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The purpose of the conference
was to create a vision of how the Department will have to function in the
Millennium. This vision will serve as the cornerstone for strategic planning
processes throughout the Department. Seventy people participated in the
conference, which was held at the Sugarbush Conference Center.
QUESTIONS AND
ANSWERS
What actually
happens at a future search conference?
Participants examine the "past"
and "present" of the organization. They propose a series of alternative
scenarios of the future visions they themselves are willing to make happen. The
whole conference then chooses a set of consensus goals and methods from the
collection of scenarios. Finally, the entire group generates and commits to action steps. Being at
a future search persuades people their fondest hope for the future can actually
come to pass. They wind up contributing more energy and staying power to the
follow-up. For more information, see the Web site of the professional
organization of Future Search Conference facilitators: www.futuresearch.net.
Who will be
invited to participate in this conference?
In order to chart out the best
possible future for organization or community, we need all relevant perspectives
represented. The planning committee will invite individuals from as many
"stakeholder groups" as possible. Within each one of these groups, we will try
to ensure as much diversity as possible. The people invited will be asked to
contribute their opinions and insights and to take action after the conference
to make a reality the vision for the future developed at the
conference
Why do participants
need to be there the entire two-and-a-half days?
The future search process is
carefully designed to help us understand our common past, examine trends
currently affecting us, and develop action plans for a future that we choose to
create. Every step in the process is critical. We need your commitment to
participate in the whole process.
What do participants have
to do?
We want
you to share your knowledge, insights, experiences, ideas and concerns for the
future. It will be up to you to determine what to share and what not to share.
Two experienced consultants facilitate the process we will be using, which is
called "future search." Future search has been used all over the world in
government departments, companies, nonprofit organizations and communities. It
is designed to allow everyone to contribute at a rate at which they are
comfortable.
What will be
the outcome of this process?
A clear direction for the future of
an organization or community and a set of actions to achieve that vision.
Because of the diverse nature of the stakeholder groups, and because they will
have worked together over two and a half days, and because they are the
architects of the plan, we expect the commitment to achieve the vision to be
much higher than traditional planning efforts. We can't say at this point what
direction this planning effort will take us; that will depend on where the group
of 64 finds common ground.
If someone is
invited and cannot come, can they send someone else to take their
place?
An
alternate will be selected by the planning committee.
Why isn't X
invited?
Obviously there are many people qualified and able to represent important
interests in planning our department's future. The future search process works
best with a maximum of 64 people, so the planning committee will select people
in the key stakeholder groups who represent the "whole system" we want to have
at the conference. |
