Experience Objectives
- Help community members manifest their personal and professional goals.
- Harness the community’s collective power of collaboration and generosity.
Materials
- One ball point pen per participant
- 20 note cards (3x5) per participant
- Name tags (pre-printed, or blank)
- 5 Sharpie pens (for name tags, if not printed)
Facilitators/Volunteers
- One facilitator per circle of 8-12 people
- Note: Plan to do a facilitation prep call a few days before the event to run through the agenda, clarify process, role, etc.
- Consider engaging 3-5 volunteers to help with event set-up, check-in, break down, etc.
Pre-Post Communication
- CCNYC began marketing the event ~2 months beforehand and sent a series of reminder leading up to it.
- Getting the right people in the room will enhance the quality of the experience for all involved, so individualized outreach to high-potential participants is recommended.
- Consider asking for permission to share participant contact information, in case people can’t read names/emails on notecards.
Time / Topic / Detail
1 hour / Set Up /
- Volunteers set up check-in station (signage, nametags, etc.).
- Place flipchart easels and supplies in specified locations; include sample asks and offers on flip charts.
- Arrange food, drink, plates, plastic ware, etc.
- Play music, if possible.
30 mins / Welcome & Dinner /
- Volunteers welcome participants, sign them in, give nametags, ask them to pick a slip of paper with their circle assignments, and explain that dinner is first, followed by circles experience.
- Invite all participants to take note cards and a pen and to write down their names and one specific “ask” and one specific “offer” on each note card at some point in the next 30 mins.
- Note that requests can be personal or professional in nature, but must be within the capacity of a human being to provide (e.g., an object, intellectual resource, connection, etc.). Have examples on the check-in counter for people to review.
- Encourage people to mix, mingle, and meet other conscious capitalists over dinner.
15 mins / Opening Remarks /
- Welcome everyone; thanks hosts and participants; explain Conscious Capitalism, chapter, upcoming events, etc.
2 hours / Conscious Collaboration Circe / In large group…
- Provide quick overview of how tonight’s experience will unfold, modeling experience with other facilitators.
- Tell people that we are going to form x number of circles – ask them to look at slip of paper to identify their teams.
- Facilitator introduces herself and invites someone in the circle to introduce themselves (Name and job) and to share their offer and ask in one minute, or less. Pick someone you know will model well. Track and manage time aggressively, or ask for volunteer to help track time.
- Explain that we will now have two minutes for people to ask clarifying questions (e.g., What kind of personal trainer are you looking for?) and to jot down on note cards ideas about how they can help, or take advantage of offers. Ensure people include their names and email addresses on note cards. Emphasize that participants should only address asks or offers if they’re called (no pressure).
- Ask participants to read aloud their responses to offers/asks, and then hand their note cards to the relevant person. Encourage people to follow up after the circle exercise is complete for more details.
- Repeat the process for each participant. Time will go by quickly – keep the conversation brisk and high-level.
Time / Topic / Detail
15 mins / Closing Comments & Dessert /
- Ask people who are really excited about help or support opportunities to share them with the group.
- Thank people for coming; encourage them to follow up with helpers/supporters.
- Remind people of upcoming events.
- Encourage people to enjoy dessert and connect with other participants – particularly those who offered to help you or whom you offered to help!
30 mins / Clean Up /
- Volunteers clean up space, collect left over materials, etc.