Many good conversations and makings during this third cycle of #clmooc.   It got me thinking about the stone game, and then I remembered this video I made.  This was one of the first gigs* that I had, in which I was graphically recording what was happening in the room and, in this case, online as the facilitator was on an island across the strait, leading the group in a conversation that began with “the stone game.”  I had just taken some basic training in graphic recording and my only rule was that I wouldn’t say “no” – a game I play with myself when I’m entering new territory as I know it is my tendency to want to say no and think I can’t do things.

From afar, David had given each participants a pile of stones and then used them to negotiate a conversation, with them paying attention to their dynamics.  This led them to a very fruitful conversation about their goals and how they were moving forward together.  One of the most brilliant pieces of facilitation I’ve seen and transformational for me…

It began a long lovely recipricol relationship for me with the Family Support Institute of B.C. (I volunteer as much as I can with them and they let me get experimental), was the first of many many graphic recording and facilitation gigs, started us working for a couple of years on projects with David Wetherow, one of my heros who I never expected to work with and a fascination with the stone game, which I’ve used with smaller groups as a facilitation tool.

*While I am now a bit embarrassed by the quality of the graphic recording, it is still one of my favourite sessions and videos.  The distance between what I wanted to do and what I could do compelled me to go learn more 🙂