GDI Team Presents at NCCPS
March 2nd, 2009Today I awoke in Denver Colorado after playing percussion at a live show
last night with my great friend Ivan Huber and his band – Art Compost and
the Word Mechanics. Our music was the instrumental jam-band and warm up
for the Poetry Slam – where random people would perform poetry to our
eclectic instrumental fusion. It was a great way to finish up this stint
in Colorado and another vivid example of people living out their passion
through artistic expression.
Last week was largely spent in Colorado with the national and
international GDI team at a “unconference” called NCCPS. The format for
this conference is quite intriguing. The format is known as Open Space
and essentially involves participants arriving at the conference with NO
SET SCHEDULE. Have you ever been to a conference with NO SET SCHEDULE?
What an incredible concept!
About 200 experiential educators converged in Boulder Colorado to discuss
the art and science of experiential learning including leadership,
facilitation, work, play and team dynamics. I love this conference because
it provides the platform for participants to present and discover the most
important topics in their personal and professional growth. The entire
agenda for the conference is created in the first 2 hours of the 3 day
conference. This occurs by participants proposing that the time slots be
filled with Presentations (a ready-to-go presentation) Workshops (a
facilitated seminar with expertise provided upon request by the presenter)
Discussions (facilitated conversation or activity around topics of
interest) and I NEED (topics that participants want to have someone else
present on.) This provides the platform for presenters to try new things
and get feedback from the audience and to really dive into the topics that
are most important. Each day the conference schedule is revisited and
topics updated.
Grand Dynamics had an excellent presence and delivered several
presentations including The Master Facilitator (Holly Baade), New Games
and Activities (Will Leggett), Creating International Initiatives to
Change the World (Josh Morris) and of course, SEEKING TRUE NORTH!
I was inspired by our industry greats like Chris Cavert and Sam Sikes and
the plethora of facilitators I was lucky to meet for the first time, many
who have the potential to join the ranks for Grand Dynamics contract
facilitators. One cool workshop even included how to design and deliver a
team building workshop where participants find, build a GIANT CATAPULT!
(technically it’s a Trebuchet :o)!
Thanks to Tom Leahy and the whole NCCPS crew and to everyone that SHOWED UP. I am looking forward to the drive home today and reflecting on all the great things in life and all the new opportunities that continue to
unfold for Grand Dynamics. And also looking forward to strategization of
the ACTION! The energy and vibe is positive and the universe continues to
offer magical connections.
As I said in my NCCPS closing comments, There
is Genius and Boldness in ACTION. Whatever you can dream to do, do it NOW.
For Success is reserved for those that SEEK IT OUT. Happy Hunting!
