adelaide Australasian facilitators network/iaf conference 2007

The Adelaide AFN/IAF Conference which was held November 28-30, 2007 celebrated the 10th Anniversary of the AFN with the theme "The next Chapter: showcasing the purpose of facilitation". 

As one of the IAF suite of global conferences the AFN Conference was guided by the principles of "13 pillars + 1" which have tended to define IAF facilitator conferences over the previous ten years: 

1. Interactive Opening session
2. Share a Method session
3. Birds of a Feather session
4. Conference Celebration
5. Think-Tanks
6. IAF rally/future forum/ annual membership meeting
7. Conference closing - celebration of spirit
8. Craft/Creativity
9. Qualified sessions
10. Conference proceedings
11. Healthy conference atmosphere
12. Community outreach/local volunteer work
13. Continous innovation
14. CPF assessment events

What follows is a report of the Adelaide AFN/IAF Conference proceedings:

1. Interactive Opening Session: In Adelaide this took the form of an opening night "taste of champagne" 10th Anniversary celebration following the pre-Conference sessions which included welcome to country by an indigenous elder of the Kaurna people, Aunty Josie Agius, introductions of each of the local Adelaide Conference co-ordinating team, IAF regional representatives, along with introduction of special guest, IAF Vice-Chair Theresa Ratnam Thong by Dale Hunter, Immediate Past IAF Vice-Chair. 

The welcome to country and introductions were followed by an interactive 'chalkboard concert' co-hosted by fellow AFN'er, Andrew Huffer. Champagne & other beverages were served along with hors d'oeuvres during this celebration.

As first envisaged by Shani Quiddington this concert was "a fabulous opportunity to have fun, connect with others" with performances which included poems, songs, playback theatre, juggling, skits, story, a sabre dance, and improvised somethings which celebrated "the creativity, laughter and beauty that exists within us".

This celebration was followed by an opportunity for Conference goers to explore the local geography. As the Conference was situated in downtown Adelaide, about 5 minutes walk from the River, there were ample opportunities to enjoy dinner at good food places and 'eat streets' nearby and network into the evening.

2. Share a method session:

The Visioning of the next 10 years during the interactive first plenary session of the Conference related directly to the theme "The Next Chapter: Showcasing the Purpose of Facilitation". The focus topic was "to explore the deeper purpose of facilitation in the world and in our region". The process was based on the principles of Appreciative Inquiry with a creative meld of other techniques including guided visualisation in a three step process facilitated by Joan Firkins, Dale Hunter, Stephen Thorpe, and Tom Schwarz.

For further details about the Visioning process including artistic and written product, please see page 3 of this e-zine.

3. Birds of a Feather (BOF) sessions: Provided during lunch breaks, including think-tanks and meetings for IAF and AFN and the chance to "go shopping" downtown.

4. Conference Celebration: A dinner/dance was held with "de-mo'ing" related to Movember adding to the humour and party atmosphere. A balcony alongside the dance venue provided an opportunity for those wanting to chat away from the dance floor. The local band "Little Black Dress" were great, and a good time was had by all!

5. Think Tanks: Please see notes above re 'Pillar 1: Share a Method' re Visioning plenary session and page 3 of "zed template".

6. IAF/AFN Rally/Future Forum/Annual Membership Meeting:
An AFN Membership Meeting happened during a BOF timeslot, which has hitherto been more ad hoc than annual being the delightfully organic network AFN is. Minutes of this meeting were recorded and posted to the AFN list serv and there has been an expression of interest that the AFN meeting does become annual in the future and possibly held in a different time slot to a BOF to enable more Conference goers to attend if they choose. Another of the BOF's was an IAF meeting led by IAF regional representatives Tom Schwarz, Stephen Thorpe, and Keith Ryall.

7. Conference Closing - Celebration of Spirit:
An interactive and creative closing ritual happened, with opportunity for reflection, thanks, song, playback theatre, and handing over of the AFN/IAF [Oceania] Conference 'genie' to the Bathurst 2008 Conference team, as well as potentially begin a new tradition by the handing on of a replica of the Adelaide Conference Banner featured on the front cover of this e-zine. Auctions of the remaining cartoons from the visioning was held, with much hilarity.

8. Craft/Creativity:
Craft opportunities were provided at regular intervals throughout the Conference, primarily during the opening plenary and with many of the concurrent workshop sessions.

9. Qualified Sessions:
From feedback/evaluations received that there was a high standard of presenters in both the pre-Conference and concurrent workshop sessions, and each related in some way to the Conference theme 'The Next Chapter: Showcasing the purpose of facilitation". 

10. Conference proceedings:
The Adelaide AFN/IAF Conference included summaries of sessions in the Conference booklet. Some lengthier session papers are also in process to be posted to the AFN web-site.

11. Healthy Conference Atmosphere:
Yes.

12. Community Outreach/Local Volunteer Work:
This pillar was touched on via the sale and auction of the Conference Visioning illustrations and the dinner dance 'de-moing', proceeds of which went to the Movember charity, with close to $AUS 900 raised. Special thanks go to Simon Kneebone, illustrator extraordinaire, who donated his cartoons to the Movember charity. 

13. Continuous Innovation:
Our local planning team aimed to design the conference format so that it best addressed the "needs of the [AFN]IAF membership, the growing field of facilitation, and local/national development needs" [IAF: What makes IAF Conferences professional & unique, 2008] in an innovative spirit.

14. CPF Assessment Event:
This was planned and advertised for the two days prior to the AFN/IAF Conference, but didn't eventuate. A CPF assessment event is planned for the AFN/IAF Bathurst Conference and IAF Asia Conferences during 2008.

Overall, comments and feedback indicates the Adelaide Conference was both celebrative and purposeful and seemed to highlight a strong 'sense of community' and ability to work and play together towards a revitalising and engaging Conference. [Also see page 2 of this e-zine]. It was a pleasure to host you in South Australia.

We will all look forward to the upcoming AFN/IAF and associated Conferences, including "Facilitating Social Change Conference", which will be held throughout 2008: More details page 7 of "zed template".

Warm regards to all, 

Adelaide AFN/IAF Conference co-ordinating team;
Joan Firkins, Jennifer Repper,  John Squires, Taryn Baker, Monica Redden, Kirstie Murphy 
in collaboration with IAF regional representatives Stephen Thorpe, Tom Schwarz, Keith Ryall