Yes Barbara, The evening news and Morning announcements are key sessions for allowing all participants (not just the few outspoken ones) to express their "new" issue or to tell a story that will allow them to grow in the community. I think this is very hard work because the way I behave sends the messages that the group responds to.
After three days in March people were saying I wish we were not going home as I have just got used to the system and I have a number of issues to discuss. We provided the post event "virtual Forum" on the world wide web to encourage unfinished conversations but again the world wide web is new and different and does require a different set of skills and knowledge (may be confidence) to use. The reality is that not many took up the invitation. Yet another challenge for the facilitator to construct an environment that breaks down these barriers. The forces within the circle with a large number of people is vast and the community feels this. For some their past experience in manipulated and controlled environments puts them on their guard. I see it as my task to encourage these individuals to see it as a friendly force that works for them. As a facilitator I must be aware of the community but just as the good shepherd I express this awareness through my care of the individual. To keep the space everyone should feel that it is theirs, in large groups it just means that I must work 'smarter" to make this connection with as may people as possible. Being truly present and truly listening means, for me, that at all times throughout the event I am listening and watching for opportunities to encourage individuals through the conference community. Robert
