How do we begin building and sustaining collaborations across sectors that deepen relationships, leverage resources, and create greater impact?

Participants from Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota, North Carolina, and the U.K. gathered at the Minnesota Humanities Center to explore the question:  “How do we begin building and sustaining collaborations across sectors that deepen relationships, leverage resources, and create greater impact?” This experience combined theory, practical tools, and opportunities to practice collaborative learning.

We convened the circle with the opening question, “Why is it important for you to be here?” As a token was passed we each took our separate turn as an unconscious dance emerges, small movements at first becoming larger gestures and common themes arose. All individual tokens were added to the center. Welcome home to your new community.

Four Fold Practice

We were introduced to the Four Fold Practice.

One reason for deepening and sustaining our collaborations is that our work can’t just be about trying to find the answers. In our complex world, answers have a shorter and shorter shelf life. It’s important to keep powerful questions alive instead of jumping to conclusions.

Trust the process: We were asked to sign up for learning and leading processes throughout our time together. Our first leap of faith.