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Overview
Large Group Intervention" (LGI) is a label that is applied to many different methods of getting a crowd to come to consensus. Several of these methods have achieved name recognition, and have been applied to groups ranging from neighborhoods to engineering organizations. Each method has its staunch advocates, making it difficult to choose between them.
As an introduction, Brian Egan will present a short comparative survey of several of the better-known methods, including Future Search Conference, Real Time Strategic Change, The Search Conference, and Open Space Technology. He will then describe how a formulaic application of an LGI technology (Future Search) did not go as intended: While the planning process went very well, the culture and collective personalities of the participants required some substantial real-time course corrections. Brian will discuss the learnings that came from both the planning process and the conference redesign, and will offer some hints on how to help your own intervention meet the needs of your client.
Speaker
Brian Egan is the principal of Clarity, based in Corvallis, Oregon. Brian's unique combination of engineering and human-relations experience provides a holistic approach to resolving today's business problems. Clarity specializes in helping small- to medium-sized for-profit and non-profit groups to find and achieve their own exceptional futures. Brian gained much of his practical expertise in organizational evolution during 26 years with the Hewlett-Packard Company. He was a project manager specializing in training, communication, and process improvement, and for the final five years, an internal OD consultant. Brian has extensive experience with international and cross-cultural teams and fostering workforce diversity.
Brian holds a Master of Science in Organization Development (MSOD) from Pepperdine University, a Bachelor of Science in Computer Engineering, and a certificate in mediation from OSU. Brian rounds out his professional life by working for numerous charities, mediating for the Linn and Benton County small claims courts, painting watercolors, performing on bass guitar and string bass, and playing with his two grandchildren.
Handouts
The following materials are in Adobe Acrobat (.pdf) format.
Monthly Book Exchange
Members have asked to host a book / materials exchange as part of the monthly program. There will be a table set up for this exchange beginning at 6 pm. Bring those dusty books and papers and trade them for another's favorites!
Details
Meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month, from 6:45 - 8:15 PM at Gourmet Stuft Pizza, 4200 Mercantile Drive, Lake Oswego, OR (map), (503) 635-1313.
Networking is encouraged, so come early -- say 6 PM -- for some delightful conversation with colleagues!