wonder). 

If you'd care to connect with my friend who does this work, let me know and I'll ask him. He's a great guy. 

James, I can so easily see you doing this...  In fact I'm sure you've come close to the format many, many times. And if you decide to try it out, I'd love to be there!  

How're you doing? What are you doing? Did you go to Guatemala?  I miss the community of ICA...  not sure what re-engagement would mean for me. 

Be well,
Jan

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "jameswiegel" <jameswiegel at mindspring.com>
To: "'Colleague Dialogue'" <Dialogue at wedgeblade.net>
Sent: Tuesday, September 07, 2004 9:20 PM
Subject: RE: [Dialogue] Conversation Movement


> Hi, Jan,
> 
> Share some experiences of the world cafe. . .  what happens?  what is it
> like to participate?  what came out of it for you?
> 
> Actually, just hi, but . . .
> 
> "Food tastes better in a small house."
>                                                     Queen Victoria
> 
> 
> Jim Wiegel
> 401 North Beverly Way
> Tolleson, Arizona 85353
> jameswiegel at mindspring.com
> 623-936-8671 (h)
> 623-363-3277 (c)
> 
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net
> [mailto:Dialogue-bounces at wedgeblade.net]On Behalf Of Jan Allen
> Sent: Monday, September 06, 2004 9:43 AM
> To: Dialogue at wedgeblade.net
> Subject: [Dialogue] Conversation Movement
> 
> 
> Hello to Wayne and all,
> 
> I recall "Feet on the Table Conversations" too. At least in 1970; not sure
> if we were doing that when I first became involved in '67.
> 
> I'm not sure how you're defining "conversation movement," but I assume you
> mean the "World Cafe" type of process since you referenced Wheatley. I
> attended a World Cafe dialogue group facilitated by her and found it to be a
> useful format for a highly inclusive and participatory exploration with a
> specific focus question. (So much more than the relatively leader-centric
> approach, in my view, that the Feet on the Table sessions used to be.)
> 
> A friend of mine works with Meg Wheatley facilitating these events
> nationally and internationally in many different contexts. Because it's
> contentless, or can be, it applies to almost any context or focus question,
> which my friend is attempting to do.
> 
> There's also the community-building dialogue process for which Scott Peck is
> known, as well as the work of David Bohm.
> 
> I think ICA can definitely make a contribution to this "movement" or trend
> because of its context of service and inclusive involvement. It applies at
> both the global, macro level as well as the local, micro level. But I'm not
> sure how the legacy of the Feet on the Table process could be applied to
> what is already out there and working.  This may be a useful exploration.
> 
> Best regards,
> Jan Allen
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