Session B2 - ARPA 2009 Conference

1. Two approaches to community change. Theme reframing can lead to exciting
improvements in quality of life and economic
Problem Solving Appreciative Inquiry
deficit-based change strength-based innovation growth.
• Have pain or feel need • Value and gain understanding • “Arts and culture are luxuries to be developed and funded
• Identify problems of the best of what exists
after pipes, policing, and potholes”
• Conduct root cause analysis • Envision what is or might be in
• Analyze possible solutions the future? • Is the topic about culture as a luxury?
• Develop an action plan • Dialogue and design what • “Arts and culture activities and industries are drivers of a
should be in the future.
• Implement “Treatment”
• Create what will be.
creative economy which result in outstanding quality of
life, prosperity, safety, and which has the capability of
Community has Community is transforming our community.”
PROBLEMS. INNOVATIVE.
Community is a problem to be Community is a web of
solved. It’s a structure to be strengths with infinite capacity,
fixed. infinite imagination. It’s alive.
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2. Losada’s Research
Basic beliefs about community change
Business Teams
• What we focus on becomes our reality.
HIGH PERFORMING LOW PERFORMING
• Reality is created in the moment, and there are multiple
realities.
+ 6:1 ratio of positive– 1:3 ratio: one positive
(strength-based and statement in the • Every community, organization, or team has aspects that
opportunity) focused team for every three work well and are life-giving.
dialogue to negative deficiency focused
(deficiency focus) statements. • People have more confidence and comfort to journey into the
dialogue. future when they carry forward awareness of previous
success and positive feelings.
+ 2:1 ratio of inquiry 1:20 ratio: one inquiry • The mode and language of inquiry affects the community
(learning focused (open-learning type being observed.
questions) versus questions) for every
advocacy (closed twenty remarks
positions) type based on advocacy.
conversation.
Let’s try it out!
How do we get to an • Think about a time in your life when you
were most engaged or felt most alive –
understanding? one of the experiences that defined you as
a person. One which you’ll never forget
and which you often go back to as
important and powerful for you.
Compelling images
• Does it stretch, challenge, or interrupt the status
quo?
• Are there examples that illustrate the ideal as
real possibility?
Making Connections • If it could be fully actualized, would the
community want it? Do you want it as a
preferred future?
• It is stated in affirmative and bold terms?
Discovering how thoughts are • Does it provide guidance for the Red Deer’s
interrelated, lead to powerful future as a whole?
creativity and new approaches. • Would many people want to participate?
• Does it stimulate intergenerational/community
learning?
• Is it good for the community, the individual, and
the environment?
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3. Questions?
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