Asheville Communities Network (ACN)
Minutes from Stepping Up Meeting
Grace Episcopal Church
October 21, 2008 6:30-8:30
Number of Participants - 17
Names – See sign in sheet
Meeting Agenda: Co-Creative Group Process
Topic: Next steps for ACN
Facilitator: Joshua Cantor & Marianne Kilkenny
Presenter: Gayatri Erlandson, PhD
Notetaker: Mary Silva
**Note Abbreviation …. IC = Intentional Community
Marianne opened with an ACN overview and then turned the meeting over to Joshua, who expressed his desire to expand ACN.
Gayatri opened by asking the question "What would motivate you to want to attend ACN meetings?
Responses:
Networking
Having a place to find housemates, tenants, communities
Being able to promote sale of real estate
Events
Fun Stuff
Interactive activities
She then presented (an gave handouts on) the four steps in the Co-Creative Group Process (listed here) – In a co-creative environment, we celebrate and capitalize on our differences, and we venture into a deep dialogue of the Soul.
1. Everyone always participates, whether silent or vocal. Everyone's presence makes a difference.
2. Remain in centered, receptive awareness – Verbalize only when truly inspired.
3. Verbal Participation – Once a topic/subgroup is initiated, name it to help keep focus. Always add to, extend, or enhance what was just said. Look at your subgroup members while conversing and use their names as much as possible.
4. Silent Participation – Practice being present in centered awareness – 1) Be aware of the groups energy, with a sense of receptivity, trust and general appreciation; 2) Focus appreciation for those who are verbalizing.
We began the process by being silent until someone was inspired to name a topic/subgroup.
The 1st Topic/Subgroup was presented by
Dan who began with the to create more community events inspired by the idea of combining Stephanie's thought of ACN being an IC and John's mention of Hickory Nut Forest community's "fun events" on Sundays and to do more events outside the meetings as the ACN community, to attend other community events, and for ACN to be seen out in the world (such as the example of the successful Eco-village presentation evening event at Jubilee! sponsored by ACN).
¨ Joshua joined in and said he would like ACN to have a platform to support groups and activities
¨ John joined and mentioned having meetings in different locations.
¨ Mary joined and forgot to take notes on what she said…
¨ Linda joined and explained how holding meetings in various locations could actually help expand ACN.
Dan suggested having meetings and events at different locations such as other communities.
¨ Anna joined and suggested that we (ACN) as a group, attend and support events at existing Intentional Communities such as the festival at Earth Haven this coming Saturday.
Joshua said he's been wanting to do more events but needed assistance from others.
Mary mentioned wanting to see an IC day and/or IC Expo
Dan suggested creating a list of IC events that we can support
¨ Stephanie joined and thought we should consider extending the concept of IC's beyond residential IC's, and actually consider ACN as an IC.
John suggested additional events including those for artists, musicians, children, etc.
Joshua mentioned an event that Jeremy is having in Dec. (Solstice Celebration in Burnesville) and invited ACN members to attend.
Mary brought up that some people may be interested in carpooling to FIC (Fellowship for Intentional Communities) events that are held twice a year.
Joshua thought is would be great to get to know each other outside the meetings.
Gayatri led us in SILENCE for the 2nd topic/subgroup
2nd Topic/Subgroup was presented by
MaryLou - "Expanded Announcements and Sharing Time"
¨ Linda joined and said that had been a past interest of hers but wasn't sure how to make it happen.
¨ Joshua joined and said he would like to see the networking aspect strengthened.
¨ John joined and said it's all about networking and would like to also see it on the website
Mary Lou would also like to see updates on properties, communities, land for sale, etc.
Joshua thought monthly bi-meetings would be a good idea – maybe the second meeting could be just for networking.
¨ Stephanie joined and mentioned possibly having some larger meetings with various presentations on various topics and possibly doing Open-Space meetings.
¨ Jim joined and brought up the idea of "I have/I need" lists, possibly having it as a column on the sign in sheet and website.
Stephanie 2nd that idea - and thought it would be good for community nneds as well as personal needs and offerings.
Joshua mentioned sharing info with other groups and giving more support of them on the our website
¨Emily joined and made the observations that there seems to be two levels of involvement, one being visionary and the other more practical, and thought it a good practice to acknowledge both.
¨ Simm joined and made the suggestion of getting to know each other better through 90 second one-on-one conversations - and then switching to another person, and another and another – similar to speed-dating. Exchanging ideas and contact info.
¨ Jim joined in and thought having the "I Need/ I Want" column on the sign-in sheet was a good idea.
¨ Alex joined and brought up the idea of a Community "Resource Pool" where we could share equipment, books, tools, etc.
¨ Mary joined and brought up the Barter concept with a barter currency for the future
¨ Linda spoke of the economics of Community.
¨ Dan joined and talked about how great it would be to have the computer technology to match what we are doing and to interact with others.
Jim suggested we promote the "I need/ I want" list more at our meetings vs. the website so people will attend meeting and not just use the website because it's such a great resource…
Linda said … not to worry!! J
Emily mentioned ways to share food.
Gayatri's reflected she heard people wanting more than just meeting time.
Mary suggested an ongoing web dialog similar to the IC.org website "guestbook page"
Dan mentioned a great support page model called Caring Brige.
ACTION ITEMS
Gayatri states the "key" is to identify groups.
Anna volunteered to do outreach research and find out what local IC's are doing and ways that we could work together. (she would like a couple others to join her)
Mary Lou agreed to assist.
John volunteered to be involved with events and networking.
Gayatri suggested John work as a coordinator between Anna's subgroup and the Program committee.
Joshua suggested people interested in planning events may want to join the planning committee and suggested reviewing the ACN guidelines.
Announcements:
Marianne announced to the group that she would like to have another co-leader or possibly have someone else take the leadership role with her assisting.
Joshua will be scheduling one more "Stepping Up" meeting before he leaves for Costa Rica for the winter. TBA
The next regularly scheduled ACN meeting will be Nov. 9th – Raphael will be presenting a playback demonstration focusing on Intergenerational Community.
Joshua led a closing and the group finished with a harmonious ooooooooooommmmmmmmm.
The End…. Of the beginning J
Respectfully submitted,
Mary Silva