Evaluation Synopsis

‘Compassion in Action’ Feedback Form Summary 11-06_LG

 

MN – Met Needs / UN – Unmet Needs / 5 - High / 1 - Low

 

1	Overall Experience	IIIII III	IIIII III	IIII
	4.2 .

 

MN: efficiency {Open Space and other aspects of conference}; effectiveness {accomplishing the stated goals/objectives}

 

2	Accomodations	III	IIIII I	IIIII	II
	3.7 .

 

Location: MN: ease, beauty {easy to find, magnificent buildings & environs}

Rooms: MN: rest {delightful to have own}

UN: comfort, beauty, ease {barely adequate}; {small sheets, slippery mattress covers, thin blankets [I recom-

mend describing this in advance so participants can bring their own.]

 

3	Pre-Conference Logistics	IIIII III	IIIII IIII	I	II
	4.2 .

 

Communication & Correspondence: MN – {impressed, inspired}

Details: MN: preparedness {appreciation}

UN: {wasn’t on registry}; { I got confused with LP logistics and thought staying onsite was strongly suggested for

this one as well, hearing from one of the Kashtans when I got there that that was for LP mainly}

UN: ease, consideration, safety { when I separately inquired about mobility I was reassured, only to arrive and find out the site wasn’t workable for my needs. I almost left, but then the mills security team helped me to work out a solution.}

 

4	On Site Logistics	IIIII	IIIII IIIII	II	III
	3.9 .

 

Individual Locations: MN: {plenty of room}

UN: {a bit spread out} (3); connection, ease {prefer closer quarters}, {walking took time away

from other activities}; security, orientation {sugg: simpler map with buildings highlighted}

Mills College: MN: {loved it}

Grounds: MN: Opportunity to be outdoors, beauty {plant life, smells, old buildings, grass, etc}

Main Meeting Room: UN: quality water {cooler water had chlorine}; {coffee & tea would be appreciated}

Getting Food: UN: ease, rest, intimacy

Meals: UN: ease, rest, intimacy {in getting food}; {sugg: longer meal times}

 

5	The Open Space Structure	IIII	IIIII IIIII	IIIII I	I
	3.9 .

 

Open Space: MN: choice (2), clarity, organization, preparation, learning, effective over all {enjoyment}; efficiency; autonomy, networking; equality, creativity, mutuality; {do it again}; { I really made my own conference happen, so in a way I did what open space is designed to address – I had a “coffee break” conference}; thanks / UN – cohesion {not a sweet, intimate container}; connection {with self and others}; {at times, didn’t know what was going on}; { experiment with modified or new format, particularly if the goal is to advance CIA USA theme}; connection {sugg: more time for large group conversation, in larger or full group/s} (2): {would’ve enjoyed Fri evening connecting & starting Open Space and conference Sat morning}

Law of Two Feet: MN: {loved it}; freedom {enjoyment}

Topic Posting: MN: {liked that apx size was listed}

UN: {The folks who described their offerings first, got first pick at the times and locations. Others had

to 'take what was left'.  And, this happened before we really 'knew' the spaces we were choosing. Seemed like a "blind" choice}; reflection {Didn’t like listing everything at the start};

Sessions: UN: {sugg: longer}; {frustrating –several events I wanted to attend at same time}

 

6	Open Space Offerings	II	IIIII IIIII I	IIIII	I
	3.7 .

 

MN: diversity {people making offerings

MN / UN: mixed {some connection to theme, some not {I think that the open space format could work to support creating a plan of action if there is a clear request around the content of the offerings supporting the intention of the gathering and there is a time for harvesting and planning in the big group}

 

7	Time Spent in Large Group	III	I	IIIII I	IIII	II
	3.0 .

 

UN: connection {kind of time in large group} {too little} (8); meaningful time in large group {what was most missing for me}; connection with theme {in group & in sessions emerging}; { We had a small group on this and posted our suggestions in the summaries}; deep connection {sugg: games/mixers}; {wasn’t sure what was going on}

 

8	Playback Theater	IIIII III	IIII	IIIII	I
	4.2 .

 

MN: {high point}; evening entertainment {appreciation}; play, creativity; {terrifically inspiring –would like it again}; energy, sense of engagement with NVC & our group {bringing theater}

UN: {didn’t love the actual acting}; .{I wonder about connecting with local groups rather than having a group travel}

 

9	Access to Empathy	IIIII	IIIII II	III	I
	4.0 .

 

UN: {wish I’d partaken} (3); {I didn't avail myself of the empathy structure because I would have gone to people I already knew,.and yet I didn't find a natural gathering for doing so}; connection, self-connection, relationship building, sweet empathic connection {sugg: daily empathy dyads at start or end of day}; {would’ve like centrally located empathy café area} (2); { I saw this event more focused on networking and exploring ideas and potential projects than learning/practicing NVC}

 

10	Opportunity for Self Expression	IIIII II|||	IIIII		I	I
	4.3 .

 

MN: {I was surprised how much I ended up saying and getting heard in a couple of the small groups}

UN: contribution {wished to amend Open Space structure}

 

11	Sense of Community	IIIII II	IIIII	IIII	II	I
	3.8 .

 

MN / UN: 2 with large group, 4 with smaller groups}

MN: enjoyment; community, networking {thru the sessions}; so many people sharing passion {would’ve liked more focus on that}; connection with other trainers while not training; community expansion, learning, sharing space/time

UN: intimacy

 

12	Opportunity for Networking	IIIII IIII	IIIII I	II	I
	4.3 .

 

MN: {awesome chance with other trainers –much gratitude}; {thru the sessions}; {loved it & small group work}

UN: networking with new people {sugg: more group connection}

 

13	Focus on Compassion In Action in the USA	II	IIIII	III	III	IIII
	2.9 .

 

MN: clear focus { for some people, Compassion in Action means work on themselves personally and creatively}

UN: building our network { I believe a different structure focusing on the relationships, vision, sharing materials, etc. in the network would have met lots of needs}; focus {sugg: reminder each day}; clarity (2) & intention expressed { ie. is it for general sharing of ideas and networking or to create a plan of action}; purpose { I thought it was about creating a better organization in the USA for spreading NVC… including increasing training opportunities and marketing support, and contribution to planning of the Circle for NVC}; productivity {sugg: more focus on organization/process & less on training}; integrity {wished for more focus and commitment to action –if this was required or focused on, would like it put in the PR and advertising}; gentle encouragement and offer of support; coherent plan of action to promote the growth of NVC in the US

 

14	Food	II
	1.0 .

 

UN: {disappointment, nonorganic}: {I’d especially like to attend where the food is better. Someone said that the IIT venue in Santa Barbara is much better in terms of space and food.}; choice, integrity, support { Food did not meet my need for eating stuff without wheat or dairy. The registration materials said that the cafeteria people were used to accommodating different diets but I would say that was not accurate. The only veggie main dish was cheese and wheat}

 

……………………………………………………………………………………………………………...

 

 

{1.}    Would you share with us any feedback you’re drawn to give regarding any of the categories above. (Indicate to which item you’re referring.)

 

…all other responses are summarized above

 

 

{2.}    Would you share with us what most stands out as contributing to your needs getting met or not met as it relates to Compassion in Action.

 

MN: richness of available trainers; {highlight: the "spontaneous" sessions. Miki/Inbal/ Rita and the two videoed things Mary Mac and Marc did}; {lunch meeting: CIA caravan across the US}; learning about & connection with others with interest in facilitation; wide variety of NVC-related topics; connection (2), community (2) {down time between sessions to just talk}; diversity; ideas expansion, brainstorming {time with trainers while not working}

UN: concreteness of title & purpose {vague, amorphous} {sugg: keynote speaker to set stage}; ways to put our NVC tools into service to our country {sugg: apply “first empathize with ourselves and then with the opponent or other”!!!!}; {empathizing across cultural barriers}; integrity {sugg: focus on verifiability of M Rosenberg’s stories} ; welcome, comfort, guidance {wished for more formal welcome to and seeking out of newcomers!!!!} {lonely!!!}; inclusion, connection, community, autonomy, choice, self-expression {flexibility & openness around structure} {discomfort, disconnection, contraction}; cohesiveness & momentum toward project(s), united action on the political, social and cultural levels in the US; {choices conflict resulting in not being with people I wanted}

 

 

{3.}    Do Do you have any suggestions on structure or content for future USA gatherings?

 

I'd like to hear how it met or didn't meet the needs of the organizers.. dreamers.

Consider that ‘compassion in action’ is a strategy, not a need, and then to look at what needs we meet when we come together as a community.

1 day longer –ease in the schedule for group process and connection {wasn’t enough time to connect}.

Adding a structure for empathy “before” the space opens, or in mornings, might add to ease in relating, especially for new people.

NVC in the workplace.

Organization around several subthemes, including marketing, training support, strategic planning, and fund raising, perhaps using Open Space technology.

A meeting with a much smaller group of people who are clearly focused on the NVC USA Project and its success through process organization. Maybe word could be put out to nominate these people from each of the regional centers in the US?

More group connection: groups of 6-8 checking in at beginning, reporting to large group of emerging themes/energies.

Group connection and harvesting.

Scot Peck’s Community Building mode from “A Different Drum”, a facilitated group process for deepening connections.
My biggest “a-Ha” was the pain around the CNVC board and the greater community. There was great interest in creating a membership organization where the leaders represented the members. A workshop on this could be interesting and exciting.

 

{4.}    Any other comments?

 

Thanks for the email for connections.. Maybe I missed things because I stayed off campus..  Anyway. I feel very happy that I came. I had a relaxed chance to clear up some old stuff with a couple of people . It was easier to do it face to face...

Suggestions:

Table to put copies of books we found inspiring , so people could check them out

Time for individuals to announce impromptu offerings ongoing thru weekend (ie my Fantastic Elastic play sessions of 2 miuntes or more –energetic play and with elements of NVC consciousness kinesthetically.

A massage corner with floor mats, some pillows, a massage table for people to go there to do it or to  arrange exchange -maybe a special ID worn to indicate availability to exchange shoulder or foot rubs etc.-healing touch, joyful connection, well being !!
Group music and dance !!

Five or more days (just got started) –many different workshops and a big evening boogie -encourage people for what period of time works for them, 2 days or 7 days.

A camp where or like where NCDC meets –a huge swimming, canoeing pond and food is fabulous (they hire their own cooks) or Esalen -accommodates large groups and food and baths are wonderful, plus redwoods hiking and volley ball,…

More ease in electronically filling out feedback form.

Suggest people bring a sleeping bag, my own blanket or quilt -beds were awful.

Next time I would like to be able to host some of the out of town visitor’s so that, if they can come early and stay after, there is free accommodation for them, especially when they are spending several hundred on a plane ticket. And I imagine some of the local NVC folks would enjoy the Opportunity to offer space.
An afternoon meeting around "What is your dream for Compassion in Action?" and breaking into small groups of 6 for 30 minutes during which there are two timed go arounds then switching to a different group  and so on so that we get to be in small groups with a larger number of participants. (not thought through) –more playful connecting.

More sessions on how to build your local communities.

Encouragement for Session Notes written fleshed out, rather than brainstorm lists {for understanding, information and inspiration to action}.

Included in Session Notes, Outcome/Next Steps To Be Taken.

 

 

Thanks to Bay NVC for all you did to make this conference enjoyable for me and others. Much love to you all!!!

Deeply grateful for time/energy invested in organizing this gathering -many details attended, particularly the IT and much development in using various technologies to build the NVC community. I’m hopeful that we can have these kinds of events – with experimentation with format, structure, location, and purpose – on an anunal basis!

Thank you for all you have done to make this happen.

Much gratitude. Many kudos too..

Thank you all for this experience of joy and learning.
Thanks. My needs for learning and community and living NVC were met.

I’d like to acknowledge how hard the organizers worked. I got lots of stimulation, information, understanding, some Opportunity, play and connection.

Everything was wonderful –organized and satisfying.

I am filled with met needs, joy, connection and inspiration.

Wonderful venue, thought provoking, a glad Opportunity.

Written in topic for 1-5 scale rating: Getting Trainers Together to Talk About One Theme: Offering it as Training on the Web {RATED 6}

Written in topic for 1-5 scale rating: Organization of the event – WOW and double WOW {RATED 6}