Thursday,
December
1
Opening Night Site only:
Saint
Paul's United Methodist Church
405
S. 10th Street, San Jose, CA (see
map)
On-Site Registration
and Check-in Opens at 4:30 pm
ETO CONFERENCE
OPENING and EVENTS
6:30 pm - 9:30 pm
Greeting, Mission, Announcements
Steve Olweean
Keynote and Special Acknowledgement:
Huston Smith
Keynote:
Marita Gruzden
All-Conference
Interactive Dialogue Experience
To
begin the process of interacting and building the
conference learning community
Jeff Richardson
Introduction of OptionFinder Interactive Voting
and Tracking System
used
to assist in identifying
and tracking emerging priority issues,
choices, and directions throughout
the 3 1/2 days of the conference
leading to focused action planning
and practical applications beyond
the conference
Chris Bui
Friday,
December
2
(Site:
Benson Center,
Santa Clara University)
Morning
Yoga Session
8:15 - 9:00 am
(bring your own floor mat)
Gabriella Yates
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
A
Workshops
and Roundtables
Morning 9:30 - 11:00 am
A 1:
"Nonviolent
Communication Based Mediation"
This workshop session offersa demonstration, and questions & answers
regarding Nonviolent Communication.
Mair Alight, Lisa Montana
____________________________________________
A 2:
"Accessing
The Trust Frequency: 10 Assumptions For A New Paradigm"
New Mind. New World. A unique perspective
on humanity’s interconnectedness with each other and all life in
an abundant, loving universe. Examine core beliefs and become loving
and compassionate. Discover “Top-Line Economics”
Format: Presentation, Contemplation, Discussion.
Connie Baxter Marlow, Andrew Cameron Bailey
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
B
Workshops
and Roundtables
Afternoon 11:15 am - 12:45 pm
B 1:
"Engaging
Games - Transform Your Learning Program With Impactful Experiential
Activities"
Explore some alternative approaches
to surfacing key issues and emotions while strengthening connections
within your group. We'll share some of our favorite games and activities
in addition to discussing debrief strategies to make it easier to incorporate
these impactful learning tools into your programs.
Jeff Richardson
____________________________________________
B 2:
"Let's
Get Real About Racism"
Examine the fears and stereotypes preventing
us from having truly open and authentic conversations and relationships.
Explore through guided questions what people of color can't say and
whites are afraid to ask. Learn to effectively and compassionately communicate
cross-culturally.
Lee Mun Wah
~
Lunch ~
12:45 - 2:00 pm
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
C
Workshops
and Roundtables
Afternoon 2:00 - 3:30 pm
C 1:
"Marginalized
Youth: Special Needs and At-risk Youth in Schools and Community as the
'Other' "
Jehan Olweean, Deborah
Simon
____________________________________________
C 2:
"The
Soliya Program And Other Models To Engage The Other In The Middle East"
We will bring together some of the students engaged in the Soliya
course at San Jose State University to demonstrate some of the skills
needed to engage in this type of UN sponsored program. We plan to include
participants in the Soliya program located in the Middle East via Skype.
Gerald Grudzen, Mohamed Qayoumi, Johanna Koudsi,
Awad Awad, Larry Harris, Andrew Ridley, Emily Thurbon
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
D
Facilitated
Dialogue Groups
(Conference-wide break-out groups)
Afternoon 3:45 - 5:15 pm
(All participants self-select one of several concurrent dialogue
groups)
Opportunity for all participants to engage in open agenda
dialogues to process the conference, share learning, explore concepts
and related issues, network, and brainstorm practical applications and
collaboration. Dialogue groups are viewed as the engines of the conference
experience where collaboration and application most emerge. In
addition to facilitators, scribes in each group record content highlights.
Information is compiled and posted to CBI's web blog, allowing participants
an evolving overview of what is brewing in the community from day to
day to promote deeper dialogue as the conference progresses. The information
is also included in conference proceedings and outcomes, and utilized
for future cooperation and planning.
~
Dinner ~
5:15 - 7:00 pm
_______________________
6:30 - 7:00 Speaker: James Harrington
Presentation
of OptionFinder
Interactive Conference Voting
and Strategic Tracking System
7:00 - 8:00 pm
A highly interactive voting and tracking process, woven
throughout the entire conference beginning with our Thursday night opening.
This process utilizes OptionFinder, a proven, integrated mechanisms
for real-time input from both on-site participants and those joining
us virtually to assist in identifying emerging priority issues, choices,
and directions, leading to focused action planning at the end of the
3 1/2 day dialogue and deliberation experience on Sunday for practical
applications beyond the conference.
Chris Bui
Evening Social
Gathering
8:00 - 9:00 pm
LAP-In to wrap up the day and consider intentions
for the next. This is a time we can all be in one circle together and
share some surprises and insights, some laughter and possibilities before
closing out the day and heading off to sleep
Max Gail, Chris Kaul
Saturday,
December
3
Morning
Yoga Session
8:15 - 9:00 am
(bring your own floor mat)
Gabriella Yates, MA
PLENARY
ROUNDTABLE
E
Morning 9:30 - 11:15 am
"Exploring Grassroots Commonalities and
Empowerment: Occupy WS, Tea Party, Coffee Party, and Arab Spring"
We are witnessing several major grassroots civic movements emerging
organically across the country and globe in recent years and months,
some among communities typically portrayed in the image of "Other."
Almost by default these movements are often portrayed and viewed as
unrelated phenomenon by "other" groups, or in comparing them
in contrast as opposing efforts. Playing into over emphasizing or inadvertantly
even fabricating differences, and using them to undermine and invalidate
each, can miss seeing a possible larger picture where commonalities
may outweigh actual differences, and if so present unique and powerful
opportunities for solidarity in areas where they agree. This dialogue
among individuals with insights and strong links into each movement
will explore this larger picture and the possibilities that may be emerging
for mutual support and benefit.
David Korten, Debilyn Molineaux, Mohamed
Amira, Scott Shock
Moderator: Steve
Olweean
(5 minute OptionFinder Check-in)
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
F
Workshops
and Roundtables
11:30 am - 1:00 pm
F-1: "Integrating
Dialogue & Action"
How many times have dialogues become kumbaya moments full
of feel-good energy that lead to little action or no impact? In this
session, we'll use a short film clip (9500 Liberty) to demonstrate what
happens when a community uses dialogue AS action, reversing a newly-enacted
immigration policy within a matter of weeks. Then we'll engage with
session members to explore how this can happen in real time and other
situations, like Coffee Party USA's Citizens Lobby or examples from
participants.
Debilyn Molineaux, Eric Byler
____________________________________________
F-2: "The
Gulen (Hizmet) Movement"
This session
focuses on The Gulen (Hizmet) Movement, a transnational civic society
movement inspired by the teachings of Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah
Gulen. Gulen's faith based teachings, especially the notion of hizmet
(altruistic service to "common good") have attracted a large
number of supporters in Turkey and increasingly in other parts of the
world. Panelists will examine: 1) The movement's schools and activities
in education and interfaith (intercultural) dialogue in embracing the
other", 2) The role of women in the movement's activities, and
3) the Construction of The "Other" in Fethullah Gulen's Thought.
Huseyin Aytug, Nihal Sahan, Ozgur Koca
____________________________________________
F-3: "White
on White: Tempering Passion With Humility When Engaging The Other"
We invite participants to re-examine
personal experiences with difficult conversations about racism or white
privilege. Using questions that support critical self-reflection, participants
explore how personal needs can interfere with their good intentions
of engaging the other with compassion while striving to interrupt racism
and privilege.
Elizabeth Kasl, Linda Sartor, Alec MacLeod,
Doug Paxton, Penny Rosenwasser, Carole Barlas
~
Lunch ~
1:00 - 2:15 pm
(5 minute OptionFinder Check-in)
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
G
Workshops
and Roundtables
Afternoon 2:15 - 3:45 pm
G-1: "Turning
Towards The Necessary Conversation: Otherness And The Organizational
Shadow"
This workshop will address the issue
of how organizations and communities harm their members. Through an
examination of cases, demonstration and experiential processes we will
learn how to recognize the signs and engage with the paradox of virtue
and malignancy in well intentioned organizations.
Maureen O'Hara,
Aftab
Omer
____________________________________________
G-2: "Story
As Entry To Dialogue And Social Change"
"An enemy
is one whose story we have not heard." War's end begins with Story
and compassionate listening to discover the “other's” humanity.
Diverse exemplars share personal narratives with quality communication.
Participants in pairs experience new, rare listening-to-learn and take
home communication tools to pass on.
Len Traubman, Libby Traubman
____________________________________________
G-3: "Living
Room Conversations Fish Bowl"
The Living Room Conversations Project
(LRC) has demonstrated that people with diverse views can come together,
as friends and friends of friends, to engage in a self-guided structured
conversation about a charged issue. -Each conversation hosted by “progressive”
and “conservative” co-hosts. Each host invites two of their
friends to join the conversation. Join us for an abbreviated LRC about
money in politics.
Joan Blades, Amanda Kathryn Roman, and guests
CONCURRENT
SESSIONS
H
Facilitated
Dialogue Groups
(Conference-wide break-out
groups)
Afternoon 4:00 - 5:30 pm
(All participants self-select one of multiple dialogue groups)
(* See full description in SESSION
D)
~
Dinner ~
5:30 - 7:00 pm
(5 minute OptionFinder Check-in)
EVENING PLENARY
ROUNDTABLE
I
7:00 - 8:45 pm
"Conscious Choices: Defining Each Other
As Opponents Or A More Inclusive Us?"
Following up from the morning roundtable exploring both commonalities
and differences between 4 major grassroots social change movements,
a dialogue between those with insights and strong links into these movements
more specifically addressing two possible routes (and choices) before
us: one toward polarization, fragmentation, and being pitted "against,"
with a resulting of undermining, and one toward commonality, mutual
support, and shared grassroots empowerment. What are the benefits, trade-offs,
and challenges, and what will it take to share a bigger picture?
David Korten, Eric Byler, Michele St. Pierre, Mohamed Amira, et el
Moderator: Steve
Olweean
(5 minute OptionFinder Check-in)
Evening Social
Gathering
8:45 - 9:45 pm
LAP-In to wrap up the day and consider intentions for the
next. This is a time we can all be in one circle together and share
some surprises and insights, some laughter and possibilities before
closing out the day and heading off to sleep
Max Gail, Chris Kaul
Sunday,
December
4
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
J
Workshops
and Roundtables
Morning 9:30 - 11:00 am
J-1: "Hawo's
Dinner Party: Using Film To Break Down Stereotypes And Build Community"
This workshop will use "Hawo's Dinner Party," a video resource
about a Somali former nurse -now refugee- making her way in a small
rural town. The interactive discussion focuses on the role good character-driven
stories can play in engaging multiple perspectives, resolving conflict
and sparking dialogue that moves people to action
Sahar Driver
____________________________________________
J-2:
"Negotiating
Peace in Israel/Palestine in Hour and a Half"
Understanding conflict
is important. Knowing how to constructively engage in dialogue through
use of negotiation/mediation techniques is also necessary. This workshop
will provide basic overview of this practice. Focusing on the Israeli
Palestinian conflict, participants will enter into dialogue through
simulation, negotiating for a possible resolution to the conflict
Lejla Mavris
CONCURRENT SESSIONS
K
Workshops
and Roundtables
Morning 11:15 am - 12:45 pm
K-1: "Exploring
Possibility: A Legacy - My Chat With A Nazi"
Let the story, A Legacy
- My Chat with a Nazi; a conversation between a woman of African origin
and a Nazi carry you to that place where we meet as One. Engage in possibility;
explore your own willingness to open your heart to the other.
Deborah Simon
____________________________________________
K-2:
"The
Rise of the Youth Movement in The Middle East"
Omar Al-Tal, Leen Halawani
~
Lunch ~
12:45 - 1:45 pm
ALL
CONFERENCE DIALOGUE, SYNTHESIZING,
AND PLANNING
FOR APPLICATION AND NEXT
STEPS:
BRINGING THE CONFERENCE
HOME
1:45 am - 3:30 pm
Utilizing
OptionFinder - processing the full conference experience, voting and
tracking report of central issues emerging, integraton and action planning,
networking for cooperation and practical application beyond conference,
mechanisms for staying engaged, affirmations, feedback & recommendations,
closing circle and farewell. ETO
Closing
FACILITATORS
not Listed Above
Maida
Besic Teresa Johansing
Special
Features of the
2011 ETO Conference
Daily
Facilitated Dialogue Break-out Groups
Live
2-way Global Links to other countries
OptionFinder Interactive
Voting and Tracking System
On-site Live streaming,
Podcasting, Blogging
Morning
Yoga Session
Intentional
Cross-Cultural Community
Guidelines
For Compassionate Dialogue
The
ETO Conference strives to promote an inclusive, compassionate dialogue
that honors different personal experiences, perspectives, and narratives,
while allowing for better expressing and listening to each other as
we work together toward understanding and harmony. Our intention is
to create an open venue where we can engage meaningfully and invite
in a public dialogue that brings our joint wisdom to bear in exploring
sometimes difficult issues that effect us all. This is based on the
premise that it does not require that we be the same to be appreciative
of, at peace with, and secure in our relationships with each other;
only that we be familiar enough with each others story to share the
humanity and trustworthiness that resides in each of us.
We ask all participants to assist us by carrying and expressing this
intent throughout the conference.
NonViolent Communication Guidelines:
(Adapted from Marshall Rosenberg)
Unique Assumptions—NVC begins by assuming that we are
all compassionate by nature and that violent strategies—whether
verbal or physical—are learned behaviors taught and supported
by the prevailing culture. It also assumes that we all share the same,
basic human needs, and that all actions are a strategy to meet one
or more of these needs.
While NVC is much more than a communication model, the components
below provide a structural concept of the process that leads to giving
and receiving from the heart.
Honestly Expressing how I am and what I would like without
using blame, criticism or demands
Empathically Receiving how another is and what he/she would
like without hearing blame, criticism or demands
Whether expressing or receiving, NVC focuses our attention on four
pieces of information:
Observations—Objectively describing what is going on
without using evaluation, moralistic judgment, interpretation or diagnosis
Feelings—Saying how you feel (emotions and body sensations)
about what you have observed without assigning blame
Needs—The basic human needs that are or not being met
and are the source of feelings
Requests—Clear request for actions that can meet needs
