This past weekend, a group of those who’ve indicated strong support for ideals and ideas expressed in What Kind of World Do You Want gathered at Ferncliff Camp in Little Rock, Arkansas for an "unconference." As Jim said to open the gathering,

The book is our attempt to crystallize a way of looking at the world — a way that all of us in this room are drawn toward — in a form that you can use to create even more of the kind of world you want. We wrote this book to provide a platform for you to be powerful in the world. (As our favorite blogger, Kathy Sierra would say, "to kick ass.") This weekend will be a chance to figure out together how each of us can use the book to advance our hopes and dreams for self and society — how to advance the kind of world you want, using the book as a tool.

What an experience for us. We’ll post more notes here soon as we unpack learning and priorities. For now, how about some photos of the great group?

More photos on Flickr.

The response to this idea has been encouraging indeed. So much so that we’ve increased the number of people we’ll be hosting — right up to the capacity of the venue — and yet we still have a waiting list.

Jim and I are pleased that for some 40 people, we’ll be able to consummate the honor that was intended in the invitation to participate. We’re also encouraged by the warmth of the response to our invitation. As we look forward to the promise of this new year, we’re buoyed by the enthusiasm we’re seeing for the book’s message.

The reaction Pam and I have received to What Kind of World Do You Want? has led us to notch up our already high aspirations for it. We’ve started to ask ourselves:

Can a book change the world?

We’ve invited a group of those who’ve indicated strong support for the book’s ideals to a special gathering — a chance to figure out together how each of us can use the book to advance our hopes and dreams for self and society.

In short, how to advance the kind of we want, using the book as a tool.

We’ll use an open space approach, to make it easy for people to self-organize. Participants will set the agenda, convening conversations on the topics of their choice — whatever they find most interesting, care about, and may want to do something about. They’ll develop and put into action the ideas that matter most to them — as individuals 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.)

If you received an invitation, I encourage you to register right away, as space is limited. By the way, those who attend will be our guests at Ferncliff Conference Center and Camp in Little Rock, Arkansas. You may remember reading about Ferncliff in the book.