Guide to Art of Hosting

Guide to Art of Hosting

From the Groundwork: Practitioners Guide to Preparing the Field for Conversations that Matter Created by: Katie Boone, Sowelu Institute$ in partnership with Meadowlark Institute & Bush Foundation$

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Content created in collaboration with: Rowan Simonsen, James Ede, and numerous friends and colleagues from the regional and global Art of Hosting community 1 of 30

The How and Why of this Guide to Art of Hosting… $

Bush Foundation invests in great ideas and the people who power them, funding initiatives in Minnesota, North Dakota, South Dakota and 23 Native Nations. The foundation has played an integral role in fostering leadership development by engaging leaders throughout the region using the principles and practices found in the Art of Hosting. "

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A c o nv ersa beg t io n ins befo lon g re i t st and arts con , t in u lon es g a fter it end s.

Numerous three day gatherings were held throughout the region, to help grow and support a community of people leading change in their communities, one conversation - one engagement at a time.

Throughout the past few years of doing this work, the region has brought over 1,000 people through a three day Art of Hosting experience. This guide is intended to share the learning of what we have seen here and to provide a resource to those interested in helping to grow this regional community of practice."

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When we look at creating a meaningful engagement process, there is far more to it than meets the eye. This is especially true when we are working with larger groups of people and more strategic conversations. To create the best conditions for a meaningful and powerful conversation a strong container or 'fertile field' is needed, and it is the preparation of this field that we're focusing on with this guidebook. "

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The structure of this guide is based on The 8 Breaths of Design Architecture, a model which outlines the various elements or stages present in a successful meeting, strategic conversation or engagement. This document builds on the original work that Monica Nissen and Simone Tiesinga-Poutnik began with creating the 8 Breaths of Design Architecture model. "

We hope that you find this resource useful in the work you do. We see this as a seed that will help continue to grow and nurture not only the regional community of practice, but the larger global community of practice found within the Art of Hosting community.

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Table of Contents $ 1.

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2.

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3.

The Question?

Disturbance of Possibility!

The Call

Caller, Calling Team, Commitment!

Clarify Core " Team & Purpose

4.

Invite

Stakeholders, Design, Space "

5.

Meet

Host, " Participants, Emergence

6.

Harvest

Sense and Meaning Making "

7.

Act

Seeds Carried Forward "

8.

Reflect

Learning from Reflecting on Experience

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9.

Results!

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Its all about Relationship

10. The 8th Breath

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Wholeness of Practice!

11. Logistics & Planning Tips

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Timeline, Supplies, Set-Up

12. Resources for More

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THE QUESTION? 4 of 30

Disturbance of Possibility" “Be patient toward all that is unresolved in your heart.

Try to love the questions themselves.

Do not now seek the answers, which cannot be given because you would not be able to live them.

And the point is to live everything.

Live the questions now.

Perhaps you will then gradually without noticing it, Live along some distant day into the answers.” ~Rainer Maria Rilke

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“If there is no struggle there is no progress. Those who profess to fair freedom and yet deprecate agitation, are men who want crops without plowing up the ground, they want rain without thunder and lightening. They want the ocean without the awful roar of it’s many waters. This struggle may be a moral one, or it may be a physical one, and it may be both moral and physical, but it must be a struggle. Power concedes nothing without a demand. It never did and it never will.” ~Frederick Douglass

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“Agitation is the part of our intellectual life where vitality results; there ideas are born, breed and bring forth.” ~George E. Woodberry

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When we explore what exactly the genesis is for a good engagement process, it is the caller who sparks the process. $

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This is where the birth of the caller happens - the caller being someone who deeply holds a question, problem or challenge. Whether they are inside or outside of an organization or community, they have a strong sense of need that is driven by deep curiosity to questions of what other possibilities there could be. $

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Callers tend to be people who have what Walter Brueggemann would call a prophetic imagination, meaning that they are “people who work to reframe what is at stake in chaotic times.” They have a voice in the conversations that address our changing lives and the deepest meaning of hope in changing the world.

They see the world that is and are driven by questions around what it is that the world that could be.$

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The caller can come from anywhere - within an organization or within a community. Sometimes there are several callers. The caller(s) are the ones who are experiencing a disturbance, who are sitting with the question(s), and who invite the team to join them. $

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“It doesn’t interest me what you do for a living.

I want to know what you ache for and if you dare to dream of meeting your heart’s longing.” ~ Excerpt from“The Invitation” by Oriah Mountain Dreamer 5 of 30

THE CALL

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Caller, Calling Team, Commitment"

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“The world is not finished. It is always in the process of becoming.” ~Paulo Freire"

This is when the issue goes through the process of being named - helping to surface the core question(s).

The caller(s) invite the host(s) to help them, this helps form the calling team. $

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The caller is reaching into a disturbance and making it explicit for a group to engage with and work on it, each with their roles. It is an act of courage, and it might provoke some reactions from those attached to the importance of being the caller or being invited into the team. Make explicit the rules/guidelines on which your actions are based and invite others to hold them with you. $

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Together, the team settles into the center of the disturbance - collectively and slowly moving towards clarity. Focusing the chaos of holding the collective uncertainty and fear - and stepping into identifying what is really at stake. $

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What if some of us worked together to surface the real question and possibility that matters to the community?!

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When the caller has committed to call the process, we can go to the next phase/breath: CLARIFY. $

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“To pay attention, this is our endless and proper work.” ~Mary Oliver

The Art of the Authentic Call

by Phil Cass

Starts with a disturbance deep inside that is noticed At first its nature may not be clear but sometimes it is Clarity often comes through courage to dialogue with mates This disturbance feels like mine and ours This disturbance feels like it is immediate and forever To move on this disturbance seems like it could be good for me and for us Is it courage or I can’t help it that gives voice to this disturbance Evaluating the resonance to determine the level of energy present Connecting with mates to discover the purpose of a call to action Connecting with mates to discover a wise action that could be taken Once mates are gathered the caller lets go to let come but not completely Call and purpose are now held and interpreted by a team and also reside and is interpreted within each of us The disturbance may be altered or the same but is always with the first caller Through the gathering of mates a bold move is conceived, a strategy born An authentic invitation is made that embodies the disturbance that connects with the heart that must be noticed by others who carry the disturbance deep inside The strategy toward action begins usually with early influencers, creating the wave, creating the momentum of energy A gathering happens, an action is taken, learning takes place energy, purpose, connection and then next steps - together.

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CLARIFY 8 of 30

Core Team and Purpose" Roles within the Core Team:

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The Caller: The one who has identified the need and asked for the hosts to help.

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The Logistics Person: Tends to the details of materials, registrations, communications, and all of the administrative requirements to make the gathering successful.

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The Strategic Perspective: The people who understand the need for the initiative and who are connected to the power and resources to make it happen, supporting the best chance of success.

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The Process Host: Advises on the design of conversations, introduces the processes, their purpose and explains how people can participate. Space holder once the conversation has started.

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The Harvester: Captures key insights of what the group is engaging with, using different tools in order to make the learning visible, useable, and meaningful.

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Space and Beauty:

Looks after both the physical and aesthetic aspects of the space and holds the objective of creating hospital conditions for working together. Understands the energetic components of holding space. Thinks through how the design will flow, how the experience will look and feel for participants and the venue that your in for the gathering.

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Who are the best people to be hosting now in service to the work that must be done?"

Creating the ground: The callers and hosts work to create collective clarity around the need, purpose and the first articulation of principles. $

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Organizing events and trainings is most certainly an art form. It involves sharing responsibility between those involved for ensuring that different functions and tasks are carried in such a way that each member of the team can feel valued, supported and able to contribute their best during the process.$

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It is also important to understand that a team is made up of anyone who fulfills a role without which the training could not take place. Those responsible for the designing and hosting the gathering, for logistics (venue, catering, accommodation etc), the invitation and registration process (ensuring that participants feel welcomed and well held prior to showing up), the finances, the harvest and so on.$

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The role of the Core Team is to keep the intention of the call and the overall purpose throughout the process. It's important to connect as a team before you begin to design or build content for your gathering. Building trust on the team is like building a new muscle - be sure to host the team throughout the process and remember to go slow to go fast.$

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“Collective clarity of purpose is the invisible leader.” ~Mary Parker Follett 9 of 30

INVITE

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Stakeholders, Design, Space"

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“Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, it is the only thing that ever has.” ~Margaret Mead

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Invitation is a verb, inviting people to come into our work together. The invitation is a living breathing thing that is connected to the purpose of the gathering, inviting people to step into the task at hand with their full attention and energy- it is everywhere. Chris Corrigan shares some key ingredients for invitation on his blog that include: clear purpose , how this will affect their work, why they should take time and attention away from their regular tasks and what is required of them to participate well.$

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Stakeholders are a diverse group of people who have a shared interest or concern in the purpose that the team has clarified. It is important to identify the list of people who are needed for the gathering, who have shared interest, and who have a stake in the results of the conversations. Sending out a pre-survey ahead of time to participants will help the team gain a greater sense of clarity in who is coming and what kind of questions they bring.$

At the heart of good design is purpose and participants.

Checking back in on purpose after you get a sense of who is coming will help to further deepen and clarify the purpose of the gathering. From there, the core team begins design work well before people show up.$

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Keep in mind the venue or meeting space you’ll be gathering in. Spaces that are connected to nature, aesthetically beautiful, comfortable, functional and creatively designed help support the participants energy and ability to connect to the purpose and to each other.

Helpful Tips on the Process of Invitation From Chris Corrigan: Reflections on Invitation, June 2010 http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot

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Work through Chaordic Stepping Stones and harvest the need, purpose and people. This becomes the basis for the invitation process.

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Create an invitation list of people who are needed for the meeting. Begin contacting these people and host little conversations to find out what quality of invitation would attract them to this gathering.

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As the design progresses - issue small invitations to the growing list of invitees. Let them know when the dates are chosen, where the location will be, the clarity of the need and purpose as it arises.

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Try to send out more than one invitation. The more important and deep the gathering is, the better it is to send out more information. Online tools are helpful for beginning conversations with participants before the meeting, the more engaged you are with participants, the more engagement arises in the face to face space.

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During the gathering, frame everything as invitation. Use language that invites, it helps participants know that the quality of the experience is up to them.

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Support follow up by inviting participants to connect to one another and continue to find each other. Keep online tools in place, send out follow-ups and invite connection until energy wanes and the project moves on.

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MEET

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“Collective wisdom is reflected in group behaviors that show human decency, social justice, and spiral awareness. The effects of such behaviors result in surprising and positive outcomes that often cannot be ascribed to a simple or singular cause.

Sometimes quite ordinary, other times quite profound, collective wisdom is what can happen when people find themselves in situates that invite new perspectives and evoke higher aspirations.

Often, its emergence is grounded in a different way of listening and bringing attention to the immediacy of the moment.” ~Briskin, Erickson, Ott & Callanan authors of “The Power of Collective Wisdom and the Trap of Collective Folly” (Berrett-Koehler Publishers, 2009)

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“No problem can be solved from the same level of consciousness that created it.” ~Albert Einstein

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Principles of Presencing (from Theory U by Otto Scharmer, pgs. 184 - 188) Open Mind: Let go of the old and surrender into the not-knowing. “Everything that isn’t essential must go.” ~Brian Arthur Open Heart: Like passing through the eye of the needle, the process of “inversion”, shifting the place from which you operate - shifting perspective Open Will: Deep listening and intelligence, the process of coming into being of the new Power of Place: Holding space using curiosity, impersonal love, and seeing the self - shifting from the individual and the collective

Host, Participants, Emergence"

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“Realize deeply that the present moment is all you ever have.” - Eckhart Tolle $

The design is ready. The space is set. The hosting team has gathered together and things are ready to go. Our role at this point is to host the group, the purpose, and the question. This requires a level of presence and awareness within ourselves as hosts for the gathering.

Don’t go alone and remember its not all about you. How can I best serve as the instrument/container to allow the collective wisdom to emerge and make meaning together?$

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What is present within you, shows up on the team, and shows up in the group as a whole. Coherence of the team and collective clarity of purpose helps to build the energetic field for participants to engage in generative conversations. $

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As participants arrive, help them feel as if they’ve arrived home. Making it comfortable for the group so that they can accomplish their work. Tend to the well-being of each individual and the whole. Trust the wisdom of the group. $

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When the meeting is done, the group of stakeholders find collective meaning and start to co-create. This is where the harvest is important - to capture key messages and insights and make sense of them.$

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“Out beyond ideas of wrongdoing and right doing there is a field. I’ll meet you there. ~Rumi 13 of 30

HARVEST 14 of 30

Sense and Meaning Making"

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“The quality of the field determines the quality of the yield.” ~Otto Scharmer"

The fruits of our most important conversations need to be harvested if they are to have an impact in the world. This is the process of collective meaning making. What are the underlying patterns we can see now? How do they shape our intended actions? What will we practice to make these intended actions come and stay alive over time?$

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Harvesting collectively seems to have a greater potential for emergence and yields more than if you did the harvesting alone. It is the next level of conversation where we make sense together. Whoever does the harvest will enjoy the fruits of it. $

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Callers & Core / Harvesting team - harvest the harvest of the gathering and set the compass for the wiser way forward in all directions. The harvesters’ focus is on capturing the essence, remembering, seeing patterns and making meaning - and then making this meaning visible and accessible by sharing it back into the system.$

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There are many ways to engage in meaning making, through visual recordings or graphic facilitation, storytelling, arts, music, online blogs, photo sharing, wikis - let your imagination run wild! Be sure your harvest accompanies the design, is guided by purpose and supported with collective clarity.$

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“We do not understand what we see - but we see what we understand” ~Peter Senge

8 Phases of Harvesting from The Art of Harvesting (v. 3.1) by Monica Nissen & Chris Corrigan

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Sensing the Need: The need translates into clarity of purpose and some defined outcomes. These two points set the compass for a good harvest.

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Preparing the Field: Preparing ourselves and inquiring into the capacity of the system to do the work we are asking it to do.

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Planning the Harvest: For whom, when, why and how will you use it? What template and formats will best serve?

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Planting the Seeds: Be sure to ask the right questions and be sensitive to timing. The most powerful seeds are powerful questions.

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Tending the Crop: We engage in conversation and exploration - where the richness of the harvest is born.

Remove that which doesn’t nourish or serve, protect the integrity of the crop.

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Picking the Fruits: Recording words, key insights, photos videos, etc. Know which tools and methods you will use to capture meaningful insights.

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Preparing and Processing the Fruits: Creating a memory is the first step. The second step is making collective sense, meaning and value.

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Planning the next Harvest: Bringing closure and inviting the next level of understanding - building on that shared understanding feeding ongoing inquiry, learning and engagement.

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ACT

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Seeds Carried Forward" “Action expresses priorities… You may never know what results come of your actions. But if you do nothing. There will be no results.” ~Mahatma Gandhi

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“Watch your thoughts, they become words. Watch your words, they become actions. Watch your actions, they become habits. Watch your habits, they become character. Watch your character, it becomes your destiny.” ~Lao Tzu

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Factors to consider in the Phase of Integration (from Chris Corrigan “Basic design for extraordinary conversations” http://www.chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/?p=3369)

Communicating the results to those that weren’t there, especially the qualitative and non-visible results

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“A thought which does not result in an action is nothing much, and an action which does not proceed from a thought is nothing at all.” ~George Bernanos"

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This is the practice, or phase of integration, where we consider how the results of an extraordinary conversation can be re-integrated back into the organization or system.

When the group takes responsibility, they stay connected with their own power, both collectively and individually people see what needs doing and people step up. They are willing to persist through the obstacles, and challenges- supporting effectiveness by getting clear with who will do what and how they will ensure it will happen. $

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Here the seeds of community gets born, and the results are a connectedness between the stakeholders and wiser actions. Perform the wise actions decided on during the conversation and harvest - but do not act alone. Follow-up and ongoing engagement is critical for supporting continued learning and leading from the field. Always come back to purpose, don’t lose sight of the purpose or it won’t be embodied.

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How do we sustain self-organization? What are the results that matter and who determines that?$

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“Think about it before you have to do it.” ~Chris Corrigan

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REFLECT

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Learning from Reflecting on Experience"

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“We do not learn from experience... we learn from reflecting on experience.” ~John Dewey"

Reflection and capturing what we have learned is done in the core team and with the stakeholders. It's good to set a rhythm of reflection, having regular reflection points built in post-gathering. We gain experience as we move forward. From our experience, we carry the wisdom needed to help us deepen our learning and practice. $

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We deepen our learning when we reflect with our heads, hearts and hands. What new learning and insights have been gained? How do we feel about each other and our work together now? What are the next steps can we begin to build today?$

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Helpful reflection questions might also be framed as$ what, so what, and now what. $ What: What happened? What were the results?$ So What: Why does this matter? To whom?$ Now What: What strategies and actions are needed now? $

$ From here, the next calling question arises.$ $

“…experience teaches us that, without reflection on what we do, we are not likely to benefit from our good thinking.” ~John Barell

“We can change, and we have to change. I call on all of you to make your contribution. To be constructive, flexible and realistic. To be vigilant in your efforts to reach agreement and to show regard to the constraints of other negotiating partners. you must do all this and still be ambitious, courageous and visionary. Together, we can accomplish what must be accomplished.” ~Opening Address by H.E. Lars Lokke Rasmussen, Prime Minister of Denmark, at United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen, December 7, 2009

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“What the head thinks should be examined critically in the heart and the right decision should be carried out by the hands. This should be the primary product of the educational process.” ~Sai Baba of India

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“The only source of knowledge is experience.” ~Albert Einstein

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“Human beings, who are almost unique in having the ability to learn from the experience of others, are also remarkable for their apparent disinclination to do so.” ~Douglas Adams

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“…Experience teaches us that, without reflection on what we do, we are not likely to benefit from our good thinking.” ~John Barell

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RESULTS

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It’s All About Relationship" “We had such a wonderful time that we couldn’t bear to go back to our regular lives. An so we decided we just wouldn’t. And then all the greatness began.” ~Anonymous

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“To make a system stronger, we need to create stronger relationships… in order to change, the system need to learn more about itself from itself.” ~Meg Wheatley, Leadership and the New Science

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“The secret of change is to focus all of your energy, not on fighting the old, but on building the new.” ~Socrates

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“I am who I am today because of the choices I made yesterday.” ~Eleanor Roosevelt

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“Coming together is the beginning; keeping together is progress; working together is success.” ~Henry Ford

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“Each time a person stands up for an idea, or acts to improve the lot of others, or strikes out against injustice, (s)he sends forth a tiny ripple of hope, and crossing each other from a million different centers of energy and daring, those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.” ~Robert F. Kennedy

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“Be true to your work, your word, and your friends.” ~Henry David Thoreau"

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This kind of way of being and working together brings about wiser, more informed action that produce meaningful results and the greatest impact in the organizations and communities we touch. Deeper relationships are formed - new collaborations, new ideas, and new questions surface from these kinds of gatherings. $

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Collective clarity of purpose continues to set the compass of the work going forward. The process continues to engage a wide range of perspectives, it help us see how we got to where we’re at, and where we would like to go being strategic about the steps that are needed now to help us get there. $

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Our results build the credibility, confidence, and capacity to keep moving forward. We continue to act and reflect on our learning as we move forward. Gathering information post-gathering from participants about what impacted them most, what they are curious to learn more about and what their next steps are going forward help support the ongoing learning and development of the core team and stakeholders moving forward.$

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“All too often we are so focused on the finish line that we forget that our relationships impact the results.

The stronger the relationships at the core, the more resilient the outcomes.” ~Tim Merry, Collaborative Advantage 21 of 30

THE 8th BREATH

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Wholeness of Practice"

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“When we seek connection, we restore the world to wholeness. Our seemingly separate lives become meaningful as we discover how truly necessary we are to each other. “ ~Margaret Wheatley"

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There is a large, global community of deep practitioners using integrated participative change processes, methods, maps and planning tools to engage groups and teams in meaningful conversation, deliberative collaboration, and group-supported action for the common good. This community is made up of people who are stewarding the Art of Hosting practices in their region and around the world. $

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These practitioners come from a hosting lineage, bringing valuable perspective and practice to diverse teams from across the globe. They are hosting and sensing the whole, being aware of all 7 breaths, tending to the long-term intent and the wisdom of the actions & practices that unfold locally. This global community of practitioners helps to co-create and nurture the well being of everyone in the systems and communities these practices touch. $

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None of us own it, but we deeply trust it as we continue to shift patterns that no longer serve, illuminating patterns that serve and host people to discover the possibilities and wisdom found in the collective minds and hearts of people around the world. $

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“ Practice makes progress.” ~Anonymous

Stewarding is a verb, a practice and a journey.

They weave together the whole network, carrying the depth of the patterns across numerous trainings and gatherings they have been a part of - sensing the whole and creating and holding space for the groups they work with.

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Qualities & Responsibilities of Stewarding

Practitioners of hosting who live this work in the blood and bones of everyday Skilled in the energetics of holding the container for sacred engagement and knowledgeable of practices that provide structure to such container Have participated in called, hosted Art of Hosting gatherings and serve as the outer ring of thoughtful leadership who hold the pattern and the fellowship They are stewards and guardians of this workStand as an outer ring of wisdom and learning, working collectively as a global network of deep practitioners Aware of the patterns at all times Embody the tone of what the Art of Hosting is calling itself to become Practice the art of protection, protecting the sacred Build such a consciousness and simplicity that Art of Hosting continues to serve life Keep inviting in the next stewards, creating space for those who feel called

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LOGISTICS & PlANNING TIPS

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Planning Timeline for a 3 day AoH Gathering

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Timeline, Supplies, Set-Up"

5 - 9 Months Prior: Imagining, Calling

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The birthing time of an idea. A caller has felt a need and wants to do something about it.

Respond to interest of callers Listen for clarity of need and purpose

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(from Teresa Posakony, July 2008, edited by Ria Baeck, Jan. 2010)

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4 - 5 Months Prior: Forming, Inviting The need here is to clarify the team that cares enough about the question and purpose. These are people to jointly hold the energy.

Who can help take care of logistics together. Who want to help. The work needed is to listen together to deepen into purpose, and follow the 8 Breaths of Design Architecture throughout.

There should be 2-4 Stewards on the team, depending on the number of participants. Some practitioners may apprentice. Typically new apprentices are not paid, more experience practitioners can be paid a percentage of the stewards, or are paid after the facilitators have been assured a certain amount.

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2-4 Months Prior: Hosting Team Prepares the Field Hosting team meets monthly to build the hosting field, update registration, explore added invites. Logistics are well underway with the venue, flights are booked as needed for the hosting team.

$2-3 Weeks Prior: Confirmation and Welcome

Confirm participants and host room assignments, finalize menus after clarifying special dietary needs, Welcome letter to participants and a “get to know you” to host team and participants, transportation coordinated by local team, workbooks are ready, supplies are ready and design day meeting place is set.

$1 Week Prior

Roster sent to participants and hosts, confirm design day times, plans

“A conversation begins long before it starts, and continues long after it ends.”$

Although this guidebook and the 8 Breaths of Design Architecture looks like a step by step description, the process is not linear, but rather cyclical, and making sense (harvesting), reflecting on alignment of purpose and next wise steps happens throughout the process.$

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This section is made up of various patterns and tools we have found helpful here in our region of the world.

It’s not written in stone how this kind of stuff works.

We see it as more of a permaculture of practices. We have practitioners around the globe who have applied these practices in different contexts. What we share with you here is what we have discovered through the various regions and contexts where these practices have taken root, and began to grow. $

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We hope you find this section helpful in supporting you on your practitioners journey. We look forward to meeting you and hearing about what it is thats calling you to this work in the world and what it is you are seeing and learning in your practice. $

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$Post Event - Within 1 Month

Harvest for AoH shared out to email list, AoH online community, finalize the administration of expenses and invoices, send “Further Resources” follow-up email to participants, payments are finalized among the team.

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AoH Supply List for 100 Participants (Thanks to Susan Geller and Chris Corrigan)

Paper, Name-tags, Workbooks and Post-its • • • • • • • • •

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Rolls of white paper (3 rolls)$ White copy paper (2 reams)$ Multi-colored copy paper (2 reams)$ 3x5 index cards (unlined)$ Flip chart pads - non-stick (1 flip chart for every 5 people, helps with floor teaches)$ Flip chart stands (5 is ideal)$ Name-tags for participants$ Art of Hosting Workbooks$ Post-its (rectangular and square, 3x3, 3x5, larger rectangles, multicolor. At least 1 post-it note pad for every 8 people, more is always better)$

Another idea: Additional resources are a great way to invite people to explore practices and concepts further.

Bring some books, cards, information and resources - its a great way to spark curiosity and invite addition inquiry and conversation.

Tech and Harvest: • Screen, projector and laptop$ • Speakers and iPod $ • Digital camera and video

Stuff to Stick and Stuff to Cut • Blue Painters Tape, (2) thin 1/2” and (1) thick 1”$ • Scotch Tape (3 pack with plastic dispensers)$ • Glue Sticks (3-4) Scissors (6 pairs = more help)

Get Colorful • Unscented markers (no yellow, preferably more than 1 marker / person)$

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Crayons$ Colored pencils$ Pastels$ Markers (Thick/Think)$ Chalk Set$ Pens/pencils

Helpful Tip: Mason Jars make it easy to put a bunch of markers on each table space.

To determine how many jars you need divide the number of people by 4

Beautification: • Circle Center Materials (cloth, candles, objects)$ • Tablecloths, center fabric pieces for tables$ • Flowers

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ht l lig a r atu :$ are ts of n h air$ to s e s lo enu e with for fre nected V l s c a n nd Ide A spa indow t is co ga n i a w h m and ace t lco ugh we p s s $ i e n o p a ce s A t e a r n h u ope ut s nat ace t $ p e e and eak o tions$ l s b A pita br rsa arg ity hos ace l priate conve mun p o , m r A s app roup ke co eums g . i h s l t l wi mal ces , mu s, etc s a s l r m p o u fo lic s cho a si Pub ters, s gymn , cen rches u ch

Some Insights on Room Set-Up & Venue Selection Tables for 
 Small Groups

Circle with Center

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8 Breaths of Design Architecture
 Learning and Reflecting on the Patterns of Our Work

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The deepest bow of gratitude, compassion, and respect for my friends who have been deeply committed to supporting and contributing to this journey. Rowan Simonsen and James Ede - thank-you for everything.

This would not be where it is at today had it not been for your friendship, love and support.$

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This guidebook was created through an invitation from a friend and colleague to whom I have very grateful for - Jerry Nagel of Meadowlark Institute helped plant the seed for this through Bush Foundation and their contribution to the shared learning of inviting people throughout our region to these practices found in the guidebook.

Because of your insight and pioneering work here in the world, you helped this effort to take root and grow.$

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The content is not owned by any one person - it is a sharing of learning and practices from the global community of practice found in the Art of Hosting. Names and recognition were given throughout the book, and additional resources and links are available on the following resources page.

Thank-you to all of our friends, colleagues, and mates who have worked along with us throughout this journey. $

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This is just the beginning. Another seed. A majority of content from this guidebook came from Groundwork: A Practitioners Guide to Preparing the Field for Conversations that Matter.

Groundwork is a collaborative writing process that is working on an online wiki to help further develop the concepts and practices found in this guidebook.

You can learn more about this project by going to www.groundworkguide.pbworks.com

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Resources for More • Groundwork Guidebook: Preparing the Field for Conversations that Matter - found on PBWiki: www.groundworkguide.pbworks.com$ • The Prophetic Imagination by Walter Brueggemann$ • group works Deck created by the Group Pattern Language Project$ • The Collaborative Advantage by Tim Merry, Change Ahead www.timmerry.com $ • Chris Corrigan’s Blog - Reflections on Invitation, June 2010 http://chriscorrigan.com/parkinglot/)$ • Resources found at www.artofhosting.ning:$ • Art of Harvesting v. 3.1 Monica Nissen & Chris Corrigan$ • The Art of Stewarding posted by Kathy Jourdain on September 2, 2011$ • 8 Breaths of Design Architecture by Monica Nissen and Simone $ • Description of qualities and responsibilities for Stewardship: AoH Stewardship 1.1 $ • Find an upcoming gathering or connect with a regional contact on the Art of Hosting website www.artofhosting.org 30 of 30