LLL US Western Division Presents
TEAM 2004: Essential Pieces

  
 
Opening page
 
   

Area Coordinators of Leaders

    
   

Department Day for the Area Coordinators of Leaders (ACLs) started with all of us getting to know each other better. Each ACL brought travel brochures from her local community, which were available for browsing during free moments throughout the day. The ACLs also created a large map of the USWD, putting their respective Area shapes on the sticky wall, showing where each lived, the size of the Area, etc. USWD Leader Department consultants Wista and Peggy filled in for ACLs who were not able to attend TEAM.

Aside from time spent with resource people such as Sue Ann Kendall, Hedy Nuriel, and USWD ALLEs and ACCs, the ACLs spent their department-specific time using Open Space Technology. Their convening question was, “What are the essential pieces of the ACL position?”

Since the attendees were already familiar with Open Space, in no time at all they had the topics they wanted to talk about posted on the Sticky Wall. The topics were quickly grouped into categories for four sessions and Wista and Peggy left the room as the ACLs organized their time and went to work! When these four sessions were scheduled to end, it was hard for this enthusiastic group to stop sharing ideas and reassemble for the report-out of all the sessions. The scribes agreed to take the notes home and send them by email to all the ACLs.

Throughout the day, LLLI Board Members dropped in to listen to the discussions and to answer questions.

Excerpts from the ACLs’ Department Day evaluations:

  • It was great getting to plan our own topics/sessions. I just wanted more time to discuss ALL of our ideas.
  • Thanks for allowing a day just for us!
  • Loved the Open Space and the chance to talk about OUR burning issues. It’s invaluable to hear what’s happening with other Areas. THANK YOU for making sure these things can happen.
  • Open Space was interesting and I’d like to do something similar at our next ACT meeting.
  • The Open Space strategy for our small group discussion was very successful – I think everyone got to discuss personal concerns.
  • Open Space worked well. The smaller group let more folks speak up and allowed us to cover more ground.
But wait, the day’s not over yet! No Leader gathering is complete without fun, games and chocolate. Attendees threw a “Cow Party” for Peggy, as she has decided to switch hats and work with USWD ALLEs and ACCs, and explore online possibilities for the USWD. The theme derives from the fact that Peggy lives on a dairy farm, and has a large collection of cow treasures in her home. Wista and the ACLs really outdid themselves with unique gifts, music and games, and of course sweet treats.