The excitement created by the workshop and "unconference" just concluded has prompted us to plan an encore event. This will again be a chance for a select group of people — who have expressed great enthusiasm for the powerful ideas in the book, What Kind of World Do You Want? — to experience bringing those ideas to life.

The workshop

6 p.m. on Sunday, May 13, through 3:30 p.m. on Monday, May 14

This fast-paced and engaging workshop picks up where the book, What Kind of World Do You Want? leaves off. You might say it’s the book brought-to-life.

We’ll use the power of appreciative inquiry to interrupt the usual diet of deficit discourse, problem-diagnosis, and short-term fixes that can restrict our horizons. We’ll illuminate the forces in the world, often unnoticed, that amplify our strengths—in contrast to headwinds that seem to diminish our potentials.

Hope and confidence in the future grow as a result, becoming the bedrock of inspired action, fortifying the power and “want-to” in the individual to make a difference.

You’ll develop with others a set of principles to guide the way we can bring forth the best in others. You’ll leave the workshop having created a picture of what the next stage of success will look like for you personally—and perhaps, your greatest contribution—to move you forward with even more vision, exerting even more influence, and facilitating even more the contributions of others.

You’ll notice when returning home that you’re turning everyday conversations (even the “we-can’t-do-that” variety) into the more promising dialogue that compels people to act on their potentials. And if you invited someone else to come to the workshop with you, you’ll also have expanded the support around you — fostering the kind of world you want.

The unconference

6 p.m. on Monday, May 14, through noon on Wednesday, May 16

Can we use a book to change the world? We wrote What Kind of World Do You Want to provide a platform for you to be powerful in the world — to create even more of the kind of world you want.

This gathering will be a chance to figure out together how each of us can use the book — and its powerful ideas — to advance our hopes and dreams for self and society. In short, how to advance the kind of world you want, using the book as a tool.

We’ll use an open space approach, to make it easy for people to self-organize.

You’ll set the agenda. You’ll be able to convene conversations on the topics of your choice — whatever you find most interesting, care about, and may want to do something about. If you choose, you can develop and put into action the ideas that matter most to you, as an individual committed to advancing humanity. (You might want to turn to page 144 of the book, to be reminded of our commitment to honoring the passions of individuals as the foundation of inspired action.)

Still wondering whether this is right for you? Read what participants in the first unconference had to say about it.

The venue

We’ll be in a beautiful retreat setting at Ferncliff Camp and Conference Center in Little Rock, Arkansas. You may remember reading about Ferncliff in the book — and the students who moved from victims of school shootings to leaders. The spirit of Ferncliff makes it a perfect place for a restful and energizing experience.

Registration

The fee is $1275 for the complete program (the workshop plus the unconference), including a follow-up call, meals, and materials. Some spaces will be available for those who can attend only one of the elements, in which case the workshop fee is $750 and the unconference fee is $575, both including meals. Lodging at Ferncliff is $75 a night for a private, motel-style room. Ferncliff is 30 minutes from the Little Rock airport.

We expect this event to fill quickly, so to be fair to everyone, registrations will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis according to when complete registration information and payment are received. Please take a moment now to register, while this is in front of you. [updated: registration is closed]

P.S. from Jim

Last weekend’s workshop and unconference were originally planned as a one-time event, but the response has led us to rethink that assumption. For more than a dozen years I’ve only offered programs for very small groups, usually lasting four to five days.

These workshops — and the work with organizations that they led to — are the foundational experiences that grew into the book. I am deeply grateful to those who allowed me to be on that path with them.

We heard loud and clear from the group last weekend that it’s time to dramatically expand the circle of people who have access to the live and in-person experience that is reported in the book. Hence this new offering — a significant and exciting "opening up" to new possibilities. We hope you’ll become part of the expanding circle by joining us in May.

Best regards,

Jim Lord