I’m currently working with an intelligent and courageous core team working to implement a very different way of working in a very large bureaucracy. It is really HARD work, but these three people are showing energy, resilience and graceful humor. As I read this article on Forbes tonight, Teaching Empathy: The Ancient Way Is Now Cutting-Edge it struck me that the four things they suggest we teach for empathy also represent network leadership.Teach listening as a core skill and expect it as a cultural practice. Start by being an active listener yourself and give people the time they need to reflect. Time not made for someone is time wasted.Make dialogue a primary team, group or classroom practice. Dialogue opens the doors to exploration—what Peter Senge in his guide "The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook" calls "skillful discussion," where thoughtful decisions can be made that honor all participants (or, in business, stakeholders).Identify roles, not organizational charts. When people are able to articulate their role, what they need to be successful and what gets in the way of their success, an empathic understanding is present and the beginnings of a healthy team, class or group takes shape.Lead with consistency, authenticity and honesty. Be clear as to why you are doing what you are doing. Do not lead or manage through personality but rather through articulation. To articulate is to clarify.By networked leadership, I mean leading where you don’t always have authority. Where multiple reporting lines mess all the normal power plays up, rendering the old style of leading obsolete.I see this team doing more and more active listening and they have refined their conversational skills to demonstrate both listening and bridge potential understanding gaps using the "what I heard you say is… " before they add their thoughts. In an organization with a practice of "I win if I look smartest," a lot of people’s attention is wrapped up in preparing their next statement, not listening.In the formation of this big new plans, emphasis is placed not on large, plenary sessions to hash things out, but breaking into small conversations and building meaning outward. There is a strong invitation for others to describe what they understand and need about this big transition they are all navigating.The new structure now distributes resources across divisional lines, so the idea of one’s formal boss is being tossed on the waves of change. The idea of roles, not organizational charts is one I want to bring up at our next meeting as a way to help with this.Finally, this team is composed of a very senior leader, a senior researcher and a more junior staff member. I see them leading with honesty, authenticity and striving so hard for consistency. What I hope I will see soon is more and more people around them recognizing and appreciating this, so it will encourage more of the same.  I think it is possible. Hard work, but possible. And when it becomes more common, I suspect I’ll see both better results, and more joy.I think these are four terrific things. What else do courageous, networked leaders need to know and do?Edited PS: see also Eugene Eric Kim’s post on Balance Bikes for Changemakers. It’s all about the learning/experimenting!

Choconancy1 posted a photo:

Choconancy1 posted a photo:

There is something in the air! All the interesting facilitation and process stuff emerging like Groupworks Deck and Liberating Structures are prompting people involved with them from a face to face perspective to begin considering them in online and distributed contexts. At the Liberating Structures workshop in Seattle last week, a Open Space breakout group resolved to explore more and we’ve started a Google Group (leave a comment or email me to join). Now Tim Bonnemann is getting a group activated around the Groupworks Deck pattern language. Here is his offer!Group Patterns: How Do They Apply to Virtual Environments?. I’ve mentioned the Group Works project before, a multi-year effort to explore and document the "deeper core of what brings a group conversation alive"…One of my main interests in this area from the very beginning has been the question if and to what extent these kinds of underlying principles, building blocks or patterns might apply to online or virtual environments.Some patterns should translate fairly easily, for example:Closing: The formal ritual that concludes the collective time and space by completing the cycle of a group process. Include everyone, acknowledge the end of the time together and mark the transition point, ushering in a shift to what follows.Mirroring: Empathically reflect back the essence of what someone has said so the speaker feels heard, genuinely acknowledged and appreciated. Honouring people’s gifts can heal individuals and relationships, unblock stuck places, and get energy flowing again.Yes, and: Build on what someone just said to offer encouragement and carry it further. Affirm their ideas, then extend them to a deeper understanding or add a new twist. Create momentum by saying "Yes, and . . ."Others, maybe not so easily:Circle: A Circle is a safe, solid, yet permeable space with an inside, an outside, and a focus that moves from person to person. A welcoming form where everyone can see each other and all voices are heard, it creates a field that invites sharing and story.Holding Space: Be fully present, aware of what’s happening in the whole gathering right now-physically, energetically, emotionally, and intellectually. Open and hold the psychological and spiritual space to provide a steady centre and container. Calmly maintain trust, safety, and focus.Silence:  The rests between notes make the music. Take a quiet moment to tune into yourself or the group. Invite Silence to slow the process, make space for questions, transition, or simply deepen.Over the next few months, I’d like to spend some time exploring. If you share the same interest and would like to get involved, please let me know, and we’ll take it from there.A lot of fun thinking and learning… are you ready to join in?

Earlier this week my friend Doris Reeves-Lipscomb invited me into a conversation with Suzanne Daigle to explore options for including online/distributed participation in the upcoming Open Space on Open Space (OSONOS) in St. Petersburg Florida May 16-19. Having been to an OSONOS, I’d love to go, but the arrival of granddaughter #2 sometime soon says "STAY HOME!" (And if you don’t know about Open Space, check here -> it is wonderful!)Doris took terrific notes during the call and I’ve augmented them with many links and some examples. I thought it might be nice to share them because we often have questions about the online/offline interconnections for face to face events and graciously, Doris and Suzanne agreed.  I should spend more time editing and amplifying, but if I waited to "find time" for that, I’d never get it up ! I’ve also blogged about this a lot here on the blog, and on my wiki, so a little searching may yield value! But if I don’t post this now… That also means, there are tons of gaps and opportunities for you to add your knowledge in the comments! PLEASE!Recommendations from Skype Call—Nancy White, Suzanne Daigle, Doris Reeves-Lipscomb - April 30, 2013Before ConferencePurposeConsider WHY you want to connect online and offline.To harvest and share out what is going on (social reporting and more on social reporting. Don’t miss David Wilcox’s blog as well.)?To facilitate virtual participation in parts or all of the OSNOS? To bring in a particular voice/voices into a particular OS session or plenary?To tap outwards to the network when questions arise at the F2F? Or something else? Having a sense of purpose helps inform process and technology stewardship. just weave the network a bit? Help others see and discover it?Start where there is energy: Create opportunities for remote/ virtual engagement with the handful of OS practitioners who are ready for it. Identify both people who will be at the event and those online who would like to connect from afar during the event.Understand there may be resistance. Face to face gatherings are precious and some find the effort to include those "not in the room" detracts from their experience — or they have that perception or past experience. Go gently.ProcessVerify availability and process for online access/bandwidth. (Yeah, this never goes as planned or promised! Having people with mobile web access is a great fallback!)Create a hashtag for WOS and share widely. Create posters for it and place around event (and especially near any instructions on how to log on to the wifi)Use Open Space email list to find out who already uses the online and build on the technologies they already use. Affirm preferred communication tools for use at WOSWhat would they like to do?  What might they commit to doing?Then get out of their way. Don’t put yourself too much in a hub role or you won’t have time or attention for anything else. Use the network!Technology Stewardship: Identify, practice with and debug virtual tools that you have relied on before—Crowdvine, WordPress, etc. — or plan to add to your technology configuration.Explore examples of good online events. What relates to good offline events? There IS a lot in common! For social reporting, consider a small team comprised of millenials/digitally competent OS practitioners and prepare a social reporting plan. (My social reporting bookmarks. A few social reports.)For virtual real time interaction, identify time zone issues (I like to make a little map with people online in their time zone. It is easy to forget otherwise.)During ConferenceBe clear: Announce at beginning how people can opt-in/opt-out of the use/uploading online of their  pictures/words via Twitter, Facebook, Crowdvine, etc. and showing opt-out preference with dot on badge; review any other decisions made to work virtually—who, when, how, whereAffirm hashtag for all outgoing tweets, communications, blog posts, etc. (post those posters!)Social Reporting Stuff:Tweet/FB images and short narratives of what is going on.Connect particular practitioners who have an interest in each others’ practiceDo 1-2 minute interviews and post online, then tweet url (examples from 2 conference where I was social reporting : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LHtv69eam5U and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N-yATDNzV_I, both of whom are OS community members!)Point to blog posts or wiki pages where session reports are postedTowards the end, gather super short reflections (sometimes it is fun to have people write their key insight, etc on a sheet of paper in broad marker, hold it up and then you film them saying out loud. Then you edit together. Here are some unedited examples: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eJsvQpui7-0 and https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mofj3zDQgzcFor virtual participation, identify one or more OS sessions and offer them at the market place with the explicit offer to include virtual participants. (Be prepared for no one or too many to show up!). Consider debriefing these experiences to build knowledge and process for future events. (Here is a story of one I did at a conference - not Open Space tho!)Open an OS session using  Google Hangouts or Skype with WOSonOS circle or Skype contact list, etc.  if you wish to use these tools or encourage others to use them.Link reports and other harvests out via social networks, ie. use sociable plugin on WordPress for simultaneous messaging out to Twitter, Facebook, etc. (If you have decided to do this) use the OS format/Marketplace first round for setting up virtual participation leaders/practiceBring others in by exporting key bits of conference to them through one minute mobile interviews or other kinds of social reporting; have interactive discussion online forum ready for conversations to happenUse Storify to curate WOSonOS tweets Consider asking for and harvesting post event reflections. (Example here of one of my reflections. And another.)AttitudinallyAppreciate that both Millennial and new-bees can be fresh eyes in capturing important elements at the conference with onsite/offsite participants. They don’t have to be Open Space experts!Think of the relationship to Open Space bumblebee and butterfly kinds of functions.Don’t assume non-Millenials aren’t’ comfortable with and don’t use social media tools. Some of us boomers are quite adept.Reflect/debrief (but don’t over do it) and share what you learn back out to the wider community.Go with the flow. Plan and be prepared to abandon the plan. Stay present and enjoy!

From: Endless Knots: Decide to Network by Robert Muller.Jessica Lipnack reposted a beautiful poem on May day, originally posted back in 2010. It is so wonderful, it deserves amplification across my network. Will you amplify it across yours?Decide to network Use every letter you write Every conversation you have Every meeting you attend To express your fundamental beliefs and dreams Affirm to others the vision of the world you want Network through thought Network through action Network through love Network through the spirit You are the center of the world You are a free, immensely powerful source of life and goodness Affirm it Spread it Radiate it Think day and night about it And you will see a miracle happen: the greatness of your own life. In a world of big powers, media, and monopolies But of nearly seven billion individuals Networking is the new freedom the new democracy a new form of happinessRobert Muller (1923-2010) was former Assistent Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chancellor Emeritus, UN University for Peace, Costa Rica. He wrote the poem for Jessica Lipnack and Jeffrey Stamps in honor of their first book, Networking: The First Report and Directory.

Kevin Harris, on his terrific Neighborhoods blog, offers a quick analysis of what looks to be a very interesting study on social networks, Social networks, social capital and refugee integration from Birmingham and Cardiff universities. I just want to quickly amplify this to my network with no further comment beyond a thanks to Kevin. DO visit and subscribe to his blog. I’m always getting great bits of thinking from Kevin!The social networks of refugeesA research report on Social networks, social capital and refugee integration has just been published by the universities of Birmingham and Cardiff. The study was based on an analysis of The Survey of New Refugees (SNR), augmented with a short online survey.Among the findings:Social connections have a clear impact on health and language.Those who participate in quality English language learning get more help and have more frequent contact.There were clear social capital benefits from family reunion.Frequent contact with kin has no impact on access to employment.Those in contact with a formal group are less likely to need emotional support.No kind of social network is anti-integrative.And there are a couple of surprises (to me at any rate). First, there seems to be comparatively low interest in associating with ‘co-national or ethnic groups’. When asked to rank 15 priorities, respondents placed greatest importance (understandably) on ‘Absence of verbal or physical attack’ (9.5) and ‘Housing’ (9.29). The lowest priority was accorded to ‘Volunteering’ (7.09) (understandably); and (surprisingly) association with ‘co-national or ethnic groups’ (7.49).Secondly, the research challenges the model which suggests that if you spend time and energy investing in strong ties (e.g. for emotional support) that detracts from investment in weak ties and bridging social capital (e.g. for getting work). The researchers say there was ‘no evidence that having strong kin networks precludes getting support from formal networks’:‘The positive correlations between different types of contact… provide compelling evidence against the argument that immigrant and ethnic minority communities are ‘inward looking’ and only ‘invest’ in bonding social capital… There is no evidence that receiving help from relatives and friends (widely considered as ‘bonding’ capital) is mutually exclusive with gaining ‘bridging’ social capital from ‘out-groups’ and more formal organisations.’ (p11-12)via Neighbourhoods: The social networks of refugees.

Choconancy1 posted a photo:

Choconancy1 posted a photo:

My last post about this topic was dated 2009. In preparing for a workshop this week, it seemed like a good time to update the resource. have any suggestions or additions? Please share them in the comments.Why use a call?The medium of voice conversations is pretty flexible. Many of us have mastered the one to one call. You can read hundreds of articles about when to use and not to use voice calls, but the bottom line is you can do many many things and many people have few alternatives. The real question is how hard it is to do any particular type of interaction WELL on a call.Group voices  calls  can be used  in general for:meetings (best with smaller groups unless it is to broadcast information)project management teamslearning eventsguest speaker presentationsorientation or closure for online activity/eventnetworkingpresentations/pitchesTeleconferences support processes of:decision making (convergence) - this can be a challenging process if the decisions are difficult/complexproblem solving/conflict resolution - same issue as decision makingfun/playrelationship building/orientationbrainstormingteamworkknowledge sharinginformation deliveryPlanningAgendaHave an agenda that includes goals, participant expectations and timing if appropriate. (2013 update — I’ve grown to realize that not all meetings need agendas, but they need at least an intention. For complex, emergent issues, an agenda may not serve as well as a really good starting question.)Don’t CRAM the agenda! It takes more time and people have more fragile attention spans.Ask participants to review the agenda prior to the call. (Or the background materials, intentions, etc.!)An hour on a teleconference generally cannot accomplish quite as much as an hour F2F. Plan accordingly. (Update: take this into consideration with the next point! )If you expect active participation from all participants, consider the impact of volume of comments on time available when determining the number of agenda items. On a 10 person call with the expectation that everyone comments on each agenda item, and their comments range from 1-3 minutes, that means you can accommodate 1-2 agenda items in an hour.Decide on roles. The meeting chair does not have to be the same person who is looking after the call facilitation duties. (Update: I have grown very fond of having a shared chat tool for collective note taking and have added a sub section below. I use http://www.meetingwords.com a lot. )Specific roles are more important as the size of the group increasesFacilitator or master of ceremonies - support meeting processHaving a "greeter" who arrives 5 or more minutes early to welcome people as they arrive on the phone line helps them orient sociallyHaving a "tech person" who can help people (say, by means of a chat room or instant messenger (IM) if they have difficulties)Designated presenters or speakers who are experts in the topicHaving a note-taker (say in a chat-room, that also supports the "tech person")If part of the group is in a F2F with a long (i.e. full day) agenda, consider scheduling shorter phone segments for critical business. It is hard to stay on the phone for a full day! Technical Set UpConsider if telephone is the best communication tool for your task or purpose. Alternatives include webmeeting tools, or pairing a phone call with another visual tool such as a chat room (Skype, IM, etc) or shared Whiteboard (ie. Vyew)Send all participants the dial in number and pass-codes (if any) needed. When I send these in advance, I find it useful to resend an hour before the meeting so people don’t have to go digging through old emails. If you use a calendar request, include on the invitation.)Be clear to participants if you are offering a toll free number or if they are responsible for long distance costs. With international groups, make sure your number includes the international country code.Providing a "jumping off" point -where people can look up the details if they’re lost or if the technology fails. (email, URL, etc.)Integrate a phone call with other media and modes of communication (online, face-to-face, presentation media and print resources). E.G. Collect topics from asynchronous discussions (email lists or web boards)Consider using more than one channel. This means audio with a visual. Often this helps focus more attention and understanding. For example, integrate visuals by sending images in advance or using a web meeting tool. Use an online white board to generate shared images and notes during the call.Consider arrangements for hearing impaired participants (TTY, simultaneous transcription in a chat room, etc.).Have a back up plan for potential technology failure.If the call leader controls the start/stop of the call and may have to leave early, have a second person with leader privileges so the call does not get cut off. Be careful of teleconferencing and we bmeeting tools that only allow one person to have the controls. This is risky.Plan to record the call so you can post audio recordings or notes so that they support asynchronous interaction or give people who couldn’t make it to the call a sense of belonging. If you plan to record the call, recording, playback and transcription tools/services include:http://www.audioacrobat.comhttp://free.conferencecall.comhttp://www.highspeedconferencing.comhttp://www.skype.com with external plug ins (tools you have to add in)http://www.learningalliances.net/CoP_Resources/Recording-phone-meetings.htmCheap and useful telephone services and toolshttp://www.freeconferencecall.comhttp://www.highdefconferencing.com/ (combines regular phone calls and Skype calls)http://www.skype.comhttp://www.gizmoproject.com/http://www.nocostconference.com/http://www.vyew.com/content/ Simple tool to share screens, etc.Scheduling and PreparationConsider participant availability just as you would for any other meeting.Consider time zones when scheduling. (See http://www.timeanddate.com for timezones and http://www.doodle.ch for scheduling tools.)Communicate local time or how to calculate local time when sending meeting announcement.Distribute supporting documents/files well before the call start.Inform participants if they have to have a file or website open on their computer desktop.Have an attendance list with name, email and phone number in case you need to contact an individual before, during or after the call.Starting the CallThe facilitator should log on early and be the first online (5-15 minutes).If you are going to record the  call, put a big post it note in front of you to remember to turn on the recording. Can you tell I’ve forgotten this a few times? I now also ask someone else to remind me.Tell people if you are recording the call and ask for/deal with any objections. Tell WHERE the recording will be available and who will have access.Greet and know who is online (roll call, use "the clock" described below, etc.).If appropriate, ask early arrivals to greet subsequent arrivals as a team-building activity.Establish protocol of announcing name when taking a turn speaking.Review and, if needed, adjust agenda.Find out if there are any individual time constraints ("I have to leave early") and adjust accordingly. This is particularly important if you need the input or participation of the person leaving early to achieve the goals of the call.General Call EtiquetteCall from a quiet location.Avoid cell phones. If you use a cell phone, put on mute when not talking.Avoid speakerphones or if using speakerphones, use the mute button.Use quality headsets to avoid "tinny" sound.Avoid low quality cordless phones as they sometimes create a buzzing background sound.Don’t use the hold button if your phone system has built in background music or announcements.Avoid paper rustling.Caution with multitasking - some is unavoidable, but remind people about attention and occasionally call on silent folks to keep their attention. Listen for keyboard sounds (those doing email!).Announce if leaving/returning.On long calls, offer bio breaks and "quick stretches" - remember we are more than just ears! Consider kind treatment of bodies!Speak clearly. Slow down if you are a "fast talker."Be aware of the impact of accents and slow down accordingly.Be enthusiastic and use a tone appropriate to the group. The first impression is important.Vary voice tone - avoid monotone presentation.Articulate body language ("I’m making waving motions with my hands.")Attention & EngagementUse guest speakers or multiple speakers to avoid "boredom" with one voice/presenterIf appropriate, use games and interactive activities. See "Just Three Words" below.Track who is talking so you can call on those who have not had a chance/chosen to speak up.Use people’s names to get their attention.If the group gets off the agenda, refocus but take note of the side issue for later attention.Break up long stretches of one speaker.When appropriate, go "around to circle" for inclusive participation.Listen for folks who may be more comfortable talking (avoid dominance) or very quiet.Consider "break out sessions" where pairs get off off the main call, call each other, interact and call back on to the phone bridge.For decision-making processes, restate or repeat key issues as they are honed down to a decision point.If your participants can be online at the same time they are on the phone, consider web-based collaboration tools to create shared electronic notes, flip charts, etc. Sometimes allowing "side chats" or "chat breakouts" can increase participant engagement.Generally, the larger the group, the more directive your facilitation needs to be to keep a small number of people from dominating the call.During the call, stop and ask for feedback.If you don’t want to ask each person to respond to a general query ("do you understand the new procedure?"), ask questions such that silence means assent. There is a drawback to this technique in that sometimes silences does not truly mean assent and understanding can be lost.Share leadership duties to help less engaged people become more involved in the call. Ask individuals to "lead" sections of the agenda.Assign people different roles - note taker, timekeeper, "keeper" of unanswered questions, etc.Interactive TechniquesBrainstorming - ask participants to note down others’ contributions to a brainstorm. After the brainstorming period is done, ask people to comment on the words people chose to express their ideas. Help the group look for convergence and divergence around the creative process.Horrors and Exceptional Situations - For skills training. People often are happy to share horror stories around a skill or issue that can help groups discern what NOT to do. But often they miss the examples of what works. Ask groups to break out (see telephone break out tips) and identify 2-3 HORROR and EXCEPTIONAL SUCCESS stories. Reconvene and note the behaviors that lead to both the positive and negative outcomes. Review and debrief at conclusions. Include what was learned in the call notes.Telephone Break Out Techniques - Pair up participants in advance and share a phone list. During the call, assign a pairs task, have the pairs get off the main call and work for 10 minutes and return to the main number at a stated time to report out/debrief the activity."Just Three Words" - Phone comments can drag on, especially for large groups. This game originated as an online text technique but works well to surface a sense of the group and get fast feedback. The technique is to do a round of comments from everyone on the call with the constraint that they can only use three words in their response. For example, at the end of the call you might say "what three words describe your experience of today’s call?" The notes from these exercises can then be later reviewed and observed for similarities, differences and patterns."The Clock" - "The clock" can be used on conference calls to help people get and keep a sense of place and participation in a disembodied conference call. It can be used with structured online chats as well. Ask every one to draw a circle on a piece of paper and mark the hours like a clock. Then, each person is assigned a spot on the "clock" as they join the group. So the first person is 1 o’clock, the second 2, etc. If there are more than twelve, start adding 1:30, 2:30 etc. Use this initially to create a speaking sequence for intros, and then use it to ensure everyone speaks. Participants can make notations by names and use it as a visual tool to match names/voices/input. If you are doing multiple rounds of "speaking" vary the "starting position" on the clock.Location Maps - For widely distributed groups that meet regularly; create a map with pictures of the participants near their location on the map. Distribute to the group or publish on a web page."Side" Conversations - If someone wants to comment directly to a previous speaker, they can use that person’s name to focus their attention. "Sarah, I am not sure I agree with that approach…."Shared Note TakingAs noted above, I’ve grown fond of shared note taking, so I’ve expanded this a bit:Meetingwords.com: Synchronous online  meetings for large groups create a context where it is easy to "tune out" and multitask. My approach to this is to set up a shared note taking site and engage people there to take notes, do "breakout" work from smaller groups and generally offer another modality for engagement and interaction. We used Meetingwords.com and Google docs for this, later sharing cleaned up notes from these tools. I like that Meeting words has the shared note taking (wiki) on the left, and a chat on the right. It is based on Etherpad, which was eventually folded into Google docs. So we were using "cousin" technologies!Skype: If your meeting is relatively small and you are using Skype, take notes right into the chat room.Telephone Break Out TechniquesPair up participants in advance and share a phone list. During the call, assign a pairs task, have the pairs get off the main call and work for 10 minutes and return to the main number at a stated time to report out/debrief the activity.If using web meeting tools that have breakout rooms, practice with the technology in advance. It can be a bit tricky.Evaluation/FeedbackUse some form of feedback or evaluation tool to help improve subsequent calls. A simple "after action review" (what did we intend to do, what did we do, what would we do differently) can be done at the conclusion of a call, or could be done with forms or email post-call."Just Three Words" - ask each person for three words that describe their experience on the call. Just. Three. Words. Seriously.ClosureTake minutes and use for follow up. Distribute as soon as possible after the meeting and highlight follow up steps and responsibilities. I like to send the notes out within a half hour.Recap meeting or next steps as appropriate.Offer opportunity for final/closing comments.End the call promptly, particularly with phone bridges with timed access.More Conference Call Resources:Digital Habitat’s wiki page on conference calls A group brainstorm on conference callsThe Clock techniqueNote taking and back channel conversationsJohn Smith’s Meeting on a Telephone BridgeJohn Smith’s Skype as a Community PlatformJohn Smith and Shawn Callahan’s  piece, Conference Call PracticesJohn Smith’s reflection on bridge line servicesCaren Levin’s tips  Got Culture? (as in phone culture)Npower’s Running Effective Online TrainingsKate Pugh’s Good practice for phone-based CoP teleconferences Proven, Practical Tips for Conference Callshttp://www.accuconference.com/blog/17-Tips-For-More-Productive-Conference-Calls.aspxThanks for input from Nathaniel Borenstein, John Smith, and Michael Owens.

Not one, but TWO workshops are available this coming September, one hosted by Michelle Laurie and I in Rossland BC (a.k.a. RosViz) and another hosted by BC Campus in Vancouver BC. Here is the information.Locations and dates: Rossland, B.C. (September 23-23) and Vancouver, B.C. (September 26-27). Please note the Vancouver workshop is being hosted by BC Campus & The University of British Columbia.  For details and registration, contact them directly: http://scope.bccampus.ca/course/view.php?id=377Rossland Worskhop Pricing: $850 CDN+GST, Register before July 5th and receive the early bird rate: $700 CDN+GSTRossland Workshop Registration: Email: michelle.k.laurie@gmail.comDrawing on Walls at the 2011 Graphic Facilitation Workshop in Rossland, B.C.Workshop Description:This experiential workshop takes place almost entirely at the drawing surface. We’ll start by warming up our drawing muscles and silencing those pesky inner censors. Next, we’ll build into the basic practices of graphic facilitation and recording. We will pay attention to preparation, the actual visual work, and follow up including digital capture of paper based images. Finally, we will devote time to participatory graphic approaches, practicing and giving peer feedback. You can expect to go away with icons, ideas and approaches which you can use immediately, as well as ideas about how to hone your practice.See Sylvia Currie’s great video from the 2011 workshop here!See our Harvest from the 2012 workshop here!Looking for the nitty gritty on what the workshop will cover?  Download the details: Rosviz_Tools_Takehome_ListWhen might we use this practice?Sometimes our imaginations are sparked by a visual where words fail us. Think about when communities plan and imagine their futures, when teams consider the possible outcomes for their projects, when groups create maps to track their progress.  These are all opportunities to use visuals to engage and deepen community dialogue. You can use visual thinking to improve teamwork, communications, meetings, build engagement and to plan work. Step out of the PowerPoint rut!Who should attend?Facilitators, project managers, team leaders and members, town planners, teachers and anyone who would like to engage others beyond words. Please note: You do NOT need previous experience or have to consider yourself an artist. At some level, we can all draw and use visuals to enhance our communications and engage diverse audiences.Testimonials from 2010, 2011 and 2012 participants:"I am still on cloud 9 after the Graphic Facilitation workshop. Thank you soooo much. I feel recharged after that! You two are such great facilitators.  You were willing to bend over backwards to ensure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves/ learning to our full potential.  There wasn’t a moment that I was not completely engaged during the workshop. " Maddy Koch Community Planning Assistant (2012 workshop participant)"The graphic facilitation workshop that Michelle and Nancy provided for Alberta Agriculture staff in fall 2011 was fantastic!  They began by setting the stage through careful preparation with the intention of the participants knowing it would be a safe place to learn, stretch their abilities and try new things.  And it worked.  Participants found the workshop to be energizing, fun, and interesting, but most of all useful.  Everyone walked away with ways they planned to incorporate the concepts into their daily work to better engage co-workers, partners and clients.  From using it in everything from agendas, minutes, flipcharts and handouts; to ice breakers, meetings, and team building; to note-taking, brainstorming and other planning processes; the graphic facilitation techniques are here to stay.  A huge thank you to Michelle and Nancy for lighting the fire!"Sharon Stollery Ag Industry Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (2011 workshop)"What the rosViz11 gave me was the permission to draw without having to be an "artist". Such joy! Thanks Michelle & Nancy."Laurie Webster Consultant with Cognitive Edge and 2011 Graphic Facilitation workshop participant "The workshop with Nancy and Michelle has inspired me to think more visually and to use graphics - mostly hand-drawn - in new ways that replace handouts and PowerPoints, resulting in more dynamic conversations."Lynne Betts Communications Consultant (2011 workshop participant) "I have so many good things to say about the workshop I don’t know where to begin!"- Sylvia Currie, Curriculum Development and Academic Growth, BC Campus (2010 workshop participant)"I really thought the workshops was useful for me, and I’m not an artist. In a short period of time (2 days) I was able to learn simple and effective techniques to communicate basic ideas using symbols, easy figures, and colour. What I really liked about the workshops was that it was BIG. Big paper, whole body movements, large images. I’ve always drawn on small pieces of paper and this was a whole body experience!We also did some great listening excercises where in a short period of time, we had to illustrate big ideas (that were on an audio recording). It was a lot of fun and a new challenge.Overall, two thumbs up!"- Rachael Roussin, Consultant (2010 workshop participant)"Thanks for doing this again, Michelle (and Nancy!!). I highly recommend it!"- Beth Sanders, Populus Community Planning Inc. (2010 workshop participant)Past workshops have been lots of fun!  Click here to see Michelle’s 2012 blog summary.  Click here to see her 2011 blog summary. We can also travel to you so let me know if you want to see one happen in your region!Detailed Agenda:Part 1: I CAN DRAW - Hands-On Writing on Walls In this session we’ll touch the paper, play with the pens and loosen up our drawing muscles. We’ll address the basics of "drawing  on walls" including starting shapes, lettering and some initial iconography. We’ll cover basic techniques and tricks that enable any of us to draw as a way of capturing and communicating ideas with each other. We’ll ask ourselves some questions, such as "What if you draw your notes instead of wrote them?" "Visually captured what is happening at a meeting or in a classroom?" "Engage people beyond words and text?" How would that change the experience for you and others?When we get tired, we’ll spend some time looking at the work of diverse graphic facilitators, see how books can inspire us and play a bit with materials.  Dress for mess!For a sense of a very short I CAN DRAW session, here is 6 minutes from a lightening fast 45 minute workshop at Northern Voice in 2009.Part 2: Using Visuals With Group Processes & Facilitation Methods In the afternoon we’ll explore  how visuals can enhance  group  processes such as planning, meeting and evaluation. We’ll do mind maps, mandalas and simple flip chart enhancements  that you can immediately use.  We’ll look at the use of visuals with some specific group facilitation methods such as World Cafe, Open Space, Appreciative Inquiry, and others. This part of the workshop includes lecture, conversation and lots of hands on experience. We’ll explore practical applications while we continue to learn to write on walls, the base elements of the practice of graphic recording and facilitation.Part 3: More on Graphic Recording  Writing on Walls at the 2010 workshopThe second morning we’ll focus on  traditional graphic recording (actively listening and capturing what is going on in a group, rather than using graphics as a facilitation device). We’ll review and practice  how to listen for key ideas, iconography, and organizing space. We’ll do a number of practice drawings then review our own work. We will hold several practice sessions in the safe space of the classroom.  This time will prepare you to record confidently in real work settings.Part 4: Participatory Graphics and More Practice  Building on our drawing and exploration of visual practices in whole group processes, we’ll experiment more with participatory graphics.Participatory graphic from Moose Camp sessions, Northern Voice 2011This is when the pen goes into everyone’s hands, not just the graphic recorder’s. When people "make their mark" it changes their experience and ownership of the experience. It can open up how they talk and think about things.We’ll look at a range of participatory visual practices including methods such as visual icebreakers, "River of Life," Knowledge Tree," and other examples. Think about your group’s situations and needs and we can work to imagine practices that might help your real work!We’ll intersperse our learning sessions with practice and feedback periods.  We’ll finish by looking at some of the resources available to "visual practitioners!" Preparation:Come prepared to get your hands dirty.Dress is comfortable clothes that can get dirty and you won’t be sad if they are stained.Bring a pad of paper or journal to take notes - unlined is terrific.Bring a digital camera to record the fruits of your labor.We will supply the basic materials for the 2 days, but you may want to purchase in advance your own set of materials. Details available upon request.About the Facilitators:Nancy creating a visual agenda for the day, 2011 workshopNancy White:  "I am a learner, mom, gramma and chocoholic. I founded Full Circle Associates to help organizations connect through online and offline strategies.  My practices are diverse, including online interaction designer, facilitator and coach for distributed communities of practice, online learning, distributed teams and online communities, doodler and visual practitioner. I have a special interest in the NGO/NPO sector and the emerging practice of using communities and networks for work and learning. I blog at http://www.fullcirc.com/, teach, present and write on online facilitation and interaction, social architecture, social media and visual practices. I am co-author with Etienne Wenger and John Smith of Digital Habitats: stewarding technology for communities (http://www.technologyforcommunities.com).  Lately not only do I  like to draw on walls (graphic facilitation), but I spend a lot of time cooing over my new grandbaby!!! For more about my visual practice see http://www.fullcirc.com/about/visual-and-graphic-work/."Getting physical at the 2010 workshopMichelle Laurie is your key contact for more information.   "I have a passion for helping organizations and partnerships communicate as well as improve the way they create and share knowledge.  I focus on strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and engagement.  I have been successfully incorporating visual thinking into my work particularly with the use of participatory graphic exercises and visual aids.  I also use visuals in my personal life for planning weddings, newborns and other fun things!  My areas of expertise include sustainable development, collaboration and learning."RSVP : Please email michelle.k.laurie@gmail.com

A month ago I facilitated the fourth of six workshops I’m doing for a client on (online) communities of practice. The topic was "community heartbeats," with a focus on the role of events as heartbeats. Of course, I tried to pack too much into an hour and one topic we never got to was thinking about the strategic differences of small, intimate events (a.k.a. the dinner party) and big, elaborate events (a.k.a. the rock concert). I promised to blog something as follow up because I have been thinking about some heuristics around how to decide what kind of event is useful at any particular time in a community’s life, particularly communities of practice. So here are a few thoughts, along with a question for you: what kind of events (online and offline) have been particularly useful and generative for your communities (of practice or whatever!)Small Events - "Dinner Parties" - ConnectionYou know those intimate gatherings, 4, 6 or 8 people, a well planned menu, attention to atmosphere and, most importantly, thinking about the chemistry between people. When friends introduce friends, connections can be activated in a flash. We walk in the room strangers, we walk out as friends, telling stories.When our community goal is to create critical connections, small events can be the most effective way to "close triangles" between people. The intimacy creates context. Of course, good food and wine help too. But one things of a four way Skype call as a virtual small event, we can still bring that kind of care. How we introduce people, what the invitation looks like … more than "I want you two to meet." Plant the seeds of possibility in the invitation by sharing what the individuals have in common. Come with a great question to start the conversation. And with online events - more than with F2F events - consider some follow up contact. The "magic" sometimes takes more than one virtual contact.Medium Events - "Workshops" - ActionMedium sized events are the workhorses of communities.  This is where the action happens. Groups of 7 - 50 (often broken into subgroups) are the places to get things done: focused learning, team work, thinking together, tackling tough problems or opportunities and planning. Online or F2F, we can think about workshops, planning meetings, consultations and other gatherings, all time delimited and focused. This is a key to the productivity. They can’t be too long or too broad.A distinction that I think IS worth making here is that it is too easy to make these into content delivery events, moving participants to the role of audience rather than community members. There are some great resources for rethinking HOW we do these, such as Liberating Structures, GroupWorks Deck, World Cafe and Open Space - all of which focus on participant ownership and engagement of the interaction. If I could make one strong recommendation about these "medium" events, it would be to move straight content delivery into videos and save the "face time " (online or F2F) for designs that fully engage everyone.Big Events - "Rock Concerts" - Community IdentityThere is something about a "happening." The crush of the crowd. The energy that groups of over 150 generate. It is often far less about the community’s domain or content, and more a statement of identity of the group. In full force, our parties rock our organizations. In full force, we may influence in a way that is actually larger than our numbers when they are dispersed across the organization. We create presence. We celebrate. We see both what we have in common and how we are different — both very powerful community aspects. Our "rock concerts" should not be everyday affairs. Once a year, or even less , can create the feeling both for the community, and it’s visibility to the wider organization or world.What did I miss? Misinterpret?  

A while back someone wanted a copy of a recipe from me. I wanted to find (re-find!) a recipe. And I decided to create a little email group where I could email myself recipes, and then easily find them later. I shared with my sister and mom. A few others joined when they heard, but it has stayed a fairly small circle.Today, in my typical Friday morning work avoidance, I was following links from Twitter to cooking blogs, copying recipes into the list and thought, HEY, I SHOULD SHARE THIS! After all, a bit part of my work is about knowledge sharing. So I went in and made the postings public. You can see them here:99+ Recipe Circle - Google Groups.The significance of these few, little clicks is that this sort of thing happens all the time. We have our private or small group piles of good stuff, of information, of knowledge, and yet we don’t even THINK of making it open. Hey, it is EASY. So just do it. Find one treasure you can make open today. Open it up. Let your friends, networks, even the world know about it.I you would like to be added to the list, let me know (and what email address you’d like me to use). And maybe find one of these great recipes and cook up something loving and wonderful for friends and family this weekend!

In May I had the great privileged of giving my second Ignite Seattle talk (the first one was at the second ever Ignite). The video hit YouTube today (thanks to Bootstrapper Studios) I’ll let it speak for itself. Slides are also embedded below just for fun.via Nancy White - S#*!, is it time to think about a legacy? - YouTube.And the slides… Ignite Seattle May 2013 - My Mysterious Slides for a talk on Legacies from Nancy WhiteEdit July 2: See Rob Cottingham’s talk which has some resonance with mine… and he is a LOT funnier! http://robcottingham.ca/2013/07/if-i-knew-then-what-i-know-now-my-presentation-to-the-iabcbc-event/

I’m just back from a week in Nairobi, Kenya, with a group of amazing practitioners doing a wide variety of community based development work across Africa. They are masters of building value chains, community based learning, rural finance and many other domains. We gathered to spend four days expanding their practice of supporting communities of practice and networks of learning online. For me, these are yet another vector for learning.Due to the travel, I missed the first week of my Acumen sponsored MOOC (Massively Open Online Course) on Human Centered Design. I have been one of those "enroll but never do anything" people and hoped the F2F gathering group here in Seattle would pull me in. I still have my fingers crossed. It’s about vectors for learning.So I was delighted today to be pointed to a great post on "Charlie’s Blog: To Notice and to Learn" (Hat tip Stephen Downes). Charlie shares a reflection from a humanities professor on the depth of engagement in the online discussion threads of his MOOC, "The Fiction of Relationship" (Coursera link). This line summing things up from Charlie grabbed me.Lifelong learning is a bouquet of flowers that we must gather and arrange ourselves, and MOOCs are the stem of new type of flower, on which beautiful new petals might blossom.via A Heartfelt Note from a Humanities MOOC Professor | Charlie’s Blog - To Notice and to Learn.The bouquet, if we follow the metaphor, is rich with possibilities. With people’s time more fractured than ever, there is a seemingly growing disbelief that we can meaningfully engage, build trust and relationships, learn, work and play — even in asynchronous discussion threads. That promise is there. It has been there for a long time. What we only need to add is our time, care and attention.  WE have the vectors. Now let’s learn.  

From BetterEvaluation.org’s great weekly blog comes a post that has value for facilitators, not just evaluators! Week 28: Framing an evaluation: the importance of asking the right questions.First let me share the tips and the examples from the article (you’ll need to read the whole article for full context), and then in blue I’ll add my facilitator contextual comments!Eight tips for good evaluation questions:Limit the number of main evaluation questions to 3-7. Each main evaluation question can include sub-questions but these should be directly relevant for answering the main question under which they fall. When facilitating, think of each question as a stepping stone along a path that may or may not diverge. Questions in a fluid interaction need to reflect the emerging context. So plan, but plan to improvise the next question.Prioritize and rank questions in terms of importance. In the GEM example, we realized that relevance, effectiveness, and sustainability were of most importance to the USAID Mission and tried to refine our questions to best get at these elements. Same in facilitation!Link questions clearly to the evaluation purpose. In the GEM example, the evaluation purpose was to gauge the successes and failures of the program in developing and stabilizing conflict-affected areas of Mindanao. We thus tried to tailor our questions to get more at the program’s contributions to peace and stability compared to longer-term economic development goals. Ditto! I have to be careful not to keep asking questions for my OWN interest!Make sure questions are realistic in number and kind given time and resources available. In the GEM example, this did not take place. The evaluation questions were too numerous and some were not appropriate to either the evaluation methods proposed or the level of data available (local, regional, and national). YES! I need to learn this one better. I always have too many. Make sure questions can be answered definitively. Again, in the GEM example, this did not take place. For example, numerous questions asked about the efficiency/cost-benefit analysis of activity inputs and outputs. Unfortunately, much of the budget data needed to answer these questions was unavailable and some of the costs and benefits (particularly those related to peace and stability) were difficult to quantify. In the end, the evaluation team had to acknowledge that they did not have sufficient data to fully answer certain questions in their report. This is more subtle in facilitation as we have the opportunity to try and surface/tease out answers that may not be clear to anyone at the start. Choose questions which reflect real stakeholders’ needs and interests. This issue centers on the question of utility. In the GEM example, the evaluation team discovered that a follow-on activity had already been designed prior to the evaluation and that the evaluation would serve more to validate/tweak this design rather than truly shape it from scratch. The team thus tailored their questions to get more at peace, security, and governance issues given the focus on the follow-on activity. AMEN! YES!Don’t use questions which contain two or more questions in one. See for example question #6 in the attached—"out of the different types of infrastructure projects supported (solar dyers, box culverts, irrigation canals, boat landings, etc.), were there specific types that were more effective and efficient (from a cost and time perspective) in meeting targets and programmatic objectives?" Setting aside the fact that the evaluators simply did not have access to sufficient data to answer which of the more than 10 different types of infrastructure projects was most efficient (from both a cost and time perspective), the different projects had very different intended uses and number of beneficiaries reached. Thus, while box culverts (small bridge) might have been both efficient (in terms of cost and time) and effective (in terms of allowing people to cross), their overall effectiveness in developing and stabilizing conflict-affected areas of Mindanao were minimal. Same for facilitation. Keep it simple!Use questions which focus on what was achieved, how and to what extent, and not simple yes/no questions. In the GEM example, simply asking if an activity had or had not met its intended targets was much less informative than asking how those targets were set, whether those targets were appropriate, and how progress towards meeting those targets were tracked. Agree on avoiding simple yes/no unless of course, it is deciding if it is time to go to lunch. I’m currently pulling together some materials on evaluating communities of practice, and I think this list will be a useful addition. I hope to be posting more on that soon.By the way, BetterEvaluation.org is a great resource. Full disclosure, I’ve been providing some advice on the community aspects! But I’m really proud of what Patricia Rogers and her amazing team have done.

As usual, Michelle is more organized than I am and got a post up PDQ for our upcoming September workshops.Registration is Open!Locations and dates: Rossland, B.C. (September 23-24) and Vancouver, B.C.* (September 26-27).Rossland Worskhop Pricing: $850+GST (5%)Rossland Workshop Registration: Email: michelle.k.laurie@gmail.comVancouver BC Details: *Please note the Vancouver workshop is being hosted by BC Campus & The University of British Columbia. For details and registration, contact them directly: http://scope.bccampus.ca/course/view.php?id=377Drawing on Walls at the 2011 Graphic Facilitation Workshop in Rossland, B.C.Workshop Description:This experiential workshop takes place almost entirely at the drawing surface. We’ll start by warming up our drawing muscles and silencing those pesky inner censors. Next, we’ll build into the basic practices of graphic facilitation and recording. We will pay attention to preparation, the actual visual work, and follow up including digital capture of paper based images. Finally, we will devote time to participatory graphic approaches, practicing and giving peer feedback. You can expect to go away with icons, ideas and approaches which you can use immediately, as well as ideas about how to hone your practice.See Sylvia Currie’s great video from the 2011 workshop here!See our Harvest from the 2012 workshop here!Looking for the nitty gritty on what the workshop will cover? Download the details: Rosviz_Tools_Takehome_ListWhen might we use this practice?Sometimes our imaginations are sparked by a visual where words fail us. Think about when communities plan and imagine their futures, when teams consider the possible outcomes for their projects, when groups create maps to track their progress. These are all opportunities to use visuals to engage and deepen community dialogue. You can use visual thinking to improve teamwork, communications, meetings, build engagement and to plan work. Step out of the PowerPoint rut! Or at least ILLUSTRATE your presentations!Who should attend?Facilitators, project managers, team leaders and members, town planners, teachers and anyone who would like to engage others beyond words.Please note: You do NOT need previous experience or have to consider yourself an artist. At some level, we can all draw and use visuals to enhance our communications and engage diverse audiences.Testimonials from 2010, 2011 and 2012 participants:"I am still on cloud 9 after the Graphic Facilitation workshop. Thank you soooo much. I feel recharged after that! You two are such great facilitators. You were willing to bend over backwards to ensure we were comfortable and enjoying ourselves/ learning to our full potential. There wasn’t a moment that I was not completely engaged during the workshop. " Maddy Koch, Community Planning Assistant (2012 workshop participant)"The graphic facilitation workshop that Michelle and Nancy provided for Alberta Agriculture staff in fall 2011 was fantastic! They began by setting the stage through careful preparation with the intention of the participants knowing it would be a safe place to learn, stretch their abilities and try new things. And it worked. Participants found the workshop to be energizing, fun, and interesting, but most of all useful. Everyone walked away with ways they planned to incorporate the concepts into their daily work to better engage co-workers, partners and clients. From using it in everything from agendas, minutes, flipcharts and handouts; to ice breakers, meetings, and team building; to note-taking, brainstorming and other planning processes; the graphic facilitation techniques are here to stay. A huge thank you to Michelle and Nancy for lighting the fire!"Sharon Stollery, Ag Industry Extension Branch, Alberta Agriculture and Rural Development (2011 workshop)"What the rosViz11 gave me was the permission to draw without having to be an "artist". Such joy! Thanks Michelle & Nancy."Laurie Webster, Consultant with Cognitive Edge and 2011 Graphic Facilitation workshop participant"The workshop with Nancy and Michelle has inspired me to think more visually and to use graphics - mostly hand-drawn - in new ways that replace handouts and PowerPoints, resulting in more dynamic conversations."Lynne Betts, Communications Consultant (2011 workshop participant)"I have so many good things to say about the workshop I don’t know where to begin!"- Sylvia Currie, Curriculum Development and Academic Growth, BC Campus (2010 workshop participant, 2011 mentor)"I really thought the workshops was useful for me, and I’m not an artist. In a short period of time (2 days) I was able to learn simple and effective techniques to communicate basic ideas using symbols, easy figures, and colour. What I really liked about the workshops was that it was BIG. Big paper, whole body movements, large images. I’ve always drawn on small pieces of paper and this was a whole body experience!We also did some great listening exercises where in a short period of time, we had to illustrate big ideas (that were on an audio recording). It was a lot of fun and a new challenge.Overall, two thumbs up!"- Rachael Roussin, Consultant (2010 workshop participant)"Thanks for doing this again, Michelle (and Nancy!!). I highly recommend it!"- Beth Sanders, Populus Community Planning Inc. (2010 workshop participant)Past workshops have been lots of fun! Click here to see my 2012 blog summary. Click here to see my 2011 blog summary. We can also travel to you so let me know if you want to see one happen in your region!Detailed Agenda:Part 1: I CAN DRAW - Hands-On Writing on Walls In this session we’ll touch the paper, play with the pens and loosen up our drawing muscles. We’ll address the basics of "drawing on walls" including starting shapes, lettering and some initial iconography. We’ll cover basic techniques and tricks that enable any of us to draw as a way of capturing and communicating ideas with each other. We’ll ask ourselves some questions, such as "What if you draw your notes instead of wrote them?" "Visually captured what is happening at a meeting or in a classroom?" "Engage people beyond words and text?" How would that change the experience for you and others?When we get tired, we’ll spend some time looking at the work of diverse graphic facilitators, see how books can inspire us and play a bit with materials. Dress for mess!For a sense of a very short I CAN DRAW session, here is 6 minutes from a lightening fast 45 minute workshop at Northern Voice in 2009.Part 2: Using Visuals With Group Processes & Facilitation Methods In the afternoon we’ll explore how visuals can enhance group processes such as planning, meeting and evaluation. We’ll do mind maps, mandalas and simple flip chart enhancements that you can immediately use. We’ll look at the use of visuals with some specific group facilitation methods such as World Cafe, Open Space, Appreciative Inquiry, and others. This part of the workshop includes lecture, conversation and lots of hands on experience. We’ll explore practical applications while we continue to learn to write on walls, the base elements of the practice of graphic recording and facilitation.Part 3: More on Graphic Recording Writing on Walls at the 2010 workshopThe second morning we’ll focus on traditional graphic recording (actively listening and capturing what is going on in a group, rather than using graphics as a facilitation device). We’ll review and practice how to listen for key ideas, iconography, and organizing space. We’ll do a number of practice drawings then review our own work. We will hold several practice sessions in the safe space of the classroom. This time will prepare you to record confidently in real work settings.Part 4: Participatory Graphics and More Practice Building on our drawing and exploration of visual practices in whole group processes, we’ll experiment more with participatory graphics.Participatory graphic from Moose Camp sessions, Northern Voice 2011This is when the pen goes into everyone’s hands, not just the graphic recorder’s. When people "make their mark" it changes their experience and ownership of the experience. It can open up how they talk and think about things.We’ll look at a range of participatory visual practices including methods such as visual icebreakers, "River of Life," Knowledge Tree," and other examples. Think about your group’s situations and needs and we can work to imagine practices that might help your real work!We’ll intersperse our learning sessions with practice and feedback periods. We’ll finish by looking at some of the resources available to "visual practitioners!" Preparation:Come prepared to get your hands dirty.Dress is comfortable clothes that can get dirty and you won’t be sad if they are stained.Bring a pad of paper or journal to take notes - unlined is terrific.Bring a digital camera to record the fruits of your labor.We will supply the basic materials for the 2 days, but you may want to purchase in advance your own set of materials. Details available upon request.About the Facilitators:Nancy creating a visual agenda for the day, 2011 workshopNancy White: "I am a learner, mom, gramma and chocoholic. I founded Full Circle Associates to help organizations connect through online and offline strategies. My practices are diverse, including online interaction designer, facilitator and coach for distributed communities of practice, online learning, distributed teams and online communities, doodler and visual practitioner. I have a special interest in the NGO/NPO sector and the emerging practice of using communities and networks for work and learning. I blog at http://www.fullcirc.com/, teach, present and write on online facilitation and interaction, social architecture, social media and visual practices. I am co-author with Etienne Wenger and John Smith of Digital Habitats: stewarding technology for communities (http://www.technologyforcommunities.com). Lately not only do I like to draw on walls (graphic facilitation), but I spend a lot of time cooing over my grandkids!!! For more about my visual practice see http://www.fullcirc.com/about/visual-and-graphic-work/."Getting physical at the 2010 workshopMichelle Laurie is your key contact for more information. "I have a passion for helping organizations and partnerships communicate as well as improve the way they create and share knowledge. I focus on strategic planning, monitoring and evaluation, facilitation and engagement. I have been successfully incorporating visual thinking into my work particularly with the use of participatory graphic exercises and visual aids. I also use visuals in my personal life for planning weddings, newborns and other fun things! My areas of expertise include sustainable development, collaboration and learning."RSVP : Please email michelle.k.laurie@gmail.com to confirm your participation and find out more details!

From Pardon My Dust: The Chalk Art of Peter Han. I loved this quote from the following video…"If I can draw it, if I can see it, if I can understand it, I can do it."Peter HanThis is why pens and paper are essential for F2F and whiteboards for online! 

(One of those blog posts that was started ages ago and finally finished…)A couple of months ago I was surprised to see a tweet that identified me as one of the top 25 "KM" people on Twitter. What??? After digging around, it turns out they use LittleBird and the algorithm relates to who I connect to on Twitter, who connects to me, and my "KM" related words. Since I tag a lot for #KM4Dev (Knowledge Management for Development) I think this is why I showed up on the list. And because I have a pretty darn good network.But lets get back to this KM thing, particularly since the KM4Dev community meeting is coming up in just over a week here in Seattle (hosted by moi and some good friends). I tend to emphasize that information can be managed, knowledge can be shared. The social aspect of knowledge and knowledge sharing is critical. People ask people, they tend to ignore the best practices data bases. Here is a little blip about this from 2011 at a Knowledge Share Fair in Rome."Knowledge sharing is necessary to do complex work in a complex world"And…here is the top 25 list. The other 75 can be found here.weknowmoreDavid GurteenDave SnowdenStan GarfieldNancy WhiteVMaryAbrahamJack VinsonEuan SempleAlice MacGillivrayknowledgetankIan ThorpeRichard HarePeter WestGauri SalokheChris Collison#KMers ChatStuart FrenchKM AustraliaJohn TropeaKMWorld MagazineChristian DE NEEFMario SoaviewenlbKM AsiaSteve DaleWhat I find very interesting is that many of these folks are involved in KM in international development. Are we just more tweety? More sharing? More social? Or we like to goof around a lot on Twitter! Oh, and I got a BADGE! OK, back to work….

Image from From http://www.fao.org/docrep/015/i2516e/i2516e.pdfVia Stephen Downes came this snippet that caught my eye.  Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campus ~ Stephen’s Web.Tony Bates writes, "Despite all the hype about MOOCs, hybrid learning is probably the most significant development in e-learning - or indeed in teaching generally - in post-secondary education, at least here in Canada." I think that if you look inside universities, this is true. But outside formal education institutions, the hybrid model is virtually nonexistent.Hm, in my world, which is definitely outside post-secondary education and not in Canada, blended models are front and center. So I thought I’d leave Stephen a note and get Mike Culligan, a colleague from LINGOS and Last Mile Learning, to chime in. Here is what we replied in the comments. I have added some links to mine which were not in the original comments!Re: Discussing design models for hybrid/blended learning and the impact on the campusnancyw, July 18, 2013I wanted to give you a heads up that the hybrid model is indeed alive and well outside of formal education institutions. FAO’s most successful learning programs are now blended (particularly good examples in S. Africa around Food Security Policy learning projects) , LINGOS.ORG has been getting very good results w/ blended and showing significant resources savings from their traditional F2F offerings, and better results than pure play elearning, and other organizations in development are moving in the same direction. Little old me too - much of the capacity building/structured learning I facilitate is now blended. I think the problem is these different worlds don’t talk to each other very much. [Comment] [Permalink]More examples - International Developmentmculligan, July 19, 2013I work with LINGOs - the international development organization Nancy White mentioned above. In addition to the examples she provided, there are more examples from Plan International, Management Sciences for Health, etc.> One of the programs with the longest track record is the Virtual Leadership Development (Program http://www.msh.org/resources/virtual-leadership-development-program-vldp ). Operating since 2002, the program’s website describes the learning experience as follows:>"Rather than giving a few top level managers off-site leadership training for one to two weeks or more, the VLDP trains up to 12 teams of four to 10 people virtually over the course of 13 weeks. The VLDP requires approximately four to six hours of individual commitment per week. Team members work independently on the VLDP web site with additional support from the program workbook. They also participate in on-site team meetings within their organizations throughout the program. During the VLDP, each team plans and develops an action plan that addresses a real organizational or programmatic challenge facing them.I recently completed a desk study with Scott Leslie for another organization (and I think we’ll be able to share it soon!) to review their elearning options and again, the blended learning option was high on our analysis. My work a couple of weeks ago in Kenya with leaders of agricultural networks which focus on learning across various ag domains again identified blended as a significant option, allowing both the deeper focus and relationship that we can wring out of F2F, with the ongoing, "home-based" learning that the network members can do online.Formal, informal and in-between, blended RULES in my experience. What about in yours? Stephen, your post also reminded me we still have a lot of network weaving to do to help this type of learning permeate across the membranes of the .edu, .org and .com worlds!

Earlier this week Chris Corrigan pointed to a great blog post from one of my favorite curmudgeons, Dave Snowden (Dave, yes, I think a cacophony of curmudgeon’s is perfect!) on the heuristics of complexity.  Dave wrote in (Of tittering, twittering & twitterpating) the following:We need to draw a fine line between legitimate experimentation and slipping into magpiedom and the legitimacy probably depends on the degree to which there is a coherent narrative around the core activity.Aside from that I made a serious of points that apply more generally, as well as to the foresight community who were my primary targets. They included:The whole success of social computing is because it conforms to the three heuristics of complex systems: finely grained objects, distributed cognition & disintermediationI an uncertain world we need fast, real time feedbacks not linear processes and criticism includes short cycle experimental processes which remain linear.The real dangers are retrospective coherence and premature convergenceNarrative is vital, but story-telling is at best ambiguousNeed to shift from thinking about drivers to modulatorsYou can’t eliminate cognitive bias, you work with itExtrinsic rewards destroy intrinsic motivationMessy coherence is the essence of managing complexityI suggest you read the whole post for context (and humor).  I could ruminate on any of these, but I have my peeps coming into town starting today for the Seattle KM4Dev Gathering (Dave, we’ll still try and tempt you!) so I’ll just say this one is my focus for the week: "Need to shift from thinking about drivers to modulators."As we explore next week the practice of "managing knowledge" for international development, this could be a cracking good opener… Now I need a visual. Any ideas?

Hey smart people, especially my KM and collaboration peeps, I need your help!I’ve been trolling around to find examples of monitoring and assessment rubrics to evaluate how well a collaboration platform is actually working. In other words, are the intended strategic activities and goals fulfilled? Are people using it for unintended purposes? What are the adoption and use patterns? How do you assess the need for tweaks, changed or deleted functionality?I can find piles of white papers and reports on how to pick a platform in terms of vendors and features. Vendors seem to produce them in droves. I certainly can fall back on the Digital Habitats materials in that area as well.But come on, why are there few things that help us understand if our existing platforms and tool configurations are or are not working?Here are some of my burning questions. Pointers and answers DEEPLY appreciated. And if you are super passionate about this, ask me directly about the action research some of us are embarking upon (nancyw at fullcirc dot com)!How do you do evaluate the strategic use of your collaboration platform(s) and tools in your organization?What indicators are you looking for? (There can be a lot, so my assumption is we are looking for ones that really get to the strategic sweet spot)Does the assessment need to be totally context specific, or are there shared patterns for similar organizations or domains?How often do you do it?How do we involve users in assessments?How have the results prompted changes (or not and if not, why not)?Please, share this widely!THANKS!

Tim Bonneman blogged yesterday about the International Association of Facilitators "International Facilitation Week." He pondered…I wonder if anyone is planning any events related specifically to online facilitation.I started to comment on Tim’s blog, but realized the length of my response suggested I blog here and link back, so here goes…Hiya Tim,I think this is an excellent idea and, alas, for me, the timing sucks. I have put a red line on my to do list promising myself not to bite of anything else. (I’m doing an action research project on how to usefully evaluate the socio-technical stuff associated with organizations’ "collaboration platforms!!" And yes, i bit off WAY more than I should have! See this previous post)But I think your idea is really good and that there is a network of people out there that would benefit from a week of distributed connection, learning and reflection.Online facilitation practice has  diversified since I jumped in in 1996. Some of those sub areas have matured. For example, the practices around "online community management/facilitation" have had great stewardship by folks such as the Online Community Roundtable (Shout out to Rachel Happe and friends) and others, and there have been really interesting developments in the facilitation of learning online (see Tony Carr’s work and kudos for pulling together some seminal work around facilitation of learning at University of Cape Town in South Africa). There new generation of online community people who are (re)discovering practices us old timers used back in the early online facilitation days, and adapting and expanding them in new ways and for new contexts.The proliferation of tools, particularly tools that enable connection outside of bounded groups (such as Twitter, Facebook, and previously the emergent networks that were formed BETWEEN blogs and commentors) has led us to an era that is not just about online group facilitation, but online network stimulation and facilitation. June Holley’s work in network weaving (which to me is still a lot about bounded groups but working in unbounded spaces) is an example.These tools have also greatly expanded the possibilities of dispersed collaboration, but  I have to say, this seems like an area where a few have succeeded (some wildly) and many have been left with grand dreams that turned to empty promises. I think this is because we are talking about facilitating both between people and between organizations and their politics, policies and structures. So we have a blend of facilitation and organizational development, if you will.So the field is rich for reflection and ripe for dreaming.Nancy

10 Brilliant videos on the Art of Hosting « Chris Corrigan.This is too good not to repost… and gives me a slight sense of respite for not posting in so long. (Many thoughts and stories, little time…) [Edit on Octo 8. Great catch by Stephen Downes to clarify we are talking about hosting of human gatherings, not websites!]Over the past few years Jerry Nagel and a group of practitioners in Minnesota have been working deeply with the Art of Hosting in the state.  The Bush Foundation, who has supported a lot of this work, helped create 10 fantastic videos on the Art of Hosting and some of the methods of the process.  You could look through these and get a great foundation in what it’s all about.  Enjoy!1.  Art of Hosting - introduction: https://vimeo.com/726144712. AOH Community Conversations for the common good:https://vimeo.com/406790353. AOH Four-fold Practice: https://vimeo.com/697854614. AOH Harvesting: https://vimeo.com/697854655. AOH Collective Story Harvest:https://vimeo.com/697987326. AOH Chaordic Path: https://vimeo.com/697854627. AOH Chaordic Stepping Stones:https://vimeo.com/697987318. AOH Circle Process: https://vimeo.com/697854649. AOH Open Space: https://vimeo.com/6979872910.  AOH ProAction Cafe: https://vimeo.com/69798730 Here is one example: The Art of Hosting - Four-Fold Practice from Kevin McKeever on Vimeo.