Wow- what an experience! From the moment the conference started
to the moment it finished, the time was electric and so full of
experiences, it flew by.
There were group activities, workshops, open spaces, films and
speeches all day and late into the evening for two days. Imagine 33
open space options to get round in each of three 1 ¼ hour time
slots - that's 99 different possibilities!! 10 workshops offered on
each of three timeslots that's 33 and you could only go to
three!
In between there were the people, so many from all over the UK
and around the world, and the conversations with them in the tea
queues etc. All of them keen to make Transitions Towns grow or find
out what it is all about. So many ideas and such creativity and
energy cannot be easily described but rest assured we are part of
an evolving, dynamic movement that is spreading like wildfire.
Ed Miliband, Secretary of State for Energy and Climate Change,
came for an interview with Rob Hopkins and then surprised everyone
by coming back the next day and taking part in the open space
running at that time …… cynicism aside, can we hope for another
convert? Large organisations are now contacting the movement and
showing interest, the National Trust and several local authorities
for example.
The underlying conference theme was about looking after
ourselves, both personally and as groups. There were several
workshops helping people explore group dynamics and conflict and
different ways of organising to take the strain off the heavy
workload it takes to get ideas off the ground. This was to prevent
people leaving through stress and conflict. A timely thought, few
groups had addressed this part of what they do. We need to support
ourselves and each other.
Another theme was celebration, not just party celebrations but
the simple celebrations of work well done or great effort put in
and taking the time to acknowledge this to each other. I hope we
can all make time for this.
I understand all the work done will be transcribed and be
available on the Transition website before long, so look out for
that, some great things are going on out there!
In a short space it's almost
impossible to describe the many interesting and exciting events,
communal work, workshops and open spaces. Here's a
taster.
Weaving Magic
This was a short introduction to a very practical course that
aims to help groups be effective. I found Nick Osbourn, who gave
the taster, a very practical and an interesting presenter, and
there was something for everyone from new to seasoned members.
Sometimes we don't get to examine the way we do work, and what
could make life easier, because of the pressures of getting the
projects done - this is a great course.
It covers: Group Purpose, Effective Meetings, Roles and
tasks, Conflict Management, Power, Decision Making &
Leadership, Looking after ourselves and each other (including how
members join and leave and how to keep people involved),
Collaborative Communication
Transition Training & Consulting
A workshop to gauge opinion about the draft process and ideology
behind working with business and organisations.
Just being launched now, this new wing of the Transitions Towns
movement aims to offer transition-related products and services for
businesses and other organisations. These products will be
delivered by the TT&C Practitioner Network, a community of
trainers and consultants ideally based in local transition
initiatives, who work in a professional, commercial capacity.
The practitioners in the TT&C Practitioner Network (P-Net)
are paid for the delivery work (and are often involved in the
selling/positioning of the work too), with a cut going to TT&C
to cover its operational costs, and remaining profit going to
support the work of the wider Transition Network.
The first 2 day ERA (Energy Resilience Assessment) Practitioner
Training Course will be held on 7-8th October, 2009 in
Devon (future courses will be held around the UK). The deadline for
applications is 5pm on 7th August, 2009.
Constellations
Another taster session this time about understanding ourselves
and others. Following a process to choose questions, people are
then chosen to take roles that might help with it. Our question was
about fears 'how can we face our fears and turn them into
blessings?'
The person with the question moves people around in relation to
the others and each say how they feel. Strangely this is very
effective, I was a role player of 'we' and though I did nothing,
just moved by the questioner, this simple action brought up some
interesting feelings and results. These changed as the positions
changed. Intriguing, and could be more so given a longer time to
work on the questions.
Open Space
Though I went to several, the most vibrant memory is that of
Dragon Dreaming, which should really have been a workshop. Run by a
lively Aussie ( I think), John Croft, this work aims to ensure that
via a series of linked steps, you successfully complete projects.
Rob Hopkins has been using this method, seemingly to great effect.
For wow factor, this was the biggest crowd puller and no one wanted
to move onto to other open spaces, it was that compelling. If you
get the chance get to one of these workshops go.
Let's hope we can have a regional conference some day, so more
of us can enjoy and benefit from the experience.