The International Association of Facilitators invites you to submit a
proposal for the January, 1999 conference to be held in Williamsburg,
Virginia during January 14-17, 1999 at the Williamsburg Marriott Hotel and
Conference Center. The RFP text can be found at the IAF homepage at
www.iaf-world.org. To get a faxed copy of the required cover page contact
the IAF office at 612-891-3541 or iafoffice@igc.apc.org.
Conference 99 will provide an environment where participants experience
concrete learning, genuine sharing and spirited exchange of information
and ideas in all areas of facilitation. It will offer an opportunity to
further explore and develop the art and profession of facilitation:
unlocking the power of others through dialogue, searching for clarity and
motivation.
The Mission of IAF is to promote, support and advance the art and practice
of the profession of facilitation through methods exchange, professional
growth, practical research, collegial networking and support services.
Conference 99 will be a critical means for helping to fulfill this
mission.
Conference Theme
"The Art and Mastery of Facilitation: Weaving Heritage and Innovation" is
the theme of Conference 99. This theme reflects the challenging interface
between traditional face-to-face methods of dialogue and emerging new
approaches. Recent innovations in both tactile and electronic tools have
dramatically expanded the landscape of group facilitation. Will
facilitation practice be powerfully enhanced or hopelessly muddled by our
growing "technical" prowess? Where lies the delicate balance between "high
touch" and "high tech"?
"Weaving Heritage and Innovation" also speaks to the challenge of learning
from our pasts, embracing diversity and using our combined strengths to
meet personal, community and organizational goals. How can facilitative
processes help us to recognize and honor individual differences and move
us collectively forward?
Conference 99 will focus on six Threads of facilitation with which we will
weave our past knowledge and experience with new techniques, skills and
ideas.
Thread #1 - Systems Thinking will explore understanding complex systems,
facilitation of diverse perspectives and interconnections in complex
systems.
Thread #2 - Group Planning encompasses visioning and goal setting, action
planning, strategic planning, project management and computer-aided
planning issues and techniques.
Thread #3 - Teambuilding and Communication looks at diagnosing group
problems, facilitation of diverse groups, group development as well as
individual coaching and mentoring.
Thread #4 - Problem-Solving and Decision-Making includes idea generation
and evaluation, rootcause analysis, creative thinking, lateral and linear
problem-solving and computer-aided problem-solving and decision-making.
Thread #5 - Conflict Resolution and Mediation discusses conflict
prevention, group disagreement, alternative dispute resolution techniques
and mediation as incorporated into the work of facilitators.
Thread #6 - Professional and Self Development offers and opportunity to
explore personal growth and development, career planning and
entrepreneurship issues relative to the profession.
We invite you to submit a proposal for a preconference workshop,
conference concurrent session or think tank which addresses one or more of
the issues outlined under our Conference Threads.
IAF Presenter Policies
In keeping with our core value of inclusiveness, IAF is committed to
making our conference affordable. One way we accomplish this goal is by
not offsetting registration costs for presenters. All presenters must
register for the conference and are responsible for their own registration
costs. We hope this supports an atmosphere where everyone is an active
conference participant in addition to their other conference roles. To
register, call IAF at 612-891-3541.
Promotion of products or services is not acceptable in any of the
workshops or sessions. An exhibit area and bookstore is available
throughout the conference for these purposes. We encourage you to use
these venues to inform participants about your business, organization,
products, publications or services.
--"GREG BRITTINGHAM" <GBRITTINGHAM@dhcd.state.va.us>
Learning-org -- Hosted by Rick Karash <rkarash@karash.com> Public Dialog on Learning Organizations -- <http://www.learning-org.com>