Originally sent on October 10, 2023

Hi Barb,

BANG!  Daryl opened our recent conference session "Beyond Bob: Alternatives to Robert's Rules" by pounding a water bottle on the podium.

He launched into a short parody of misusing Robert's Rules to ram an unpopular proposal through to approval before participants even knew what was happening.

After briefly reviewing the pros and cons of Robert's Rules, we led the group through four legitimate alternatives to Robert's structured discussions -- all in one hour. 

Even though our session was late on the last conference day, the participants left feeling energized to implement their own ideas for how to modify or drop using Robert's Rules. 

Curious about how we did all that in only 1 hour? 

Find out on Monday, November 6th at noon US central time for a live and online version of this popular conference session. Details are in the "Courses and Resources" section below. 

I hope to see YOU at one of our offerings soon!

BANG! Email story adjourned!

Warmly,

Barb Bickford

If an event has already occurred, the links in this email may not work. Questions? Contact Barb.

Beyond Bob - Practicing Alternatives to Robert's Rules -- Monday November 6, noon central time

In this online session, we'll explore the pros and cons of Robert's Rules and identify ways to begin shifting your meetings towards more collaboration and inclusiveness. Come prepared to contribute to a conversation unpacking the essential elements of facilitating open and inclusive decision-making at the committee and board level. We'll practice alternatives you can use even if your bylaws require using Robert's Rules. Together, we will explore governance frameworks that invite every member to fully participate in your organization's vision, values, purpose, and practice.

Register by taking this very short survey which will help us shape the course to your needs, and by entering your email address at the end.

If you aren't registering, you are also welcome to take the survey and you can be anonymous.

Clean Language and Servant Leadership, October 20, 8:30 to 10 AM central time

Servant leaders seek to lead by providing strong support to their employees. Above all, servant leadership involves listening. Clean Language provides questions and a way of asking them that enable leaders to better listen to what their people are saying and needing. 

I'm guiding a second introductory session on Clean Language for the UW Madison Servant Leadership community of practice on Friday October 20th. Anyone interested in Clean Language or servant leadership is welcome. Reply to this email and I'll send you the link when it becomes available.

Clean Language for Facilitators

Clean Language offers something remarkable, even for experienced group facilitators. I'll be assisting with this course offered by Judy Rees and Steve McCann on Nov 7, Nov 21 and Dec 11.  Times: 7 AM to 11 AM, US central time. Learn more and register here.

Deep Listening – infusing empathy at home, at work and in the church -- Nov 13 - Dec 11

During the holidays, arguments can strain relationships. But we can change by learning to listen actively with respect, humility and curiosity. In five one-hour sessions you will learn simple questions in short bursts of instruction and considerable practice in listening. Course sessions are on five Monday evenings (6:30 PM central time) from November 13 - December 11.

Please reply to this email if you would like to receive the registration link when it becomes available. The course will be on the Damascus Project Network, a shared educational ministry of the United Church of Christ (UCC).  You do not need to be a member of the UCC to join this course.

Washington DC Liberating Structures user group

Want to experience and experiment with Liberating Structures with a group of lively folks? We generally meet on the second Wednesday evening (US time) of the month. Learn more and sign up here.

My current workshops and courses

We are planning more courses on leading better meetings, listening and clean language, and quick and fun planning in 2024-- stay tuned!

Recent Blog posts

-- Beyond Bob: Why we should consider alternatives to Robert's Rules
-- Brush up on your meeting preparation
-- Listening skills are rooted in curiosity

Another way to move beyond Robert's Rules

In my last email, we talked about how you can suspend Robert's Rules. 

Robert's Rules are really good for doing Task Work, such as receiving reports, solving problems, and making decisions.  They are not so good for what Paul Tevis calls Maintenance Work. 

Maintenance Work is: 

• reflection -- thinking retrospectively and usually silently
• repair -- revisiting previous decisions when you have new information 
• rule changing -- figuring out how to work better together, either by suspending Robert's Rules temporarily or permanently.

During your meetings, take time to review what happened in the past and take care of things that will help you work better in the future.  It will save you time in the long run.

For more insight on this, read this article by Paul Tevis. He nails it!

Want more tips? Access Ten Tips to Foster Online Engagement.

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