[Ailist] Collation

[Robyn Stratton-Berkessel]

Tim,

Your thinking of having the pairs link up with other pairs to form  
larger groups is perfect to identify common themes related to the  
topic.  (What is the topic they are inquiring into through the  
appreciative lens?)  Usually, we have 3 pairs link up to create groups  
of six.  It is not so much about reading from the prepared forms, but  
listening to the interviewer sharing the high points of the stories he  
or she heard from the interviewee.  That is the mind blowing piece  
that people find so powerful and value so greatly about this first  
phase -  Discovery Interview -  of the appreciative inquiry process.   
Once each pair has shared the high points of the story, they identify  
the common themes across all stories, which each group then shares  
with the large group in plenary.  Each groups can flip chart the  
themes to capture the gems they identify.

To feed forward in the afternoon,  you could invite each of the groups  
to report out their shared themes (and usually we get to hear one  
story from each group that exemplifies the shared themes). What you  
will be identifying the positive core - the strengths of the community  
when it functions at its best -  in relation to the topic you are  
inquiring into.

With all the strengths that will be uncovered and the energy that  
emerges, what possibilities could be envisioned for their future?

The people will have so much to share. It is exciting.

Please let us know your experience.

Kind regards,

Robyn
Robyn Stratton-Berkessel
Creator, Positive Matrix www.positivematrix.com
Founder, L.I.T. Global www.litglobal.com
+1 732 291 0462
+1 917 816 5597 (mobile)
Skype: robynsb

On Oct 10, 2008, at 12:38 AM, shl at btinternet.com wrote:

Good morning. My name is tim and in 5 hours will be running my first  
ai event. I have over 100 people who will be interviewing each other  
for about 15 mins each using prepared forms. I haven't yet decided how  
to best collate the information so as to provide some kind of feedback  
to the group itself, and to feed it forward into the afternoon session  
when other people will be turning up. I am thinking of having people  
form groups of 10 or more after the 1-1 interviews and share emerging  
themes, or looking at the forms over lunch. What do other people do?  
Any suggestions gratefully received! Thanks. Tim.
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