Invitation as basis for Self-organising Communities
Document Actions
Session
Host: Lesley Williams
______________________________________________________________________
The
intention of hosting the session was to test Lesley’s assumptions on the impact
of an invitation on various forms of self-organizing communities.
Each
participant in the session told stories of a time when they felt truly invited
into a space to the extent where they had a sense of belonging carrying with it
a shared identity.
It was
understood that when being invited into a group or approaching the group;
inclusion occurs when communication is dually accepted. The invitee naturally
senses their appropriateness of being there and if this is believed; will be
pulled into going beyond their known capability. Integration into the group is
supported by an induction or mentoring into a role or mere knowledge of the
community. Support them to harness their power more effectively.
A power
dynamic may influence the acceptance of an invitation. The weight of the
invitation may be influenced by the knowledge of the person extending it. In a true
community where the leadership role is polarized, all members are empowered to
extend an invitation to inclusion. Leaflets and general invitations are
impersonal; the voice behind it is more effective.
The
invitation sets the scene of a community, carries the intention and nurtures
the seeds for creativity. It acts as a filter to either include or exclude
people. As we travel in relationship of our language; we should choose basic
language to make it assessable and thereby avoid jargon. Basic principles of
communication should be applied i.e. the personal state/ability of the
recipient to perceive the invitation. An awareness of who feels alienated by
the invitation is required; stating the intention in various ways may support
people in feeling invited.
Infrastructure
to support the invitation is required. Once the intention is set and invitation
extended; the convener and members need to agree to let go and have the
community grow in the direction of something new that could be emerging.
Fluidity is required for this to evolve into a natural organism and
sustainability is increased by replicating the processes in nature.
Apathy to
communal participation should not be assumed. There is often too much
information that is undirected. People are connected to where they can bring
their skills, see their role and be the change. Dissonance could be avoided
though specific invitations being extended.
Conclusion:
the role of an invitation is subtle but vital to the effectiveness of a
self-organizing community.
News from Pioneers of Change - SEPTEMBER 2007
LJ on Democracy - Mexico and Cuba - Dec 2008
