(so that one leads to another... and another... and another)
Written by Jonathan Hughes
The three key points that I shared from the front of the room (each went with a mental image)
PURPOSE... PEBBLES... & RIPPLES
(1) PURPOSE: Within each symposium you could say there is a 'sub-purpose' for that particular audience... in that particular place... at that particular time.
With every new symposium, it's always smart to get a sense, early on, of what that might be...
(2) PEBBLES: Imagine a timeline represented by a line of pebbles - each to mark a different event... a big pebble = a symposium
What emerged in my Open Space was the idea of holding smaller events (smaller pebbles) before and/or after
For a business community, it might be a short 'preview' taster presentation a few weeks before
For a local community of family and friends, it could be a music & wine event a few weeks after
And each of those events could be swapped - a follow-up event with local businesses - a social & fun taster event for friends
The key thing is to see the 'big pebble' symposium in the context of a line of events - that create continuity in that community
(3) RIPPLES: In the same way... rather than thinking of each symposium as an end in itself...
Think of the intention in a different way... as a series of expansive rings... the initial intention being:
To create a community (with your fellow facilitators)...
That delivers symposiums...
That create community...
That delivers symposiums...
That create community...
One final thought - the words 'continuity' and 'community' are very closely linked... and through their heart runs the idea of sustainability in the broadest sense...
As a community we need to make ourselves sustainable... and to do that, we need to be smart with our energy... directing it to places where it pays to invest our time and energy... that lends itself to, and will reward, continued effort & input...a place where we can draw on the strengths of others... and unearth hidden local strengths... and tap local passions & longings... show the untapped community spirit that already exists yet (pre-symposium) remains unconnected... and see a series of symposiums (or like-minded initiatives) gathering momentum...
By applying continuous energy to a place, or to a certain gathering of groups & individuals, we will facilitate the emergence of the community that already exists... the hidden community all around us that is craving to be made manifest and brought into being...
Friday, August 17
Thursday, August 16
ATD and Self-Sustaining Communities
Written by Heather Salmon
Inquiry: What could/would it look like to channel the knowledge gleaned from the Symposium and it’s participants through the infrastructure of the ATD/Pachamama Alliance into the co-creation of fully self-sustaining communities?
This also includes Embracing/Embodying the practice of the “Sacred Art of Living”
1. Note… UNESCO is working with the UN on a 2010 World Fair in Egypt at the base of the pyramids. Their objective is to showcase a fully self-sustaining model for “Leave No Trace REFUGEE Camps” and promote World Peace. Heather Salmon is working with the team who is visioning and working on this project and the possible use of the Burningman model. Also interesting to note is why Refugee Camps would be considered the thing to showcase if something rather serious wasn’t anticipated to be coming down the pike so to speak. Given the fact that 80% of the World’s population lives within 100 miles of the rising sea shores and with Solar Cycle 24 expected to peak in 2011/12 which is expected to have the ability to take out satellites, electrical grid systems, etc., it might be a very worthy endeavor to examine this area further.
2. Examining/Identifying the Physical Infrastructure and technological requirements for full self-sustainability:
- power, water, food, shelter, methods of exchange
- solar panels, wind power
- green houses
- consideration regarding climate and sustainability
- understanding the practicality and validity of Geodesic domes
i. Buckminster Fuller (movie “The Next Industrial Revolution” is about his life)
ii. Wood frame vs. poly carbonates
1. double paned walls
- www.WorldsNest.com located in Taos, New Mexico, this house/retreat center is a showcase of self-sustainability. They:
1. Generate their own power;
2. Collect, clean and recycle their water times;
3. Process their own waste;
4. Grow their own food;
5. Do their own health care!
Heather’s friends with creators/founders Robert Plarr and Victoria Peters
3. Examples of Existing Communities:
- Morehouse (Teri Sugg lived there for 18 years beginning in 1968; a community of 40-60 people);
i. Supported themselves by teaching what they’ve learned by living together
ii. She said that a strength was that everybody felt like they had power and everyone had the right to say no.
iii. A weakness was that there existed a sense of superiority within the group. Also the leader died a few years ago and there is now more of a female presence and more of a willingness to connect with other groups.
- Harbin Hot Springs (www.Harbin.org) – Heather Salmon is in a 3 month Candidacy for Residency; 150 person community, operating for almost 40 years
- Others: 12 Tribes, Universal Temple of Higher Consciousness, Love Israel Family (Heather has visited);
- Rocky Mountain Institute (www.RMI.org) – Amory Windstar Lovins (has a 50’ dome w/ 3 different levels, solar panels, biodome)
- Ideas for analysis:
i. examine strengths/weaknesses, ancient practices vs. new/radical approaches; shared values
4. www.HolacracyOne.com – remodeling how we organize ourselves; deepening the space around sovereignty
- Wisdom Councils – are about dynamic facilitation and how we tap into the intelligence of the group and make recommendations
- EXAMPLE: Landless Workers movement in Brazil (MST, PT, Workers Party)
i. they take over unused land
ii. have a participatory budget process to determine where they want the money to go.
- we can use more examples within the symposium which help to move us out of conceptual ideas and into action (also good usage of WiserEarth.com)
5. Global Happiness Index
6. Lessons from Brazil and indigenous cultures (examples of what’s working)
7. Using the symposium as a catalyst for the networking of sustainable groups/communities.
8. Importance of creating mutually beneficial relationships with the Alliance.
- for example, the SF Urban Alliance for Sustainability has opened its door as a multiuse facility that is/can provide housing, gathering space, showcase center, etc. and is grateful for the opportunity to support the work of the Pachamama Alliance and the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium and feel like there could/should be a way to reciprocate the benefit. This could be by connecting facilitators with a way to experience some tangible material and personal benefit for themselves that could directly impact their ability to live a more Green and self-sustaining lives.
9. Indymedia/Wiser Earth – great opportunities to share best practices.
Inquiry: What could/would it look like to channel the knowledge gleaned from the Symposium and it’s participants through the infrastructure of the ATD/Pachamama Alliance into the co-creation of fully self-sustaining communities?
This also includes Embracing/Embodying the practice of the “Sacred Art of Living”
1. Note… UNESCO is working with the UN on a 2010 World Fair in Egypt at the base of the pyramids. Their objective is to showcase a fully self-sustaining model for “Leave No Trace REFUGEE Camps” and promote World Peace. Heather Salmon is working with the team who is visioning and working on this project and the possible use of the Burningman model. Also interesting to note is why Refugee Camps would be considered the thing to showcase if something rather serious wasn’t anticipated to be coming down the pike so to speak. Given the fact that 80% of the World’s population lives within 100 miles of the rising sea shores and with Solar Cycle 24 expected to peak in 2011/12 which is expected to have the ability to take out satellites, electrical grid systems, etc., it might be a very worthy endeavor to examine this area further.
2. Examining/Identifying the Physical Infrastructure and technological requirements for full self-sustainability:
- power, water, food, shelter, methods of exchange
- solar panels, wind power
- green houses
- consideration regarding climate and sustainability
- understanding the practicality and validity of Geodesic domes
i. Buckminster Fuller (movie “The Next Industrial Revolution” is about his life)
ii. Wood frame vs. poly carbonates
1. double paned walls
- www.WorldsNest.com located in Taos, New Mexico, this house/retreat center is a showcase of self-sustainability. They:
1. Generate their own power;
2. Collect, clean and recycle their water times;
3. Process their own waste;
4. Grow their own food;
5. Do their own health care!
Heather’s friends with creators/founders Robert Plarr and Victoria Peters
3. Examples of Existing Communities:
- Morehouse (Teri Sugg lived there for 18 years beginning in 1968; a community of 40-60 people);
i. Supported themselves by teaching what they’ve learned by living together
ii. She said that a strength was that everybody felt like they had power and everyone had the right to say no.
iii. A weakness was that there existed a sense of superiority within the group. Also the leader died a few years ago and there is now more of a female presence and more of a willingness to connect with other groups.
- Harbin Hot Springs (www.Harbin.org) – Heather Salmon is in a 3 month Candidacy for Residency; 150 person community, operating for almost 40 years
- Others: 12 Tribes, Universal Temple of Higher Consciousness, Love Israel Family (Heather has visited);
- Rocky Mountain Institute (www.RMI.org) – Amory Windstar Lovins (has a 50’ dome w/ 3 different levels, solar panels, biodome)
- Ideas for analysis:
i. examine strengths/weaknesses, ancient practices vs. new/radical approaches; shared values
4. www.HolacracyOne.com – remodeling how we organize ourselves; deepening the space around sovereignty
- Wisdom Councils – are about dynamic facilitation and how we tap into the intelligence of the group and make recommendations
- EXAMPLE: Landless Workers movement in Brazil (MST, PT, Workers Party)
i. they take over unused land
ii. have a participatory budget process to determine where they want the money to go.
- we can use more examples within the symposium which help to move us out of conceptual ideas and into action (also good usage of WiserEarth.com)
5. Global Happiness Index
6. Lessons from Brazil and indigenous cultures (examples of what’s working)
7. Using the symposium as a catalyst for the networking of sustainable groups/communities.
8. Importance of creating mutually beneficial relationships with the Alliance.
- for example, the SF Urban Alliance for Sustainability has opened its door as a multiuse facility that is/can provide housing, gathering space, showcase center, etc. and is grateful for the opportunity to support the work of the Pachamama Alliance and the Awakening the Dreamer Symposium and feel like there could/should be a way to reciprocate the benefit. This could be by connecting facilitators with a way to experience some tangible material and personal benefit for themselves that could directly impact their ability to live a more Green and self-sustaining lives.
9. Indymedia/Wiser Earth – great opportunities to share best practices.
Keeping the Energy Up at the End of the Symposium
Written by Mark Bachelder
This offering came out of my observation, after being part of 8 to 10 symposiums, that the energy level generally declines, steadily, during the last third or so of the symposium. The energy, the level of excitement, the intensity of the audience's engagement tends to continually rise after completion of the loss-process, through How Did We Get Here, the Universe Story, etc. up through Paul Hawken and the Wombat video. There is a tendency for it to get a little flat during the many handouts, declarations, etc, and What Will You Do items. Not that these are not key to the intention of the Symposium, just that they are a little flat, and we and participants focus seems to dissipate, and I noticed facilitators' energy seeming to dissipate, too. A good performance, a good play or movie continues to build, all the way up to the completion, and has left me wondering if we couldn't have our symposiums do the same. After all, we're supposed to leave the participants Awakening, right?
To this end, we had input terrific input from several people. These are their (paraphrased) comments and observations, (and their accreditation, where I have that). All of these items have been tried and approved by various facilitators in various parts of our Awakening the Dreamer community:
As a suggestion for the "getting into action" group exercise: hand out the "personal practices" sheet, at the usual time, but tell folks "don't complete it yet", then during the getting into action section, have people share with the group like this:
What are some of their current personal actions, and what new ones will they be taking on?
What community actions are they involved in, and/or what new ones are they taking on (there can be lot of passion expressed here, and that can really bring the energy up!)
Have the group go around two or more times – first with their personal practices, and then with their community involvement shares.
The feed back form – allow 5 minutes for completing this (no more – if folks need more time, they can complete it after the close)
Alexandra Rebecca Hubbell's observation: the participants LOVE to hear from us about what we are doing – especially about our own personal practices (this is where I connected with the notion of eliminating plastic bags from my own life, for instance)
(Ingrid Martine) In the Closing section, alter the paragraph, (just after the Vaclav Havel quote) that says "we are almost done" and "we have a few housekeeping items": when we say these people start to leave, energetically and some times actually. They take it as a signal that the real symposium is over. Find a way to state where we are in a more compelling way. Also, the bracelet: don't call it a "little gift" – it is a sacred offering in partnership and community, and present them gracefully, elegantly, not in tangled mat.
After the "What gives you hope" video – ask the audience to respond – "popcorn" style – they get to weigh in the value of today's work as well!
AND – it has been suggested (and tried with great success) to change the order of things in the close section, like this:
What Gives You Hope video
"Popcorn" sharing from the audience, about "what gives YOU hope"?
Present the bracelets (as a sacred offering)
Close the sacred space
Have someone read the final Thomas Berry quote (and or find an even more compelling and energizing quote)
Finally, play the Willie Nelson song/Eco Spot
Now, it's over!
Mary Brown has used this format at the very end of the close:
First, close the sacred space, and then tell the Cherokee Story.
Then play the "What Gives You Hope" video
And then, as part of the volunteer acknowledgment have each volunteer read a quote, pertinent to "what gives you hope".
Then, have everyone in the room stand in a circle and pass the bracelets, and mutually tie them on to one another, and then stay and regard one another with admiration and respect.
Play the Willie Nelson song, as they do this. (folks have been known to break out in spontaneous singing!)
Some other music to be added at the end, after close and as people are milling about: Monty Python's "Universe Song" (it's both humorous and existential at the same time).
And finally, Cindy Dixon has offered wine and cheese parties to follow the close. It at least keeps people to the very end, and allows folks even more time to build community, or let the impact of the day's work sink in.
This offering came out of my observation, after being part of 8 to 10 symposiums, that the energy level generally declines, steadily, during the last third or so of the symposium. The energy, the level of excitement, the intensity of the audience's engagement tends to continually rise after completion of the loss-process, through How Did We Get Here, the Universe Story, etc. up through Paul Hawken and the Wombat video. There is a tendency for it to get a little flat during the many handouts, declarations, etc, and What Will You Do items. Not that these are not key to the intention of the Symposium, just that they are a little flat, and we and participants focus seems to dissipate, and I noticed facilitators' energy seeming to dissipate, too. A good performance, a good play or movie continues to build, all the way up to the completion, and has left me wondering if we couldn't have our symposiums do the same. After all, we're supposed to leave the participants Awakening, right?
To this end, we had input terrific input from several people. These are their (paraphrased) comments and observations, (and their accreditation, where I have that). All of these items have been tried and approved by various facilitators in various parts of our Awakening the Dreamer community:
As a suggestion for the "getting into action" group exercise: hand out the "personal practices" sheet, at the usual time, but tell folks "don't complete it yet", then during the getting into action section, have people share with the group like this:
What are some of their current personal actions, and what new ones will they be taking on?
What community actions are they involved in, and/or what new ones are they taking on (there can be lot of passion expressed here, and that can really bring the energy up!)
Have the group go around two or more times – first with their personal practices, and then with their community involvement shares.
The feed back form – allow 5 minutes for completing this (no more – if folks need more time, they can complete it after the close)
Alexandra Rebecca Hubbell's observation: the participants LOVE to hear from us about what we are doing – especially about our own personal practices (this is where I connected with the notion of eliminating plastic bags from my own life, for instance)
(Ingrid Martine) In the Closing section, alter the paragraph, (just after the Vaclav Havel quote) that says "we are almost done" and "we have a few housekeeping items": when we say these people start to leave, energetically and some times actually. They take it as a signal that the real symposium is over. Find a way to state where we are in a more compelling way. Also, the bracelet: don't call it a "little gift" – it is a sacred offering in partnership and community, and present them gracefully, elegantly, not in tangled mat.
After the "What gives you hope" video – ask the audience to respond – "popcorn" style – they get to weigh in the value of today's work as well!
AND – it has been suggested (and tried with great success) to change the order of things in the close section, like this:
What Gives You Hope video
"Popcorn" sharing from the audience, about "what gives YOU hope"?
Present the bracelets (as a sacred offering)
Close the sacred space
Have someone read the final Thomas Berry quote (and or find an even more compelling and energizing quote)
Finally, play the Willie Nelson song/Eco Spot
Now, it's over!
Mary Brown has used this format at the very end of the close:
First, close the sacred space, and then tell the Cherokee Story.
Then play the "What Gives You Hope" video
And then, as part of the volunteer acknowledgment have each volunteer read a quote, pertinent to "what gives you hope".
Then, have everyone in the room stand in a circle and pass the bracelets, and mutually tie them on to one another, and then stay and regard one another with admiration and respect.
Play the Willie Nelson song, as they do this. (folks have been known to break out in spontaneous singing!)
Some other music to be added at the end, after close and as people are milling about: Monty Python's "Universe Song" (it's both humorous and existential at the same time).
And finally, Cindy Dixon has offered wine and cheese parties to follow the close. It at least keeps people to the very end, and allows folks even more time to build community, or let the impact of the day's work sink in.
Tuesday, July 24
Workgroup Notes: ATD and Speaking Circles
Written by Laurie Javier
1. The connecting exercise (looking into our partners eyes without speaking) was a powerful exercise. We thought that Lee could create it in a way that it would fit into the early part of the symposium to get people in relationship with one another and feeling safe.
2. The connection that is possible after doing such an exercise can really help overcome some of the social justice issues as well. Our theory was that once one feels connected and safe with a person they no longer exclude them (whether they were aware of doing that or not).
3. Lee thought that he could create an exercise that could be used at the end of the symposium that would have people leaving the symposium in a great space. A space that was open and inviting to everyone; to the strangers on the street.
1. The connecting exercise (looking into our partners eyes without speaking) was a powerful exercise. We thought that Lee could create it in a way that it would fit into the early part of the symposium to get people in relationship with one another and feeling safe.
2. The connection that is possible after doing such an exercise can really help overcome some of the social justice issues as well. Our theory was that once one feels connected and safe with a person they no longer exclude them (whether they were aware of doing that or not).
3. Lee thought that he could create an exercise that could be used at the end of the symposium that would have people leaving the symposium in a great space. A space that was open and inviting to everyone; to the strangers on the street.
Tuesday, July 17
Workgroup Notes: ATD and Immigrant Communities
Written by Annemarie Korp
Notes on the Open Space workgroup that dealt with how to incorporate the various communities into the conversation about Social Justice in the symposium. This was two groups that were incorporated into one. One of them originally was to discuss how to bring the ATD to immigrant communities.
There were 7 people attending and we mostly discussed the different communities that would benefit from the sypmposium.
Rocio spoke to the need of the Spanish Symposium to include social issues relevant to Latin communities, those that Hispanics could relate to.
A suggestion was made to write a letter to the Pachamama Board to include Rocio as a member, considering she is one of the few “condor” like facilitator and originally from Ecuador.
One of the members spoke about her involvement with Gospel Churches and their need for hope.
A general consensus was reached that the symposium needs to awaken hope in the hopeless.
Another facilitator alluded to the necessity to have the translated Spanish Symposium be a pilot for taking the symposium to other non-Caucasian communities, tailoring the symposium to each community with facts and stories that relate to their particular backgrounds.
Notes on the Open Space workgroup that dealt with how to incorporate the various communities into the conversation about Social Justice in the symposium. This was two groups that were incorporated into one. One of them originally was to discuss how to bring the ATD to immigrant communities.
There were 7 people attending and we mostly discussed the different communities that would benefit from the sypmposium.
Rocio spoke to the need of the Spanish Symposium to include social issues relevant to Latin communities, those that Hispanics could relate to.
A suggestion was made to write a letter to the Pachamama Board to include Rocio as a member, considering she is one of the few “condor” like facilitator and originally from Ecuador.
One of the members spoke about her involvement with Gospel Churches and their need for hope.
A general consensus was reached that the symposium needs to awaken hope in the hopeless.
Another facilitator alluded to the necessity to have the translated Spanish Symposium be a pilot for taking the symposium to other non-Caucasian communities, tailoring the symposium to each community with facts and stories that relate to their particular backgrounds.
Monday, July 16
Workgroup Notes: Community Building
Written by James Dickson
DISCUSSION
How do we inspire, create, and build ongoing sustainable communities with the participants after the Symposium?
SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS
Creating ongoing communities after the Symposium requires that before, during, and after the Symposium we hold the INTENTION that our purpose IS TO CREATE COMMUNITY.
FINAL DECISIONS
A team has taken the responsibility to be the focal point on this specific topic. We intend to "enhance the structure and enrich the options available in the POST SYMPOSIUM FOLLOW-UP. Specifically, community building." This team is Dave Buck, Jim Cole, Steve Katz, and James Dickson.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
1. Prepare an upstream / downstream beforehand present during Symposium
2. Call to Action and Advocacy, and participation
3. What does it look like (the world of the future)? Then work backwards.
4. In the introduction, when appropriate, ask the participants "what are your expectations for our time together?" Find ways of getting to know the level of involvement that the participants might be willing to commit to.
5. We need a structure to keep people awake, and engaged in community.
6. A dinner get together, within 10 days, for follow-up
7. Getting into, and staying inaction.
8. Give more time in the symposium for participants to express their involvement in existing communities, and what they are doing as individuals.
9. Facilitators of Symposiums provide the leadership to create salons, local groups in communities
10. Facilitators can inspire by coming to the Symposium prepared with success stories of local communities that participants may want to hear about and perhaps pursue.
11. Expand the role of the facilitator (team) to make a continuing conversation with local organization, and encourage participants to integrate symposium ideals in their own communities.
12. Facilitators can offer the creation of local groups
13. Invite local organizations (those in alignment with the values of the Symposium) to meet participants. Have these not-for-profits come prepared to recruit participants. Let these not-for-profits know that we are not "competing" with them.
14. Wine and Cheese Reception, especially nice to add live music before, during, after.
15. Forming Book Groups (participants have pre-read the book, and come to discuss it), Book Study (participants come and read the book together)
16. Set the objective of the Symposium is to create lasting communities of action and advocacy and participation.
17. When the Symposium is successful, people are able to immediately move into action (provide them "next steps", Better Shopping Guide", etc.)
18. Set the intention of the Symposium to get more action and advocacy (not just more Facilitators)
19. Focus Symposium more on whats working and the available local opportunities
20. Encourage a "challengeday.org" type approach : Let's reduce our carbon foot-print to 10-acres, and let them know that we can follow-up and support you
21. At the "end of the day" our intention is to get our participants into action. Our goal becomes how do we replicate and "seed" groups.
22. First step: Awakening, Second step: continuing synergy of learning, education
23. Symposium is planting a "seed" in each community every time it is held. We need to "water" the seed. As these seeds grow, these local communities will encourage additional Symposiums.
24. Make definite follow-up dates available at the Symposium, so that participants can sign-up, and for follow-up.
25. Encourage "weekend retreats" with Facilitators + participants + non-profits to be in liason together to ensure
26. We come to the Symposium with the intention of planting the seed.
27. We come to the Symposium with the intention of "referring" participants to local groups
28. Make sure all local groups, communities are in wiserearth.org
29. Give participants a way to influence their existing spheres of influence.
DISCUSSION
How do we inspire, create, and build ongoing sustainable communities with the participants after the Symposium?
SUMMARY CONCLUSIONS
Creating ongoing communities after the Symposium requires that before, during, and after the Symposium we hold the INTENTION that our purpose IS TO CREATE COMMUNITY.
FINAL DECISIONS
A team has taken the responsibility to be the focal point on this specific topic. We intend to "enhance the structure and enrich the options available in the POST SYMPOSIUM FOLLOW-UP. Specifically, community building." This team is Dave Buck, Jim Cole, Steve Katz, and James Dickson.
GENERAL DISCUSSION
1. Prepare an upstream / downstream beforehand present during Symposium
2. Call to Action and Advocacy, and participation
3. What does it look like (the world of the future)? Then work backwards.
4. In the introduction, when appropriate, ask the participants "what are your expectations for our time together?" Find ways of getting to know the level of involvement that the participants might be willing to commit to.
5. We need a structure to keep people awake, and engaged in community.
6. A dinner get together, within 10 days, for follow-up
7. Getting into, and staying inaction.
8. Give more time in the symposium for participants to express their involvement in existing communities, and what they are doing as individuals.
9. Facilitators of Symposiums provide the leadership to create salons, local groups in communities
10. Facilitators can inspire by coming to the Symposium prepared with success stories of local communities that participants may want to hear about and perhaps pursue.
11. Expand the role of the facilitator (team) to make a continuing conversation with local organization, and encourage participants to integrate symposium ideals in their own communities.
12. Facilitators can offer the creation of local groups
13. Invite local organizations (those in alignment with the values of the Symposium) to meet participants. Have these not-for-profits come prepared to recruit participants. Let these not-for-profits know that we are not "competing" with them.
14. Wine and Cheese Reception, especially nice to add live music before, during, after.
15. Forming Book Groups (participants have pre-read the book, and come to discuss it), Book Study (participants come and read the book together)
16. Set the objective of the Symposium is to create lasting communities of action and advocacy and participation.
17. When the Symposium is successful, people are able to immediately move into action (provide them "next steps", Better Shopping Guide", etc.)
18. Set the intention of the Symposium to get more action and advocacy (not just more Facilitators)
19. Focus Symposium more on whats working and the available local opportunities
20. Encourage a "challengeday.org" type approach : Let's reduce our carbon foot-print to 10-acres, and let them know that we can follow-up and support you
21. At the "end of the day" our intention is to get our participants into action. Our goal becomes how do we replicate and "seed" groups.
22. First step: Awakening, Second step: continuing synergy of learning, education
23. Symposium is planting a "seed" in each community every time it is held. We need to "water" the seed. As these seeds grow, these local communities will encourage additional Symposiums.
24. Make definite follow-up dates available at the Symposium, so that participants can sign-up, and for follow-up.
25. Encourage "weekend retreats" with Facilitators + participants + non-profits to be in liason together to ensure
26. We come to the Symposium with the intention of planting the seed.
27. We come to the Symposium with the intention of "referring" participants to local groups
28. Make sure all local groups, communities are in wiserearth.org
29. Give participants a way to influence their existing spheres of influence.
Thursday, July 12
Workgroup Notes: Audiovisual Symposium
Written by Sarah Martin
I am the person that has the duty to write up the discussions that occurred around the topic of the Facilitator Enhanced Audio Visual (FEAV) Symposium. I was present for about the first half of it, and will be working from the notes of others for the second half. I have been traveling and kept my notes where I could write this up as soon as I was able, so here goes: “NR” means Neal’s comments.
The first cut was a big hit! We loved the animation of the graphs, the expanded visuals in the expert’s videos, the vitality of the whole video experience for us as the audience.
Comments from Neal included:
I am the person that has the duty to write up the discussions that occurred around the topic of the Facilitator Enhanced Audio Visual (FEAV) Symposium. I was present for about the first half of it, and will be working from the notes of others for the second half. I have been traveling and kept my notes where I could write this up as soon as I was able, so here goes: “NR” means Neal’s comments.
The first cut was a big hit! We loved the animation of the graphs, the expanded visuals in the expert’s videos, the vitality of the whole video experience for us as the audience.
Comments from Neal included:
- They intend abundant diversity in the presenters and in the visuals.
- Casting is an important challenge soon to be taken up.
- The FEAV will probably be produced in modules, giving us as facilitators lots of opportunity to tailor the presentation to each Symposium audience and presenters.
- The FEAV will likely be more condensed, facilitating even shorter versions which would be appropriate for some audiences.
- There will still be lots of interaction for the audience, including opening/closing sacred space, unexamined assumptions, declaration cards, local connections and other exercises.
- This will be the first “Attention People of Earth” kind of presentation.
- English subtitles would be helpful as English is a second language for many people around the world.
- Visual Upstream-Downstream exercise could be powerful, NR saw Julia’s cup of coffee recitation as a series of vivid images.
- Discussion of the challenge of presenting III and IV How Did We Get Here and The Universe Story, which are “lecture-y” and abstract. NR saw an idea of having Brian, Drew, Thomas et al presenting the concepts themselves on video.
- “Follow the dollar”, show the route our dollar takes from end user to manufacturer – an upstream/downstream of the money we spend.
- A youth version of the FEAV.
- More Van Jones in the modules.
- YouTube style uploads of graphics, films etc on the ATD site.
Thursday, June 28
Workgroup Notes: ATD/Pachamama Movie
MOVIE Group Notes
from Kay Sandberg (kay@soulofmoney.org or kay@globalfundforhealing.org)
What
Model on "An Inconvenient Truth"; have a new narrator (woman?)
Drama, with compelling story of realistic people that weaves together the three legs of the TPA mission statement
Focus on emotional component of the current story and how it affects our lives, and that of Gaia/Pachamama
Biopic of Life of Lynne and Bill Twist and founding of TPA, and/or weave this story into a sequel to "An Inconvenient Truth" based on symposium content; go deeper into the old and new stories than the Gore film;
Story of how TPA came about and how the message is spreading
Focus on the life of a woman Nobel laureate, emphasizing peace or Jesse Jackson if social justice
Get the symposium into the Los Angeles movie community
Main idea: "If Hollywood gets it"…, i.e., ability for popular movie to reach millions of all ages
How
First, to explore connections and potential collaborations within TPA, such Michael Olmstead (Digital Hollywood), Neal Rogin, and our respective networks
Find a way in to Lucas Films (Dave Ergo and others already working on this; intent to do a symposium within Lucas' Presidio operation)
Work with a film student or independent filmmaker who already gets the message (ex. Desmond Nakano, Utah screenwriting institute
Note the different impact of student production vs. professional level
Approach Jeff Skoll, founder of Participant Productions, which produced An Inconvenient Truth and many blockbusters on social justice and global issues; he also founded the Skoll Foundation, potential partner to Pachamama
Importance of putting out a clear intention
Focus on independent film festivals—Asian American festival (SF), Sundance, Maui, Cannes, New Mexico
With Whom (in addition to above)—focus on stars already on board with environmentalism and/or social justice and/or spiritual fulfillment:
Robert Redford
Michele Pfeiffer
Leonardo DiCaprio—apparently looking to make another film
Stephen Simon and Spiritual Cinema Circle
Next steps
I will write up my vision and approach our current partners;
I have a list of others from the open space group who are interested in future conversations
from Kay Sandberg (kay@soulofmoney.org or kay@globalfundforhealing.org)
What
Model on "An Inconvenient Truth"; have a new narrator (woman?)
Drama, with compelling story of realistic people that weaves together the three legs of the TPA mission statement
Focus on emotional component of the current story and how it affects our lives, and that of Gaia/Pachamama
Biopic of Life of Lynne and Bill Twist and founding of TPA, and/or weave this story into a sequel to "An Inconvenient Truth" based on symposium content; go deeper into the old and new stories than the Gore film;
Story of how TPA came about and how the message is spreading
Focus on the life of a woman Nobel laureate, emphasizing peace or Jesse Jackson if social justice
Get the symposium into the Los Angeles movie community
Main idea: "If Hollywood gets it"…, i.e., ability for popular movie to reach millions of all ages
How
First, to explore connections and potential collaborations within TPA, such Michael Olmstead (Digital Hollywood), Neal Rogin, and our respective networks
Find a way in to Lucas Films (Dave Ergo and others already working on this; intent to do a symposium within Lucas' Presidio operation)
Work with a film student or independent filmmaker who already gets the message (ex. Desmond Nakano, Utah screenwriting institute
Note the different impact of student production vs. professional level
Approach Jeff Skoll, founder of Participant Productions, which produced An Inconvenient Truth and many blockbusters on social justice and global issues; he also founded the Skoll Foundation, potential partner to Pachamama
Importance of putting out a clear intention
Focus on independent film festivals—Asian American festival (SF), Sundance, Maui, Cannes, New Mexico
With Whom (in addition to above)—focus on stars already on board with environmentalism and/or social justice and/or spiritual fulfillment:
Robert Redford
Michele Pfeiffer
Leonardo DiCaprio—apparently looking to make another film
Stephen Simon and Spiritual Cinema Circle
Next steps
I will write up my vision and approach our current partners;
I have a list of others from the open space group who are interested in future conversations
Wednesday, June 27
Paul was with us in spirit
For those moments when you don't have access to the DVD and when you want to be reminded of your importance, click on this. "What you are creating is completely unknown, it is every where, there is no center....this is the first time on earth that a powerful new, non ideological movement has arisen.....Pachamama talking back.......It is up to us to decide who we want to be"
http://www.blessedunrest.com/video.html
Workgroup Notes: ATD and Shamanism
Notes from the Open Source workgroup: Saturday, June 18
Can Shamanism/Condor practices enhance our ability to do the work of the symposium? Can our dreams guide us, and if so, how could we engage with these areas?
Cindy Dixon
Tuck Taylor, Vicki Peck and Cindy Dixon combined topics for a group conversation. Tuck started the conversation by talking about the Achuar practice of rising early each day to examine dreams experienced by individuals as a means for making decisions and planning their lives. Leslie Whiting, who has been to Ecuador, described being with the Achuar as they went through their daily ritual. Arising at 4:00 AM, tribe members would come together and drink a special tea which is part of a daily purification ritual. The community dreams are collected in conversations, and this information is used by tribal elders as they consider group actions.
Noelle Poncelet joined our group early on. She and her husband, Claude, teach shamanism workshops, and have been involved in this subject area for many years, including travels all over the world researching indigenous shamanic practices. Her answer to the general question we’d posed, about whether it would be valuable to our work with the symposium for us to learn and engage these practices, was an emphatic “yes”.
Noelle answered our first question, “What is a shaman?” A shaman uses his/her experience to empower individuals to seek and trust the spiritual guidance available to all of us. Spirit is everywhere. Everything is alive. Shamanism completely honors and values the body as a source of connection. Noelle believes that shamanism can help open the door for us to explore topics relating to our work, including the spirit of social justice.
She talked about the “Miracle Cure” exercise, which is included in the facilitator notes for the symposium. In this meditation, you go to sleep and have a dream in which you find that every problem that we are facing has been solved. Upon waking, when you find that this transformation has taken place, ask yourself what you notice first. This simple visualization can be profoundly impactful.
From the group’s input, it was clear that this connection to spirit can be exercised in numerous ways – Trish Sharpe uses tantric dance, which she demonstrated during the Talent Show that evening, to achieve deep connection and heightened consciousness. Whether shamanism incorporates the use of meditation, plant medicines, drumming or other means depends on the intent of the leader and context of the journey process.
Noelle made a remarkable offer to all of us who are symposium facilitators: She and Claude would provide a 2-3 day workshop, tuition free, to anyone so inclined. Her only request was that she not be involved in any of the organizational details. Susan Burns, who also contributed her experience to the group, is with IONS and we talked about having the workshop take place at the IONS conference center. She believes she would help us make the arrangements and keep the costs low.
As a starting point, Noelle suggested books by Sandra Ingerman, specially mentioning “The Beginner’s Guide to Shamanic Journeying” as an excellent preparation book. http://www.shamanicvisions.com/ingerman_folder/04books.html. Several people in the group know others who conduct explorations of this nature – Julie Earl (juliaearl@mindspring.com), Vinit Allen (vinit7@yahoo.com), and Azlan White (azlanwhite@yahoo.com) have references they could share.
We began a list of folks who are interested in the workshop with Noelle and Claude Poncelet. I will enter these in a database, and anyone else who wants to get on the list can contact me (cindy.dixon@charter.net) and I’ll take care of it. I’ll begin by emailing the people I have on the list to see if we can establish a planning committee for a workshop.
Can Shamanism/Condor practices enhance our ability to do the work of the symposium? Can our dreams guide us, and if so, how could we engage with these areas?
Cindy Dixon
Tuck Taylor, Vicki Peck and Cindy Dixon combined topics for a group conversation. Tuck started the conversation by talking about the Achuar practice of rising early each day to examine dreams experienced by individuals as a means for making decisions and planning their lives. Leslie Whiting, who has been to Ecuador, described being with the Achuar as they went through their daily ritual. Arising at 4:00 AM, tribe members would come together and drink a special tea which is part of a daily purification ritual. The community dreams are collected in conversations, and this information is used by tribal elders as they consider group actions.
Noelle Poncelet joined our group early on. She and her husband, Claude, teach shamanism workshops, and have been involved in this subject area for many years, including travels all over the world researching indigenous shamanic practices. Her answer to the general question we’d posed, about whether it would be valuable to our work with the symposium for us to learn and engage these practices, was an emphatic “yes”.
Noelle answered our first question, “What is a shaman?” A shaman uses his/her experience to empower individuals to seek and trust the spiritual guidance available to all of us. Spirit is everywhere. Everything is alive. Shamanism completely honors and values the body as a source of connection. Noelle believes that shamanism can help open the door for us to explore topics relating to our work, including the spirit of social justice.
She talked about the “Miracle Cure” exercise, which is included in the facilitator notes for the symposium. In this meditation, you go to sleep and have a dream in which you find that every problem that we are facing has been solved. Upon waking, when you find that this transformation has taken place, ask yourself what you notice first. This simple visualization can be profoundly impactful.
From the group’s input, it was clear that this connection to spirit can be exercised in numerous ways – Trish Sharpe uses tantric dance, which she demonstrated during the Talent Show that evening, to achieve deep connection and heightened consciousness. Whether shamanism incorporates the use of meditation, plant medicines, drumming or other means depends on the intent of the leader and context of the journey process.
Noelle made a remarkable offer to all of us who are symposium facilitators: She and Claude would provide a 2-3 day workshop, tuition free, to anyone so inclined. Her only request was that she not be involved in any of the organizational details. Susan Burns, who also contributed her experience to the group, is with IONS and we talked about having the workshop take place at the IONS conference center. She believes she would help us make the arrangements and keep the costs low.
As a starting point, Noelle suggested books by Sandra Ingerman, specially mentioning “The Beginner’s Guide to Shamanic Journeying” as an excellent preparation book. http://www.shamanicvisions.com/ingerman_folder/04books.html. Several people in the group know others who conduct explorations of this nature – Julie Earl (juliaearl@mindspring.com), Vinit Allen (vinit7@yahoo.com), and Azlan White (azlanwhite@yahoo.com) have references they could share.
We began a list of folks who are interested in the workshop with Noelle and Claude Poncelet. I will enter these in a database, and anyone else who wants to get on the list can contact me (cindy.dixon@charter.net) and I’ll take care of it. I’ll begin by emailing the people I have on the list to see if we can establish a planning committee for a workshop.
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