| Purpose/ outcomes |
To evolve a common ground future for an organization or community and develop self-managed plans to move toward it. |
| Number of participants |
- 64 people optimum
- 50 - 70 people typical
- Can use parallel and sequential conferences to increase numbers
|
| Type of Participants |
Broad cross-section of stakeholders
- Organizations: multi-level, multi-functional
- Communities: all sectors sponsors consider relevant
|
| Typical Duration |
Preparation: 3 - 6 months
Event: 2 ˝ days (18 hours over 2 nights (an afternoon, day, and morning))
Total Transition: Variable
|
| Brief Example |
Hopkinton, MA, a town of 9000, more than doubled in size between 1977 and 1992. A referendum left education level-funded. "Hopkinton 2002 AD" involved citizens, commissioners, police, fire, highway, town department heads, business leaders, teachers, students, school administrators. Their commitments included preserving the town's rural character and improving schools. Residents raised the school budget 12%. Within a year, a local firm donated $350,000 in computers and training, and pledged $300,000 more for the next 2 years. |
| When to Use |
- A shared vision is desired· An action plan is needed
- Other efforts have stalled
- New leadership is taking over
- A key transition is at hand (e.g., changing markets, technology, etc.)
- Opposing parties need to meet and have no good forum
- Time is growing short
|
| When Not to Use |
- Leadership is reluctant
- Conditions for success not met
- Nobody but you wants it
- It's a force fit to a planned meeting
- The agenda is preconceived· People have no planning time
- Everybody but you wants it - and it's your decision
|
| Impact on cultural assumptions |
- Discover and use common agendas and shared ideals
- Experience the power of voluntary commitments made on common ground
- Experience shared leadership and self-management
- Experience the "whole elephant" before acting on any part of it
- Learn to accept polarities and differences
|
| Creator(s) |
Marvin Weisbord & Sandra Janoff |
| Creation Date |
1982 |
| Historical Context Theory |
- Commitment to democratic ideals
- Lippitt and Schindler-Rainman's community conferences taught us about whole system in the room and future focus
- Trist and Emery's Search Conference work taught us importance of thinking globally before acting locally and people managing their planning.
- Lewin's "action research" tradition
|
