Convening Circle: 10-17 Connecting for Compassionate Action

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Comment by Jon Ramer on September 16, 2009 at 10:34pm

Thanks to everyone! It was a great meeting -- painful at times but very important. We need to get it right and have it clear as to who are inviting and what we are intending the outcomes be. I have started a Group dedicated to the organizing and production of the event. Please sign up there so we can keep the conversation moving.

Comment by Anil on September 16, 2009 at 7:38pm

I'm excited about this event and sorry I was unable to attend this evening--did you come up with a "outreach strategy" around our calling question? Just curious...

Comment by Jon Ramer on September 16, 2009 at 2:19pm

We are getting ready to leave... see you soon!!

Comment by PamKM on September 12, 2009 at 5:31pm

Current Calling Question: "How shall we connect to accelerate compassionate action in ourselves, our region, and the world?"

Is it accurate to say that we "accelerate compassionate action in ourselves?" This sounds funny to me.

Btw, I'm find with whatever the group wants to do. I just wanted to surface some of the known issues.

Comment by PamKM on September 12, 2009 at 5:28pm

Quick correction: The Dalai Lama Center agreed to attend OS when concepts #3 and #4 at the bottom of the following message were in the calling question. However, these concepts are not in the current version of the question which could be a problem. Imho, I think we might consider adding "network" again because it's groundbreaking. For example, try answering the current version of the calling question yourself and see if you think it will produce an interesting outcome?

Comment by PamKM on September 12, 2009 at 5:19pm

Does this convening circle think the Open Space calling question should meet the following criteria?

1. Get to the heart of what we need to know
2. Short, easy to remember, grammatically correct
3. Groundbreaking
4. Compelling to possible partners in the U.S. and Canada

Example: At Sleeping Lady earlier this summer, the following calling question was so fundamentally important (for me) that it felt almost hypnotic: "What is Leadership in a Self-Organizing World?"

What are the key concepts that our calling question should include?

1. Connecting people
2. Local, regional, global
3. Compassionate Action

What's missing?
1. Personal change - This concept is in the CAN banner and we know it's a fundamental concept for creating positive change.
2. Youth - From Seeds of Compassion we know kids are super important to the Dalai Lama. CAN will need to narrow scope at some point. Should the calling question attract people who are interested in kids now rather than wait to convene a group at OS?
3. Scaling/growing from the local to global level will be difficult to do gracefully. (The "Growth" concept could be posed during the event if we include the 3 geographic levels in the calling question)
4. Network - This is a Compassionate Action "Network" and networks are fundamental to the idea of connecting for compassionate action. Networks are a groundbreaking concept that will attract a broader audience. It might help narrow the scope too.

The Dalai Lama Center agreed to attend OS when the original calling question included #2 and #3. However, these concepts are not in the current calling question which concerns me.

Feel free to comment, propose your own criteria, and/or calling question. I'm sorry this process is taking so long, but the result will be worth it. Thanks for your patience!

Comment by Joel Levey on September 11, 2009 at 10:19pm

Friends, I look forward to helping in the convening and.... I just learned that a KBCS radio interview I'd agreed to do with Rev. Cheen has been re-scheduled for the 16th (from a later date) and it is at exactly the same time. I'll follow the notes here and follow-up and do my best to contribute to the success of this event. Blessings to all!

Comment by Anil on September 11, 2009 at 9:31pm

Sign me up!

Comment by anne morgan stadler on September 11, 2009 at 5:37pm

Thank you Jon! My proposal (on behalf of the Production Team) is that our Sept. 16th agenda include:

1. Collective sensing into the higher purpose of the Oct. 17th OS.
2. Reviewing the Invitation and answering questions about event. (Copy is posted, and copies will be available at the meeting.)
3. Conversation about convener responsibilities and expectations regarding help on inviting people, volunteering, etc.
4. Event needs, work plan and schedule leading up to the event. (The Production Team will post an Event needs, Work plan and Schedule here, before the meeting, with copies at the meeting.)

The OS Production Team includes me, Mark Jones, Candi Foon, Jon and Tova, Thomas Arthur, and Steven Wright. I am also including Pam Kilborne-Miller as part of that team since she is honchoing the Communications strategy and the revamp of the CAN website which will be completed before October 17th. (Hope that's okay with you, Pam!)

I look forward to seeing all of you on Wednesday. Thanks for your enthusiasm and all you are doing to bring compassion to life!