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Community Building
My passion is to expand the collective capacity of groups through developing skills and practices to open up communication, collaboration, and creativity. I design and facilitate experiences for communities to develop collaborative networks and to work through conflict, releasing that energy to serve what they are trying to create. I serve as a catalyst for positive change, social conscience and connection to our collaboration and. interdependence. "Susan...has a clarity and steadiness that inspires confidence and trust.. The warmth of her presence draws people in, taking them to places they probably didn't know they could go." Peggy Holman, Co-editor
The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future My Approach to Community Building
Services Networking & Alliance Building I bring large, diverse groups together to share resources, discover innovative ways to support each other, and --when appropriate-- to create a collective sense of purpose. I help groups move beyond ego and turf issues to coalesce around shared higher purpose, which empowers and strengthens everyone. Mediation & Conflict Transformation By creating a safe space, a strong container and an effective process, I help groups discover how conflict brings an opportunity to locate and release the blocked energy for creative transformation. Learning to embrace and work through conflicts is essential to community building and organizational vitality so that creativity is nurtured, diversity is celebrated and collaboration is fostered. Large Group Processes & Dialogue I employ a range of highly participatory processes that invite 'the whole system' into the room whenever possible to maximize interaction, connection, and dialogue, which releases creativity and energy. This makes events come alive so that the process of the event itself is transformative. Participants actively engage in co-creating the event instead of having it delivered to them. Such processes are in themselves transformative. Through these experiences participants become more empowered, and have increased capacity as a result. I offer processes for the practice of dialogue that bring forth the unique talents and voices of everyone. Methods include Future Search, Open Space, World Cafè, Conversation Cafès, Appreciative Inquiry and Dynamic Facilitation to reach breakthrough thinking that goes beyond consensus. Compassionate Listening Compassionate Listening is a practice of deep, open-hearted, spiritual listening, from heart to heart, spirit to spirit, which transforms conflict, even in highly polarized situations. The practice of Compassionate Listening is transformative both to the listener and to the person being heard. I can help organize a delegation to bring this healing listening to your community and introduce the skills needed. Conversation Cafès This simple yet elegant process enhances connection and community, critical thinking, and social liveliness. I can bring it to your community or event. The Conversation Cafè process shifts the conversation from small to BIG talk and fosters a sense of community. back to top Sample Projects Regional People's Assembly: Designed and facilitated a regional conference for this non profit, attended by over 150, including international delegates, utilizing Open Space and Future Search. SAVE (Students Against Violence Everywhere, part of MAVIA, Mothers Against Violence In America): Designed and facilitated a statewide Youth Summit to empower youth around issues of violence prevention utilizing Open Space. People Web: Helped create a broad regional network of grassroots organizations. Designed and facilitated quarterly coalition meetings to generate dialogue, brainstorm innovative ways to collaborate and sustain each other. Processes included: World Cafè, Appreciative Inquiry, Dynamic Facilitation and theatre games. Earth Charter Community Summit: Facilitated the Open Space portion of Seattle's Community Summit in 2001 and 2002. These events were linked via satellite with summits in over 20 cities nationwide. Structures for Change: Co-facilitated and designed a two day conference for grassroots activists from across the nation. Attended by over 100, the conference (workshops?) utilized Open Space, dialogue, and applied meditation. African American Jewish Coalition for Justice: Designed and facilitated large group dialogue processes for the annual Martin Luther King Day breakfasts for several years, with over 100 in attendance each year. Sessions resulted in enhanced collective sense of purpose, networking, and action groups that took on projects lasting throughout the year. back to top Community Service
back to top Testimonials "Susan's deep passion and commitment permeate her work. And as if that isn't enough, her inquiring mind is always deepening the questions, bringing practices appropriate to the situation. I can picture her now, as she introduces Compassionate Listening to a group. She has a clarity and steadiness that inspires confidence and trust. I LOVE watching her work. The warmth of her presence draws people in, taking them to places they probably didn't know they could go." Peggy Holman, Co-editor of The Change Handbook: Group Methods for Shaping the Future
"Susan has such a warm and clear way of presenting that whatever she invites you to do, you want to do. She is also one of the world's best listeners, really getting at the essence of what you are saying and feeding it back to you so it sounds more lucid than when it left your lips." Vicki Robin, "Your Money or Your Life" author,
New Road Map Foundation/Simplicity Forum Founder "I have seen Susan facilitate at many gatherings over the past years, including the national conference Co-Creating Structures for Change… She excels at getting people energized around building community. She was also the first host of a "conversation cafè" which has since become a national initiative." Steve Habib Rose
Director, Neighbornets |
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© 2003 Partnow Communication. All rights reserved. Contact Us. Susan@PartnowCom.com - (206) 789-8697 4425 Baker Ave NW, Seattle, WA 98107 - fax (206) 782-7786 Design by Tyler Peckenpaugh. |
