Patterns & Metaphors
Self-reflective conferencing
Other Names:
Group-counsel conferencing
Inter-group therapy
Affinity group conferencing
Template:
A meeting or a part of a meeting when the different groupings that are identifiable at the conference attempt to explore and to deal creatively with the different expectations, frustrations that each group has in relationship to the others. The process can take the form of a group therapy session, except that instead of individual participants speaking for themselves, the various groupings congregate in different places around the hall and make their contributions as a group. There are many kinds of questions which can open up "therapeutic dialogue" between the groups, for example: (a) What are our expectations for this conference ? (b) How do we perceive the qualities and the role of our grouping furthering the conference process ? (c) How de we perceive the qualities and the roles of the other groupings in furthering the process ? (d) How do we perceive other groupings hindering the process ? (e) How can we move towards a resolution of the conflicts and the realization of all our expectations ? Responses to these and similar questions can be worked on by the groupings and then shared with each other in the open assembly. The conference participants can be grouped in different ways and participants can be left free to identify themselves with any of the groupings -often having to choose between two and three appropriate options. The groupings may be formal categories or informal, affinity groups, for example; (a) Original organizing group (b) Structure-oriented group (i.e. favouring adherence to a predetermined programme, with emphasis on lectures and workshops by key resource people) (c) Process-oriented group (i.e. favouring flexibility, with emphasis on all participants as resource people) (d) "Super-class" resource people (i.e. those who participated with the intention of giving a lecture) (e) Lecture attenders (i.e. those specially in favour of lectures by key resource people) (f) Workshop attenders (i.e. those specially in favour of workshops) (g) Detached observers (i.e. those uncommitted to the ends of the conference) (h) Floaters (i.e. those drawn to a variety of experiences) (i) Visionary instigators (i.e. the group concerned to ensure that something new and significant emerges from the conference) (j) Intellectual modellers (i.e. those intent on the possibilities and fruits of conceptual synthesis) (k) "Action-now" group (i.e. those wanting to act immediately and to stop talking) (l) "Here-and-now" group (i.e. those impressed by the immediacy and "rightness" of the present and the lack of pressure to act) (m) Artists and visualizers (n) Educator group.
[Advantages] High-risk manoeuvre but one that has enormous potential for individual organizational transformation. Participants feel themselves involved in an unprecedented way. Groups become aware of themselves and of others in a way that increases mutual understanding and trust. The burden for the "event" of the conference is taken on by all the participants within their affinity groups.
[Disadvantages] Takes an unpredictable period of time without a guarantee of a creative outcome since it is completely dependent on the participants and the interaction between them. Can be threatening and frustrating to participants who prefer the role of consumers at a conference.
