> There have been some recent postings about very large group processes
> that I can't seem to find in my archives. I am about to do some work
> with large groups (200-300) to engage them in transformational
> education and am looking for design and/or technology assisted ways
> which support impactful work with large groups.
>
> Any suggestions, products, services or offers in this area will be
> most welcome. I am not looking
> for content but for process, environment and display support.
>
We are presently doing a lot of work in this area. Some of the key threads
in the design are:
Use of an electronic wireless audience response system to allow
participants to shift further into the left hand column in their
responses to key question. The hardware system we use is put out by
Fleetwood, but we have not yet found a software supplier who we have
huge confidence in - we currently use Megatrack from Canada. If you
would like more infor on how to track them down just let me know.
Use of a conference design team representing every function and area
of the business to make the key decisions and to manage internal
communications with the people they represent. This group does not
just come together to do the design but to test it on themselves and
to refine and improve the design as we go along. We have also found
it works to shift the focus from the interventions themselves to the
process of transformation itself and for these people to become the
primary listening post during the transition.
Extensive use of metaphor - in presentations, by the participants
themselves in articulating their shared understanding and by a
graphic facilitator in drawing and occaisionally interpreting the
story of the event as it unfolds (she also educates participants on
the use of metaphor. Metaphor both shortens and sharpens
comunications but also breaks down alot of the literacy which
precludes particpation and support for the process of transformation
for a significant percentage of most populations.
Creating the primary record of the event as a handbook which deploys
the visual outputs of the process in context of practical information
that assists participants to obtain for themselves the benefits that
that process was intended to provide, along with mapping out the
support facilities available. The handbook itself is in cartoon form
and is framed as a self development, team development tool kit that
is eveolving out of the organisations own understanding and
consciousness of what support is most useful and who within the
organisation can provide it (if possible). The focus of the handbook
is team oriented, but also supports individuals directly.
Providing a roll out process that follows up whole system conferences
with local and functionally oriented conferences that ensure that
almost everyone directly participates in the action. At the local
level front-line opinion leaders tell the story to their peers.
Let me know if any more info would be useful. We have developed three
or four visual models that may help if the above smells right.
Warm regards
-- Mark Feenstra mark@winwin.co.nz Win Win Group PO Box 99 193 Auckland, New Zealand Ph. 64 9 307 0888 Fax. 64 9 307 0891 Yours for creative action aligned to the well being of the whole