An Evocative Name for a Cafe/Conversation

Replies to This Conversation

Permalink Reply by John Inman on August 25, 2011 at 1:44pm

Ashley, wonderful initiative. I wish I were there to join you.

 

The seeds of social transformation come with the emerging generation. It is not about how to manage youngers or what to do with them or how to include them. It is about a profound change in mindset to be fully inclusive. It means not having to think about who to invite to the table, obviously young and old alike. It is not even a question. This is a shift in mindset.

The topic of my dissertation is social change through multi-generational dialogue. Not a bad label for the initiative.

A three question series for a Cafe. Question one might be: What would our conversation sound like if the health and welfare of the whole community was the most important objective? Question two: Who would be included in the conversation and why? Question three: What is the story that we as a community want to live into?

 

Just some more ideas to get you started. I wish you success.

 

John

Permalink Reply by Ria Baeck on August 26, 2011 at 9:10am

Something about innovation can attract many generations. and could guide also the questions - and is a word that attracts business people.

Permalink Reply by Dan Joyner on August 27, 2011 at 1:42pm

Hi Ashley,

A good second round question might be something like; “What doubts, reservations or withholdings do you have with regards to inventing?” I agree with the idea of innovation...

Permalink Reply by Deborah Goldblatt on September 28, 2011 at 8:30am

Ashley,

I'd curious to hear about how your multi-gen forum went, what questions you ended up with, and what you called it.

Were you able to surface some of your ideas outlined above?

 

warmly,

Deborah

 

Permalink Reply by Ashley Cooper on October 7, 2011 at 1:19pm

John, Ria, Dan and Deborah,

 

Thank you all so much for your suggestions. The forum did not end up happening as originally planned. However, it's now slated for December 1st and is looking like we will have more room to create the environment and context of the experience.

I agree with the thoughts here, changing the mindset and making the question of how and inclusion obsolete as the answer is a given; focusing on innovation;  social change through multi-gen dialogue and collaboration; and attending to the doubts, reservations and things that hold us back from innovation and invention. 

 

Thanks again... stay tuned!

Permalink Reply by Amanda Fenton on December 17, 2011 at 10:44pm

Greetings Ashley! Curious if the forum happened in December and what worked well (design, questions etc)? I'm collaborating on a day-long event on the topic of youth unemployment and the evolving workforce/workplace and what possibilities we can create through intergenerational dialogue; there are some great parallels to these forums!

Permalink Reply by Ashley Cooper on December 23, 2011 at 9:43am

Hi Amanda,

Unfortunately this forum did not end up happening. But YES!!! to what you are working on.

I'm imagining this is a given, but just in case, is your design team intergenerational?

Best wishes and do keep us updated as to what unfolds.

Thanks,

Ashley

Permalink Reply by Amanda Fenton on December 30, 2011 at 5:54pm

Great question - we are lighter on boomers however however both the financial sponsors and the board of directors of the one who "crossed the threshold of longing" as Chris describes have boomer representation. So their voice is included in the planning and design team.

A question for you (and others); I'm curious about the terms "multigenerational" and "intergenerational". Any suggestions on when it is more appropriate to use one instead of the other?

And darn about your forum. Will it re-emerge down the road? 

Chat soon!

Amanda