Facilitation Myths & Misses with Ian Colley | Monday October 09, 2017 | 5.30pm

This October is the 100th  year anniversary of the communist revolution in Russia. 2017 is also the 50th anniversary of the Summer of Love, San Francisco.  Whatever one’s views on both events, it is clear that the emancipatory, utopian aspirations which fuelled these different movements have not been realised. Most facilitators are hard-wired for optimism and are nourished by principled commitment to full and open participation. We believe that authority is vested in all, that diversity should be respected, that each human being is fundamentally good-willed, and that the future can be shaped mindfully, through open dialogue.  We believe that a facilitator’s listening is more transformative than our talking. We thought that Margaret Mead said “A small group of people can change the world. Indeed it is the only thing that ever has.” What if we are wrong? What are the myths we work with and live by? Myths that we have left unexamined? What are your Facilitation myths? Come and test them next Monday.  As always, we will do this in a playful, creative and meaningful way….or will we?

About Ian Colley Ian Colley is a facilitator of change and learning projects.  These mostly deal with ‘tricky’ issues – building common ground between diverse interests, solving problems, leading difficult conversations, creating clarity about uncertain futures (isn’t it all uncertain). Over 20 years in consulting, Ian has led hundreds of projects in business, government and community settings. He has chaired a number of community liaison committees – for Barangaroo Development Authority, NSW Ports, Orica, Taralga Wind Farm.  Ian also teaches facilitation and leadership at the University of Technology (since 2005). Ian’s current focus is on the possibilities (and limits) of dialogue.  He is passionate about teaching facilitation – helping other professionals stretch these skills in their everyday practices. Venue: [We will be at UTS] University of Technology Sydney (UTS), Jones Street, Ultimo corner Thomas Street. Room 5.580 Level 5, Building 10, Take the lift to level 5, cross the atrium footbridge, walk straight ahead to room 580. Time: From 5:30pm to 7:30pm sharp | No RSVP - Just turn up | Donation $5 Enquiries | Eoin Higgins  eoin.p.higgins@gmail.com ; 0407 411 684 Call for Guest Facilitators: If you have an idea or know someone who has an idea for a session at a Facilitators Network meeting in please contact Eoin Higgins 0407 411 684 eoin.p.higgins@gmail.com