The World Cafe Community

World Cafe for Setting Strategic Objectives, Action Planning

2017-06-08T19:25:09.421Z

I am working with a large newly formed work group (50 plus) with goals to build collaboration, identify values/purpose/vision and identify near and short term strategic directions. I have used WC for some of these conversations and am now looking for a simple, direct and rapid process to narrow in on opportunities to support a codified vision.

Does anyone have experience using WC for a SWOT/SOAR and for action planning with large groups? Any help is appreciated! Thanks in advance!

Mary

DEEP DIVE - THE CIRCLE WAY

2017-03-02T13:12:47.584Z

WeDialogue & Beehive Productions are offering 4 week online course DEEP DIVE -THE CIRCLE WAY. The bonus is Christina Baldwin, creator of Circle Way will be on one of the calls.

Groups of 3 get a 50% discount ($350 per/person becomes $175 per)

I want to partner with at least 2vothers so we get the discount and the Learning.

Email me if intersted [email protected].

Do you know someone who is interested?

WWW.wedialgue.com/event/deep-dive-the-circle-way.

Thank you in advance.

Tony Pfeiffer, The Joy of Learning Guy

This article I wrote on small group work may interest some people here

2017-01-14T12:02:00.398Z

This was published before I started using the World Cafe methodology, so there is no mention of it. But you may still find the article interesting if you use small groups in facilitation and training.

Best Wishes

Tony Buon

Cambridge, UK

Community Cafes at World Cafe

2016-11-03T14:46:20.576Z

Three Community Cafes with World Cafe community members around the globe were hosted in September.The Cafes were supported by the World Cafe Community Foundation's Stewardship Council and hosted by the following team: Martin Castro, Cecilia Soriano, Amy Lenzo, Michaela Sieh, Ty Tallcok, and Asma Batool

Each of the three Cafes was a rich experience - small, intimate groups in heart-full conversation - and we learned a lot together.

There were 20-25 people in the first and last and only 3 of us in the middle one, but that conversation was no less rich or focused.

The context for these Community Cafes was simple -
The online community space that we created 20 years ago that served the needs we had then very well is not necessarily able to support the needs of today in the same way.

The intent of these Cafes was to make our community spaces reflect what we truly want from our interactions as an international community of practice.

Here is the “Harvest Report” we created to share the essence of what we learned and what is needed/wanted, along with a graphic recording from the September 14th Cafe by Nancy White.

Harvest Report.pdf

THE WORLD CAFE - Hellas Project / 2nd meeting, October 18

2016-10-30T16:20:59.469Z

THE WORLD CAFE – Hellas Project

2^nd meeting of the translational team / Oct. 18, 2016

On Tuesday, October 18, 2016 took place the 2nd meeting of the project team members for the translation of the book "THE WORLD CAFÉ: Shaping our Futures Through Conversations That Matter". During the meeting, inter alia, we discussed with the World Café method the needs that comes to cover the translation of the book, and the reasons that may lead to failure of the translation project. Here are the questions, and the results of the "harvest":

Why is it necessary to translate the TWC book, since it is available for free the quick reference guide “CAFÉ to GO”?

The reference guide is useful for a first familiarization with TWC methodology. Through the book we can deepen.
The book can be a reference point for the dissemination of the method.
The World Café can be more easily teached by the book.
Through the book the World Café can be more easily accepted.
The book can be a tool for the group itself.
The book will provide a qualitative basis for the subsequent use of the method.

What would be the reasons that may lead to the failure of our translation work?

Lack of adaptation to the Greek reality (lack of “localization”).
The time pressure in combination with unrealistic deadlines.
The lack of consistency in respect to the deadlines.
The absence in the monthly meetings.
Lack of money for the revision and copy editing of the final greek texts by a professional translator.
Lack of normal text flow in the greek language.
Lack of common terminology and common text style.

THE WORLD CAFE - Hellas Project

2016-10-29T09:48:19.516Z

THE WORLD CAFE – Hellas Project

1^st meeting of the translational team / Sept. 21, 2016

On Wednesday, September 21 took place the first meeting among people interested in joining the team for the greek translation of the book "THE WORLD CAFÉ: Shaping our Futures Through Conversations That Matter". During the World Café conversation we explored the following two questions as part of our “team building” procedure. Here are the results of the process:

What are the elements that motivate someone to participate in a team project?

Commom challenges and ideals
The perspective after…
The project it self
The self-improvement and the learning
To get related with other people
Incentives, benefits and needs

What would be the reasons for some to leave?

Lack of belief to the project
Lack of acceptance by the others
Lack of practical result
Lack of respect to the rules
Lack of joy
Lack of interest
When the reasons for which the team was established cease to be valid

Why Community Radio Matters in Bangladesh

2016-10-15T15:55:33.913Z

Bangladesh NGOs Network for Radio and Communication (BNNRC ) is in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council (ECOSOC) and accredited with World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS) of the United Nations.

BNNRC is the apex body of the community media sector to

promote community media to the

Government, Industry, Regulatory Bodies, Media and Development Partners in Bangladesh. BNNRC actively works to improve recognition of the community electronic media sector [Community Radio, Community TV, Community Film] & its work in and involvement with the communities it seeks to serve from 2000. www.bnnrc.net

Palo Alto Sustainability and Climate Action Summit

2016-09-25T02:37:31.552Z

This story was sent in by Tirza Hollenhorst.

Hosts:
Tirza Hollenhorst - Facilitator
Evonne Heyning - Graphic Recorder
Gil Friend - City of Palo Alto Sustainability Officer

Hosting Org/Sponsor:
City of Palo Alto

Location:
Palo Alto

This World Café was for:
Citizens and elected officials.

Purpose:
* To engage the citizens in the Sustainability and Climate Action plan.
* To uncover additional resources and possibilities.
* To generate interest and action.

Numbers Attending:
340

Questions Used:
The room was divided into four different areas: water, transportation, energy and natural resources

What would it mean to me if Palo Alto was a leader in (water, transportation, energy, or natural environment)?

What obstacles might we face and how can we overcome them?

If our success was completely guaranteed, what bold steps might we choose?

Impact:
The City of Palo Alto Sustainability and Climate Action Summit was held to introduce the citizens of Palo Alto to the city’s Draft Sustainability and Climate Action Plan. The half day event was attended by well over 300 people including local citizens and government officials from Palo Alto and neighboring cities.

After an in depth review of the plan by city Sustainability Officer, Gil Friend, Tirza Hollenhorst facilitated a two-hour World Cafe. The cafe was designed to give citizens the opportunity to discuss the plans and bring forth additional solutions. The Cafe was lively and many well thought out proposals where brought forth. Attendees were overwhelmingly positive about the day and the level of engagement from the city.

People felt that the day was incredibly well organized and the cafe made a real difference.

Key Themes and Findings
Microgrids and electricity generation at the local level
Distributed power, water, alternative currencies to manage flow
Water catchment, greywater systems for gardens and native flora/fauna
Wetlands, watersheds and wildlife care includes preservation of green spaces
Educational keys to engaging participation and efficient time lines to change
More biking, less cars - new approaches to creating a walkable city
Getting over the fear of change by working together on culture shift
Use games, challenges, public play as opportunities to develop solutions
Explore local energy storage and smarter distribution in neighborhoods

Additional Comments
I have great photos but they are too big for this form

Conscious Elders and Odd Fellows

2016-09-25T02:33:42.418Z

This story was sent in by World Café pioneer and graphic wizard extraordinaire Nancy Margulies.

Hosts:
Nancy Margulies and the leadership team of a national organization, The Conscious Elders Network

Hosting Org/Sponsor:
The Conscious Elders Network

Location:
Odd Fellows Hall in Half Moon Bay, California

This World Café was for:
CEN wanted to let people know about their organization and enable participants to get to know one another better, share their interests in contributing to a better world, and find ways to support one another.

Purpose:
CEN wanted to let people know about their organization and encourage them to participate in specific action groups. The goal was also to enable participants to get to know one another better, share their interests in contributing to a better world, and find ways to support one another.

Numbers Attending:
60

Questions Used:
This was not a typical World Cafe. However, there were questions addressed such as: Where is the future you want emerging now? (What signs of that future give you hope).

What energizes you? Or what do you feel most passionate about?

What would you like to do to be not retired, but re-fired, enthused to take action for inner growth or outer action in the world?

Impact:
We set up long tables and had paper and art materials on all of the tables. People began by drawing a circle the size of a dessert plate. They then put feet or a stand under the circle. Then everyone stood up and moved one place to the right.

They were now sitting in front of a crystal ball that holds an image or words that indicate what future is emerging - a future they want. They then drew or wrote words to reflect this future and discussed it with the person directly across from them. This moving and talking in groups of 2,3 and 4 continued with more drawing, more conversing. Later people met in smaller groups based upon their interest in joining a specific action group.

Additional Comments:
The goal of this event was also to have fun -- people enjoyed the art aspect and there was a lot of lively conversation. We didn't do a harvest, but it could easily have been incorporated.

We also showed a 12 minute TED talk half way through. This talk explained how small actions of people who "walk out" of the major institutions and begin small local actions eventually connect and form a viable alternative. Organic food movement is one such example. The talk by Deborah Freize, is based on her book with Meg Wheatley.

Question - World Cafe and Climate Change?

2016-09-25T02:27:49.186Z

This question was sent in by Leslie Davenport:

Has anyone used the World Cafe following climate change induced natural disasters, or as a forum to look at transformational ways to address the escalation of climate events?

I am writing a book on emotional resiliency in the era of climate change. The book has three components: the psychology of climate change denial, identifying and shifting the underlying collective beliefs that reinforce the dysfunctional system feeding climate change, and the most effective individual and community approaches to deal with climate change losses. The hope is to contribute to transforming the system while supporting existing needs.

I am wanting to hear from people who have been touched directly by climate events such as flood, fire, tornadoes, extreme heat, contamination of water supplies, etc. I want to include whatever forms of emotional and practical support was useful, learn what was lacking, and any hear of surprises in rebuilding your life and community. I could image the World Cafe being an important venue with this.

I would also love to hear from anyone working in this way with World Cafe.

The best way to respond is to send an email to [email protected]" target="_blank">[email protected], with "Climate Interview" in the subject line. Feel free to forward this to anyone you know who may be interested.