Effective Meetings
Visions Of Our Future
Objectives:
- to experience a creative approach to developing and choosing a desired vision of the future
- to identify alternative techniques for developing future vision
Time it takes
- 30 minutes
What you Need
- Paper and pens
How it's Done
- Inform participants that they now will have the opportunity for a special individual experience which builds on the review and identification of the critical issues and needs which they completed. Have them put aside pens and make themselves as comfortable as possible. If setting and atmosphere permit, you may choose to move to more comfortable seating or to cushions on the floor.
In a soothing voice, encourage personal relaxation: e.g. close your eyes move and rotate head, shoulders, clench and relax hands, legs, feet, breath deeply. Maintaining a soothing and encouraging tone, guide them on a fantasy trip. Suggest 'you are being lifted up and are flying three or four years into the future. You can see change, hear conversations, see through walls Think about what you would like to see your organization doing then ... what would it be involved in, committed to, providing or having an impact on. Imagine a vision of your organization that makes you proud What do you see .. who do you see... where are they... what are they doing.. what are they saying .. how do people feel?..."
Invite them to hold the vision in their mind and gradually return them to the present... Tell them "open your eyes, pick up your pen, and write about the images in your mind, beginning with "I see..."
Allow five to seven minutes for both the trip and vision writing.- Regroup participants into small organizational-groups. Ask them to share their visions and then choose the one which they feel best addresses their purpose, analysis and needs.
- In plenary, share a vision, eg. "I see a crowded room with many women busily working on plans in small groups. The atmosphere is one of Excitement and purpose." or "I see young girls and women learning to read in a room of their own close to the market." Invite groups to share their chosen vision.
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