Charrettes

Charrettes generate tremendous energy. They bring together professionals who are experts in their fields creating strong partnerships among organizations and special interests. Most importantly this type of event can give community members the chance to see comprehensive plans and designs for an area. Make no mistake, charrettes take a lot of work to organize and orchestrate but we feel the effort is well worth the result. It can give a project a terrific jump-start to completion. More>>

Meetings

Say the word "meetings" and most people groan. With good reason: too often the meetings we attend are unfocused, unproductive, and uninspiring. They do not have to be that way. Having a good agenda (and following it), keeping track of the time, and minimizing tangents and sidebar conversations can all help. For a project team or task force who meet regularly, the best way to keep them involved is not to waste their time. Make the meetings interesting: vary formats, invite guest speakers, accomplish real work, serve refreshments, and have some fun. More>>

Open Space

The words "open space" most commonly refer to landscapes that are natural or free of human structures. So, too, is open space as a meeting technique: it is free from outsider intervention. Participants decide what to talk about, what decisions to make, and what actions to take. These reflect the community’s priorities; they are not necessarily the same as what we would have chosen. It does create a certain level of chaos, but with that can come exciting, passionate, energy all focused on a resource or project. More>>

Workshops

Workshops are a great opportunity to bring together a diverse audience and have them generate ideas, share and gather information and get work done. The mixture of large-group presentations and small-group interactive sessions allows for greater participation and encourages open dialogues. More>>

See also:
    Community Tool Box