What’s your favorite place?

What's your favorite place to collaborate, kibitz, and all around community build?

The location of any group meeting conveys a message all on its own.  Some of our most moving and magical collaborative moments have occurred by taking a twist on the usual board room or office meeting space. For example, we have facilitated and hosted in our own homes or in coffee shops (think First Nation spirituality conversations while nestled in circular placed couches or watching strength inspired movie clips while lounging in a family setting). Several times we have held meetings and celebrations out of the usual conference room and donned outdoor gear (think strategic planning scavenger hunt in a park or annual networking events while walking on the beach - true stories).

So if you are looking for some mindful meeting magic remember to think about the physical space and location. Being intentional sets the tone for the type of interaction that will evolve.

• If you are thinking creative - be playful and unexpected with the environment.
•  If you are thinking renewal and rejuvenation – design a space to be calm and filled with natural elements. 
• If you are thinking relationship building and networking – use a space to allow movement and connection.

Your turn...tell us your favorite place to do it. Collaboration that is! 

Share your meeting space "twist" or collaborative location ideas and help inspire other village raisers!
Post on RTV facebook or Twitter.

RTV #42 - Get it in writing

A Year of Raising the Village. Week #42 –Get it in Writing!

ACTIVE commitments have more staying power than those that are made passively.

It can be frustrating when trying to drum up some volunteers - and the bulk of the work continues to land on the same few shoulders. This road is sure to lead to burnout.

An interesting study found that the number of people who agreed to volunteer didn't change whether it was an active or passive response  but the difference was who actually showed up. And in the end, that is what counts!

ONLY 17% of those who passively volunteered ("said" yes or raised their hand) showed up while 49% of those who actively volunteered came as promised.


The obvious observation, then, is to try to get ACTIVE commitments.  What does that look like?  The study found that when commitments get written down, the individual is connected more strongly with a  judgment on themselves. So it becomes more difficult to shake off, ignore or downplay their commitment.

Have a sign up sheet! Then circulate that list as a reminder!

In our experience, the same goes for acknowledgements. Passive thank you's to those who have volunteered are "nice." But thank you cards, posters with names and articles that highlight people cement positive interactions.

Getting it in writing goes both ways!

Thump, Thump, Thump, Thump...Heart Listening

Paul Born inspired us in last week’s Raising the Village interview when he said “The critical thing today is to listen to our hearts. This may be the most radical thing we can do for children".


Continuing along this community heart trail we decided to share some of our favourite heart-listening quotes. Not only do they align with Paul’s comments, they also help to illuminate caring connections and the working together spirit. Enjoy the heart thumping and please share your favourite quotes with us!

• I think of a gesture of love as anything we do that helps others discover their humanity. Any act where we turn to one another. Open our hearts. Extend ourselves. Listen. Any time we’re patient. Curious. Quiet. Engaged. ~ Margaret Wheatley in the book: turning to one another ~


• It is one of the most beautiful compensations of this life that no man can sincerely try to help another without helping himself...Serve and thou shall be served. ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson ~


• For a community to be whole and healthy, it must be based on people's love and concern for each other. ~ Millard Fuller ~


• The next Buddha may take the form of a community, a community practicing understanding and loving kindness, a community practicing mindful living. This may be the most important thing we can do for the survival of the earth. ~ Thich NHhat Hanh ~


• Speaking truth helps you get clarity on your real heart directives. ~ Sara Paddison ~


• Our capacity to listen puts us in contact with the wider dimensions of the world in which we live. It lets us connect to it. Listening can open in us a door, a greater sense of participation in the world. ~William Isaacs from the book: dialogue and the art of thinking together ~
  

At Raising the Village we have experienced the power that occurs when people speak from their hearts and engage other people’s hearts. Through shared stories, shared dialogue or shared experiences relationship shifts occur, shared leadership propels and collective relevance between village members is abundant. Engage the heart and you engage community.

Village Raising Question:
Children and families are at the centre of the village – how can we listen to what’s in their hearts? What are they telling us?

Watch for next week’s blog for Village ideas on hearing and engaging families.