Haiti Salon Proposal 2nd draft
seeking people & organizations to engage with usHAITI SALON
A gathering in U.S. to support justice, peace and democracy in Haiti
WHY: We must walk our talk, seek common ground, and strive to continually improve results through shared learning and collaboration.
Haiti Salon assumes that efforts to improve Haiti by US-based people and organizations will benefit from face to face meetings designed for optimum exchange and mutual learning. Dialogue and deliberation will help us to seize opportunities in the short term, and, they will nurture democratic practices that are so desperately needed for the long-term. Haiti Salon uses the Open Space method, which contributes to creating a culture of democracy, openness, horizontal learning and collaboration. This experience, which we hope will become habit, will impact initiatives and actions of people coming from a plethora of diverse views and backgrounds.
WHAT: First step: A two and a half day Open Space Haiti Salon. Future Haiti Salon’s will follow.
With Open Space, the theme, intentions, venue etc. is determined in advance by planning committee. The planning committee will consist of 6-10 people who are representative of the various types of people, groups, and organizations who we wish to attract. The actual agenda will be created by all participants during the Haiti Salon. The theme will be something related to “A Just & Democratic Haiti: What’s our part?” or “Supporting Democracy and Justice in Haiti: How can we do our work better?” 5-8 well-known people will be recruited to participate and we will publicize their presence. They will understand that the format is Open Space, which provides ALL participants equal opportunity to propose subjects and invite people to join them.
WHO: People and organizations who are committed to justice and democracy in Haiti.
WHEN: Winter or spring of 2007
WHERE: Philadelphia? NY? Miami?
A place where a university will host us and help us.
HOW: Form a planning committee by January 2006 made up of people who represent organizations that are behind this initiative and others who represent people we wish to attract.
The primary costs will be the time of planning committee members. It will be important for them to have the blessing of their organizations to do the work. Upfront expenditures will be less than $2,000 and will include fees for editing, graphic design, and postage. Once the planning committee is established, first priority will be determining necessary details so that we can create a letter of invitation. This will likely require up to four to six months (April-June). Subsequent mailings and emails will follow. A website will be created to pro-mote the event and engage people. Fees for the conference will pay for all expenses involved. We will seek donations from individuals and foundations to help cover conference fees of eligible people unable to pay.
If you would like to endorse this initiative, which means having your link added, or participate in planning or advisory committee, or offer comments contact us at
john@johnengle.net or call: 202-236-6532. Or, simply click on the comment link below.
-----------------------------------------
Comments from people responding to first draft:
“I think it is a wonderful great idea. I will bring it to a number of groups in the next month and see what I can generate in the way of support. Will be in touch!”
“Good to see the conference idea starting to take shape…Perhaps it would be helpful to have some specific sessions planned to ensure that certain things get covered: networking sessions; ‘how to’ classes (how to fund raise or recruit volunteers, how to make your program effective in Haiti; how to work with large NGO’s, or ???). A presentation or two, a ‘name’ speaker to draw people, perhaps for an evening program, would help, too.”
“I think this is a really important initiative that you are undertaking, and a hard one! I'm happy to see that you are planning it and I think Open Space is definitely the way to go. … I'm happy to help you out with this initiative in any way I can. I feel a great pit in my stomach when I remember trying to get people to work together, but I also feel inspiration when I read your plan.”
“I think the possibilities of something like this are so exciting. Keep going for it!”
“Rec'd your thoughts about having a conference of those of us working in Haiti - grassroots orgs. I would definitely be interested. Please keep me in the loop.”
“Excellent idea! I'd certainly be willing to do my share down the road.”
