You are invited to participate in"a community of inquiry" through the end of January, online and over phone/video conferencing, for the following purpose:
To explorewhat we, as members of the dialogue and deliberation community of practice, have to be and do to enable our most positive transformational impact in the face of emerging global crises which fundamentally challenge our business-as-usual habits and systems.
To meet the diverse needs of those participating in this project, we expect at least the following outcomes:
Ongoing deep dialogue around our calling question.
A community of inqury and practicewhere we share fellowship, support,insights, resources, information, and strategies.
Inspiring possibilities and action projects- and support for the emergence of collaborative teams to undertake them.
We also expect to learn more about how to pursue these results integrating both scheduled phone meetings and online any-time engagements - a skill that can transfer to many other undertakings.
Our January work as a community of inquiry will involve three dialogic forms, each of which will be convened both in live conversation and online via hackpad(which can be used by any of us any time we wish). You are free to participate as much or as little as you like. Here is our schedule so far:
World Cafe for continuing whole-group exploration(starting online now(LINK), then going live on Tuesday, January 6, 2-3:30 ET, with one more time to be announced).
Open Space Technology to enable diverse dialogue and action groups to form and start work together(starting online now(LINK) - use this to convene an action group now if you feel called to do so - then going live on Tuesday, January 13, 2-3:30 ET, with one more time to be announced),
Bohm Dialogue for deeper reflection(basic drop-in version January 9, 20, 30. TIME???)(An intensive deep-dive committed version is also available by application only January 10, 21, 31 TIME???: space is limited: contact Linda Ellinor or Ben Levi if interested.)
We are also offering a self-organized"Group Works Deck Card of the Evening" conversation. If you wish to be on the email list for notices about this, please let Ben Roberts know via a reply to this email.
What happens beyond January is up to each of us.While as hosts, we are planning for various ongoing opportunities to emerge from this work, this particular program is designed to end at the end of the month, having provided value to all who have been a part of the community of inquiry during that time.
We welcome your participation. The more of us pursue this, the more we will learn and the more action will result, moving us forward. Let us know if you have questions or comments.
Discussion(if needed!)
I don't think the specific inquiries should be announced at this time. There is time to discuss that further - and to possibly invite more ideas from participants.
Additional Invite Copy
This version was edited slightly in the email draft sent on 12/27 at 11:30am ET
Thank you again for expressing an interest in the Dialogue, Deliberation, and Systemic Transformation Inquiry(aka"DandDTrans"). Co-convener Linda Ellinor and I have been in active conversation, along with various thinking partners including Tom Atlee and Ben Levi, to clarify what we want to gather for, and with whom, based on feedback from the first plenary call on 12/15 and our own inspirations around what might be possible here. Here's the latest iteration of our invitation:
[insert copy from Revised P&IR above]
You are free to participate as much or as little as you like, as long as you honor these requests: while you are"here," we ask that you let go of your cynicism, resignation, fears, and judgments, and show up as a co-owner and co-creator. Open your mind, your heart and your will, and join us in community, and in the spirit of the famous Hopi Prophecy:
"The time for the lone wolf is over. Gather yourselves! Banish the word struggle from your attitude and your vocabulary. All that we do now must be done in a sacred manner and in celebration. We are the ones we've been waiting for."
Revised P&IR
Additional Invite Copy