Last week was learning-filled for me at the Art of Hosting Boston: Getting Our Important Work Done Together. Teresa Posakony and I were invited to join an inspired local team — Sibling duo, Deb and Jon Gilburg, Carla Kimball, Sky Freyss-Cole, Naava Frank, and Ginny Wiley.
I loved the strength and experience of this team. Being with people that can dive deeply into the science and simplicity beneath the magic of shared, collective space. I loved the experience of inviting a format that helps bring out the best of people in the room. The way that the “we” feeds into an expanded sense of individuals. I loved the friendship. I loved the start of a local Community of Practice.
A few harvest pieces below:
–Closing Poems, Pictures, Objects, and Clay
–Photo Collection (including individual shots on the poems)
–Photo Collection from Madeline Snow (placed into PPT document)
–Audio Reflections on Bridging Language (from the group – 12 minutes)
This visual illustration from Sky.
This last piece took place on the last day. It included suggestions for translatable definitions of the Art of Hosting, as well as some helpful and playful discussion.
Boston Art of Hosting
Group Reflection on Bridging Language
(Hosted by Amy, Leith, Karl, Peggy, Lee…)
January 28, 2011
What is the hosting?
– Innovative ways of collecting data and ideas.
– A way to help people deal with change; a set of tools for dealing with change.
– Creating a social architecture to have strategic conversations in order to create innovation and change.
– One of the best practices for convenors who pride themselves in what they do.
– A way to share, hold, and deal with complex challenges so that a larger group of people are invested in solving problems together.
– The how of bringing communities together, including in large forums.
– Four words: Ways to help groups. “Well, you know how people spend a lot a lot of time in group meetings and have a hard time getting things done. I help with that. Which means that groups will be able to _____.”
– Imagine if you went to a meeting and everyone was engaged and from that everyone was involved. I can help with that.
– It isn’t about changing the language. It is about framing that allows the conversation to begin.
