This is offroad a bit from thinking about community listening. But...it's really not. It's about paying attention to human moments. Stay with me here as I connect these dots. I am not a huge baseball geek but am slowly growing to appreciate the sport's unique complexity. And - like some of my other sports-enthusiastic friends … Continue reading How baseball reminds us to pay attention to things that make us human
Monthly update (May): Evanston stories and community listening
100 Evanston Stories Project "When Fred Rogers was overwhelmed by the suffering of the world, his mom would tell him to 'look for the helpers.' I see helpers everywhere in Evanston. "The businessman who shares his sandwich with an unhoused person in front of Jewel. The volunteer cleaning cat litter boxes at Paws & Claws. … Continue reading Monthly update (May): Evanston stories and community listening
Designing community listening events
I had another opportunity this past week to attend a community listening event. This one was successful in a number of ways, but I am now beginning to form a short list of principles I think may lead to improving the design of these events. Design to the type of thinking task(s) you require of … Continue reading Designing community listening events
Thinking about: Town halls and missed opportunities to engage the engaged
Earlier this week I attended a meeting billed as a community listening event. It drew 100-plus folks. And it has me thinking about missed opportunities to engage every participant who attends such events. The event I attended was styled as a town hall with a very specific topic focus: Options to address serious financial challenges … Continue reading Thinking about: Town halls and missed opportunities to engage the engaged
Community listening – upcoming activities
In the next two weeks I have the opportunity to participate in a few community listening events. I've been thinking about what I want to pay attention to. Three things jump out: How are the sessions designed to actively listen? And did the design reasonably facilitate that desired goal? How do organizers acknowledge participant work … Continue reading Community listening – upcoming activities
Jeff Merrell 