Global Change Seminar "It's Your Move!"

Group Meeting Agenda
Segment #2 - Is Our Planet In Trouble?

          Here is the suggested Agenda for the second meeting of the Seminar Discussion Group.

1. Group Maintenance: Confirm that the assignments from the last meeting have been completed.
• Meeting notes prepared and distributed.
• Online Registration Forms completed and submitted.
• Online Feedback Forms for Segment #1 submitted.
• "To do's" (if any) from the last meeting completed as appropriate
• Facilitator and Recorder designated for this meeting
  
2. Individual Check Ins: Go round the room and each person checks in with the Group. We suggest using the Talking Stick if desired. This "Check In" process sets the stage at the beginning of each of the subsequent Group Meetings. During Check In, each person reflects on how they've progressed on their Seminar activities since since the last meeting. Everyone's responses are taken with essentially no discussion. For this Segment, the following Check In items are suggested:
   
   • What I most enjoyed about the articles and homework for this Segment was......
   • What I found hardest about the articles and homework for this Segment was.......
   • The aspect about our global situation that weighs on me the most is.....
   • A significant thing that I've done, or has occurred for me (or in my life) since we last met was....
   • The book I've selected to read while I'm doing the Seminar is.... and the reasons I picked it are....
     
3. Journal Reflection: In Round Robin fashion, give each person the opportunity to share from this Segment's Meeting Preparation and Journal work. Suggested unfinished statements to facilitate this are given below. The recorder might note the responses on newsprint, so that the overall group response to the statements can be viewed.
   
   • What most came to my attention from reading the Historical Perspectives article was......
   • What most grabbed my attention from reading the Urgent Global Problems article was......
   • What struck me most from reading the Perspectives on Change Seminar article and the C.S. Holing article from the homework was....
   • I find that filling out the Good News/Bad News item at the back of the Journal was......
   • The mode of thinking I tend to use most when confronted with a problem seems to be... and leads me to...
     
     
4. Scenario Development (i): Hold a discussion based on the questions/unfinished statements suggested below. We recommend using the discussion method whereby each person writes answers down individually, then shares their responses in round robin fashion. It will be helpful if the recorder notes salient points on the flip chart.
   
   • In response to our current situation, which collective human capacities do we think are likely to increase in intensity in the next decade? [Consider things like war, genocidal impulses, non-violent conflict resolution, ability to cooperate, terrorist strikes, technological innovation, materialism, environmentalism, desire to help, passivity, fundamentalism, literacy, fearfulness, hopefulness, empathy for the poor, healthy lifestyles, fertility rates, etc., etc. Come up with a list.]
     
   • In response to our current situation, which collective human behaviors do we think are likely to decrease in intensity in the next decade?
     
   • Of these, which collective behaviors are most likely to change in the near future--and if so how?
     
   
   
5. Scenario Development (ii): Hold a group discussion focusing on the issues set forth below. It will be helpful if the recorder notes salient points on the flip chart.
   
   • Which of the six scenarios developed by Gilberto Gallopín is most likely to come about--or if none of them, then is there another one that is more likely? If so develop details for it.
     
   • Which of the scenarios we've considered do we most prefer?
     
   • Can we develop some actions or happenings that move our most likely scenario towards the scenario we prefer? As a group brainstorm what kinds of things might be done to move things from the most likely scenario(s) toward the collectively most preferred scenario.
     
6. Additional Reflection (optional): Go round the group and have each person respond with:
   
            “After listening to the discussion so far, I'd like us to spend a bit more time today talking about......”
   
   Choose a focus to which there’s some general agreement and then spend as much time discussing it as is needed. See that everyone has a chance to provide input and be heard. Record points to remember on the flip chart as appropriate.
   
   
7. Logistics and Housekeeping :
• Confirm the schedule and assignments for the next meeting: (date/time/location, and responsibilities for meeting logistics, flip chart, facilitator, recorder, etc.)
  
• Reminder to complete and submit the online Feedback Form for Segment #2
  
• Reach agreement on who will prepare and distribute the notes recorded on the flip chart - these will be useful (and may be necessary) for reference in future discussions.
  
• Designate one person to check in by phone with all the others a few days before the next meeting to (1) remind them of the meeting details; (2) find out how they're doing in general and with the Seminar; (3) confirm that all agreed-upon to dos have been done; and (4) make sure they've submitted the Segment #2 Feedback Form.
  
  
8. Other Business: At this point, if the group has any additional matters that it feels should to be addressed then address them now.
   
   
9. Closing (Check Out): Request a round robin response from each person to these suggested (example) statements:
• What I most appreciated about how this meeting went was..................
• What I wish had been different about how this meeting went is.............
• For me this Segment could be improved if.........
• What I'm most pleased about from completing this Segment is....

Next: Feedback Form - Segment #2