Many of us are looking for new ways to work in purposeful, authentic collaboration in our communities.

The Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter (also known as the Art of Participatory Leadership) training offers simple and powerful participatory models, processes and practices to work with others through complexity, uncertainty and change. 

We warmly invite you to join us for this 3-day training event in Gunnedah - where collaboration is alive, and more important than ever.

Together we will discover how we can create and host spaces for collaboration that generates wise action - in our organisations, communities, businesses and families. 

• Download the invitation
• For information and to register  www.artofhostinggunnedah.weebly.com 

​We look forward to welcoming you

In an era of increasing complexity and big challenges, many of us are looking for new ways to engage in respectful conversations that generate deep collaboration and thoughtful action.

The Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter training offers simple and powerful participatory practices, patterns and processes. 

These approaches have been used effectively in government, non-government and community contexts worldwide to enable the inclusion of diverse perspectives for better outcomes.

We warmly invite you to join us for a 3-day training event in the heart of the Australian capital - the centre of decision-making for this big, beautiful land. 

Together we will discover how we can create and host spaces for collaborative conversations that generate wise action - in our institutions, organisations, communities and families.

WHAT WILL WE LEARN AND PRACTISE?

• Simple and powerful social tools such as Circle, World Café, Appreciative Inquiry, Open Space Technology, Designing for Wiser Action, storytelling and more
• Complementary models and frameworks including complexity theory and practice, and new organisational forms
• Authentic presence and leadership, and working with emergence
• Real world application.

WHO IS IT FOR?

• Anyone and everyone who wants to explore the power of collective creativity, intelligence, and collaboration with each other and within their communities
• Department leaders, policy officers, and program managers
• Business leaders, social entrepreneurs, community and non-profit leaders, community organisers and teams
• Next generation leaders and other young activists
• Politicians and policy advisors​

​

Update: 12 January 2018

The hosting team for the second Australian Art of Hosting practitioner gathering, planned for 8-11 February in Ballina, has made a decision to postpone, for now.

We sat in deep conversation, and in silence, and we asked those who had shown interest. Together we sense that the timing is not right. It’s a decision not taken lightly, and we have learned a great deal over the past 6 months of planning, connecting and inviting. Sometimes things don’t always flow the way we want, and at this time, it hasn’t. Alternative dates were tough to find.

We’ve been in practice together, and hold onto the intention of creating spaces for practitioners to gather, connect, share and practice. We are hopeful that a new call and team will emerge to host a gathering at a later time - and we may join! For now though, we will not be going ahead.

We look forward to seeing you all sometime again soon.

If you have any questions, please get in touch with Frank 0407 120 064  frank@purposepartners.com.au or Michelle 0400 578 662 michelle@jeder.com.au

Take a look at the invitation and harvest from the 2016 gathering for some inspiration for our next one - whenever that may be. 

Warmly, Frank Martin, Moze Cozier, Michelle Dunscombe, Mel Geltch, Kerry Hartigan and Helen Rawlinson

In Australia this Spring, there are many opportunities to learn, deepen our practice and connect with other practitioners of The Art of Hosting and being more human together. We hope to see you somewhere! 

7-11 September
Northern NSW
The Circle Way Practicum retreat with Amanda Fenton, Tenneson Woolf and Penny Hamilton​.
www.thecirclewayaustralia.com
Only a couple of spots left

​Saturday 16 & Sunday 17 September
Brisbane QLD
How can we use our power consciously for meaningful action?
How can we restore balance and centre to act wisely and courageously in the world? ​
You are invited to a weekend dojo to connect and practice with other warriors of the heart, led by Toke Paludan Moeller. If you are a leader of any background, in service of others – this weekend is an opportunity to be of service to yourself – to refuel and strengthen clarity and heart, to continue your work in the world.
Bring together the principles and practices of Aikido basics as a stimulus for conversation & reflection, and apply the Flow Game to seed wise action
Information: www.wohaustralia.weebly.com
Register: complete this online form
Contact: Robin Payne robin10payne@gmail.com 0422 003 547

19 & 20 September
Brisbane QLD
The art of preparing the field for powerful collaboration
You're invited to a two-day intensive training in the practice of Groundwork - 'the third juggling ball of the Art of Hosting Conversations that Matter' - to build our shared capacity to collaborate more effectively and with more powerful results. 
It uncovers the foundations of powerful team work and explores practices that support people to self-organise and do their best work together.
We will apply the Groundwork framework to projects and initiatives you are already working with. Come as an individual, or a team!
Team: Toke Paludan Moeller, Mel Geltch, Pam Burley, Moze Crozier, David Newell

• Find out more & register  

• Learn more about Groundwork   
• If you already know that you want to come, register now 

When was the last time a powerful question changed your life?
26 & 27 September 2017
Brisbane QLD
Register now to dive deep into Appreciative Inquiry with Mary Alice Arthur in Brisbane … joined by local hosts Jan Ungerer and Penny Hamilton.
Appreciative Inquiry is a faster and easier way of building cohesion, trust and cross-functional collaboration….. it works by focusing the attention of an organisation on its most positive potential - and unleashing the energy of the positive core for transformation and sustainable success.
Learn more about Mary Alice www.getsoaring.com
Please share freely with you colleagues, friends and family.
Full invitation link: http://bit.ly/2tFNOIr
Registration link: http://bit.ly/2tGcssq

30 October - 1 November
Holmesglen at Eildon, Victoria
What is possible when we actively connect and co-create the organisations ad communities we long for?
​The Art of Participatory Leadership is coming again to Victoria - home of the first ever AoPL training in Australia back in 2008, and many since. We hope you will join us in this exciting three day training, in the gorgeous setting of Holmesglen, Eildon, about two hours north east of Melbourne.

The Art of Participatory Leadership (also known as the Art of Hosting and Harvesting Conversations that Matter) offers simple and powerful participatory models, processes and practices to work with others through complexity, uncertainty and change. 

If you want to learn new ways of working in deep collaboration with others, you are warmly invited to join us.
For more details and to register visit aoplvictoria2017.weebly.com/
For information contact michelle@jeder.com.au 0400 578 662​

How can we use our power consciously for meaningful action?
How can we restore balance and centre to act wisely and courageously in the world? ​

You are invited to a weekend dojo to connect and practice with other warriors of the heart.

In dealing with the challenges, complexities, and demands of modern life, this 1.5 day gathering offers us an opportunity to explore ways to work from a place of peace and strength: a place that has the heart at the centre, is balanced, calm and clearly decisive when action is needed. Through guidance and fellowship, let's explore practices that offer insight into the nature of leading self and others as a ‘Warrior of the Heart’.

If you are a leader of any background, in service of others – this weekend is an opportunity to be of service to yourself – to refuel and strengthen clarity and heart, to continue your work in the world.

In the dojo we will:

• Bring together the principles and practices of Aikido basics as a stimulus for conversation & reflection, and apply the Flow Game to seed wise action
• Explore ways of engaging and aligning personal passion and purpose with the work we want and need to be doing in the world
• Offer an opportunity to focus on improving our sense of well-being in good company with old and new friends, and with informed guidance
  
  

You do not need any prior experience of Aikido or any of the practices here – and you are invited to come and participate fully, with an open mind and open heart. The practice and place is accessible.

This is the fourth time Warrior of the Heart has been offered in Australia, and we are committed to nourishing this beautiful practice here.

Dates: 2pm-5.30pm Saturday 16 & 9am-5pm Sunday 17 September
Location: SPACE at Kenmore Cnr Paley St & Branton St, Kenmore Hills BRISBANE
Fees: Adults $220 (inc.GST), young people $66 (inc.GST) – Bring your own food to share, potluck style!
Team: Toke Moeller, Mel Geltch, Robin Payne and David Newell
Register: complete this online form
Contact: Robin Payne robin10payne@gmail.com 0422 003 547

Visit the website for details and to register   www.wohaustralia.weebly.com

• How do we prepare and organise for powerful collaboration in our organisations, communities and society? 
• What practices and principles can create the right conditions for collaboration that matters?

19 & 20 September | Brisbane

You're invited to a two-day intensive training in the practice of Groundwork - looking at the nature of organising and collaborating. It uncovers the foundations of powerful collaboration by exploring a practice through which we cultivate the conditions that support people to self-organise and do their best work together.

The purpose is to build our shared capacity to collaborate more effectively and with more powerful results. 

We will identify the elements of Groundwork practice through a framework called the Foundations of Powerful Collaboration, applying this to projects and initiatives that you are already working with. 

Using this framework we will explore principles, practices and tools that can support us in practising conscious Groundwork. 

Come as an individual, or a team!

The Groundwork model and practice is pioneering work in the Art of Hosting community. The first training was held in Denmark in 2016, with trainings since in Canada, Scotland, Denmark and coming up in Scotland and Colombia. 

This 2 day deep-dive follows a 1 day introduction to Groundwork held in Brisbane in January 2017. There is a discount for returning Groundwork practitioners

Team: Toke Paludan Moeller, Mel Geltch, Pam Burley, Moze Crozier, David Newell

• Find out more & register  

• Learn more about Groundwork   
• If you already know that you want to come, register now 

Sunday 11 December 2016, 10am-2.30pm
Annerley, Brisbane
​Please register here

The Flow Game is a unique opportunity to give and receive wisdom on questions that are important to us, in a safe, supportive environment. Its purpose is to ground, strengthen and bring clarity and flow to you, your life, leadership and actions.

In December, a small group of new Flow Game hosts is being trained in Brisbane by one of the game’s international stewards, Mary Alice Arthur. We invite you to join us on the final day of our 3 day training to experience the Flow Game for yourself.

You will have the chance to explore a question that has meaning to you in your life or work right now, in a Community Flow Game. You will also be supporting newly trained hosts to practice hosting, guided by Mary Alice and experienced hosts.

To participate, we ask that you have a clear intention or question to explore with old and new friends.

During the game, we’ll jointly reflect and share knowledge related to your question or intention. We will play multiple games in parallel, each in small groups of 4-6.

Come and spend the day in the cool of Annerley Hall, and play the Flow Game with us!

About the Flow Game
To help illuminate possibilities and explore your future, eight people co-created this game in Denmark in 1998. It is played all around the world, in life and in organisations. Learn more about Flow Game at www.flowgame.net

 “Flow Game is a wonderful way of really connecting with people and talking about some important issues in your life. (It) creates a wonderful atmosphere of togetherness and mutual growth in an inoffensive and non-pressured way. I can´t wait for the next time to play the Flow Game!”

PLEASE NOTE: DAY 2 of this workshop is now full. There are still places available for Day 1

Day 1: Introducing the visual toolbox
Content

• Hands on introduction to graphic facilitation
• Introduction to the 3 visual methods
• Drawing technique and icons
• Visual storytelling

 
Day 2: Applying to your own context and diving deeper
(ALL PLACES FOR DAY 2 HAVE BEEN FILLED)
Content

• Graphic facilitation and process design
• The 5 competencies
• Introducing the big paper
• Individual projects

The workshop will be hosted by Anne Madsen

Anne Madsen’s specialty is Graphic Facilitation and Strategic Visual Communication. Her great passion is the process of learning and how we can move beyond what is known and comfortable to the place where learning and disruptive innovation reside. With big pieces of papers and markers Anne works with teams and organisations of all sizes and sectors to create overview, transparency and a shared language with which to navigate the ever-changing field of (work)life. Anne is a co-founder and partner in Status Flow; a consultancy offering process design, facilitation and capacity building for organisations within the fields of leadership, learning communication and collaboration. Anne lives in Denmark and often visits family in Australia.
 
When:         9am-5pm Tuesday 10 January 2017

Where:       Former NDS Innovation Hub
                     Level 1, Lutwyche Shopping Centre
                     543 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche BRISBANE
​
Contact:    mel@purposepartners.com.au or 0400 412 498
 
Cost:           From 16 December 2016
                    1 day: $350 (+GST) full fee / $275 (+GST) students / low income
                    The price includes meals and materials.
                    If the fee is a barrier to your participation, please get in touch.

Further discounts are available if you also register for the Groundwork workshop on 9 January 2017.
 
Please fill out the registration form online or download a printable version
​Download the fee structure here
Download a printable invitation 

"Just as every good farmer focuses all his attention on sustaining and enhancing the quality of the soil, every good organisational leader focuses all her attention on sustaining and enhancing the quality of the social field that she is responsible for."
Otto Scharmer
 
How do we prepare and organise for powerful collaboration?

What practices and principles can create the right conditions for collaboration that matters?
 
Collaboration may be in fashion but we are long past the time for just thinking or talking about it. So many issues in our lives demand that actually collaborate, and do it relatively well. While this is clear, the process of organising and collaborating is experienced by many of as difficult, slow and ineffective, particularly if the group is large. So how do we go about changing this?

This introduction to Groundwork looks at the nature of organising and collaborating. It uncovers the foundations of powerful collaboration by exploring a practice through which we cultivate the conditions that support people to self-organise and do their best work together. It all starts from there for as Otto Scharmer says, the quality of the field determines the quality of the yield.
 
The workshop will be hosted by James Ede, Mel Geltch and Penny Hamilton
 
When:         9am-5pm Monday 9 January 2017

Where:       Former NDS Innovation Hub
                     Level 1, Lutwyche Shopping Centre
                     543 Lutwyche Rd, Lutwyche BRISBANE
​
Contact:      mel@purposepartners.com.au, tel: 0400 412 498
 
Cost:           From 16 December 2016
                    $350 (+GST) full fee
                    $275 (+GST) for students and others with low income
                    The price includes meals, materials and a digital practice guide.
​                    If the fee is a barrier to your participation, please get in touch.

Discounts are available if you register for the Graphic Facilitation workshop
on 10 January 2017.

• Please fill out the registration form online, or download a printable version
• ​Download the fee structure for all workshops
• Download the full invitation

We invite you to join us in exploring Groundwork and the nature of organisation and collaboration in your own context

The purpose this workshop is to support each other in building our shared capacity to collaborate more effectively and with more powerful results. We will identify some of the elements of Groundwork practice through a framework called the Foundations of Powerful Collaboration. Using this framework we will explore principles, practices and tools that can support us in practising Groundwork more consciously.
 
The practice of Groundwork is about much more than just being well-organised. It can be practiced at the individual, team and organisational level and in all cases, it invites a focus on that which is less visible or that happens underground, below the surface. This includes: 

• the ongoing work of developing the self, the interior condition of each individual and the strengthening of personal and collective leadership.
• a focus on quality of relationships and hosting or tending to the social field.
• holding the bigger perspective while defining and navigating long-term purpose and strategy.

 
The introduction will cover: 

• How to build a solid foundation for powerful collaboration?
• What if we could practice more harmonious ways of organising ourselves, each other and the work that matters?
• How to invite others in a humane, real and artful way?
• How to create inspired and connected teams committed to creating meaningful impact?
• What are good stories of application that can inspire and strengthen our work? 
  
  

This introduction is for people who work with other people - which is most of us. This particular workshop will have a specific focus on working with process, participation and engagement.

Groundwork was first offered as a training in Denmark in May, 2016, after a 4 year exploration by James Ede, Toke Paludan Moeller and Rowan Simonsen. We are inviting a one-day workshop to Australia, the first outside Denmark.

The workshop will be hosted by:
James Ede is a Learning Host and partner in Status Flow, a consultancy offering process design, facilitation and capacity building for organisations within the fields of leadership, learning, communication and collaboration. James’ interest in Groundwork stems from his experience of working with teams and from collaborating to host events, conferences and conversations that matter. James lives with his partner Anne and their daughter in Copenhagen, Denmark.
 
Mel Geltch is a participatory process designer, host and harvester, and partner in Purpose Partners, working for wiser action. Mel is passionate about building the capacity of herself and others to live and work with purpose and authenticity, and supporting the development of sustainable organisations and communities. She loves working in places where everyone is valued, free to learn, take responsibility and have fun. Mel attended the first Groundwork training in Denmark in 2016, and is inspired by the conscious practice of organising for collaboration, impact and sustainability. She lives in Brisbane, Australia.
 
Penny Hamilton is a host and process designer. Her core work is to create and hold spaces for people to have a voice, explore possibilities, build capacity and discover creative ways to do good work together. Penny’s role at UnitingCare sees her coordinating and hosting events and conversations to support organisational transformation. Her interest in Groundwork grows from knowing what it takes to co-create opportunities such as workshops, storytelling symposiums, innovation challenges, learning opportunities and meetings with intention and purpose.  She lives in Brisbane, Australia.