About Purpose is about your purpose.
Aim: Identify and articulate your purpose.
Arm: Shape yourself around your purpose.
Act: Achieve your purpose.
Programs:
| Receive our Free email newsletter |
Intergenerational Dialogue - Essential Tool for Today's Planning
Bob Ryan, About Purpose, Inc. ©2000
"The best laid plans of mice and humans." Whether you are involved in planning for business marketing and expansion, government policy, social service delivery, local celebrations, or the next family reunion, you will fall victim to "planner's chauvinism." This is a malady that strikes all of us well-meaning people who try to plan things for others without including them in the planning. Oh, we all are smart enough to get a representative committee together. But it never seems to be enough. We always seem to forget something.
Intergenerational Dialogue is a powerful and dynamic tool which enriches any planning process. Some groups and communities have used it for generations (most notably Native American groups). But for most of us, it is a new, but intuitive concept. Intergenerational Dialogue is, in it's most simple form, an intentional gathering of members of all five living generations, for the purpose of gaining insight and providing direction around specific issues or events.
About Purpose, Inc. has been fortunate enough to have been introduced to this tool by one of the field's foremost authors and practitioners, James V. Gambone, Ph.D.* We use this article to share with you both the incredible power of Intergenerational Dialogue, and a summary of how to construct one in your setting. (As always, we stand ready to help you plan and implement a dialogue, should you wish to have help. E-mail or call us at About Purpose, Inc. 612-965-2253 and we'll talk to you about how we can work together.)
*Gambone has written an excellent reference with step-by-step instructions for planning and implementing an intergenerational dialogue. Together For Tomorrow - Building Community Through Intergenerational Dialogue is published by Elder Eye Press, Crystal Bay, MN, USA. Click here to e-mail Gambone or call him at 800-884-9054.
There are five living generations, called by different names by different researchers. (Please note that these names are characteristic of North American populations. However, other cultures have similar generational divisions).
The Civics (or G.I.s) are those born between 1901-1931. (Don't ask me why those born before 1901 are not listed or named!)
The Silents are those born between 1932-1944.
The Boomers are those born between 1945-1963.
The 13ers sometimes called GenX, are those born between 1964-1981.
The Millennials are those born between 1982-2003.
Each of these is marked by a different understanding of the world into which they were born, creating unique viewpoints of programs, activities, events, people, policies, etc. Each is facing different issues politically, developmentally, economically, spiritually and socially. These viewpoints and issues cut across racial and cultural boundaries, giving an intergenerational group a naturally diverse and pluralistic outlook.
Key Point Using an intentionally intergenerational group for analysis, input and recommendations, gives the planner both the broad and the in-depth view of any issue. Those of us using Intergenerational Dialogue in planning efforts find reliable and timely return on very little effort. As longevity increases in our developing nations, we find it more and more necessary to see issues from a full spectrum of generations.
If you've accepted the importance of Intergenerational Dialogue as a planning tool, you'll want to know how to use it. Once again, I'd urge you to order Gambone's book. Click here to e-mail Gambone or call him at 800-884-9054. Here is a brief summary of his considerations in planning and implementing a successful Intergenerational Dialogue:
1. Agree on principles of respect, caring and cooperation - This is basic modeling. If you want the dialogue to be successful in these areas, you must model them from the beginning.
2. Form an Intergenerational Planning Committee - Modeling, again, but even more importantly, this approach ensures a truly intergenerational outlook from the beginning and ensures access to all generations when it comes time to invite participation in the Dialogue event itself. Members should be willing to make a 4-month personal time commitment of about 4 hours per month.
3. Set a Dialogue goal of 50-75 diverse intergenerational participants. - Recruiting 15 people from each of the five generations results in good small-group dynamics and allows enough people to participate in follow up activity.
4. Find a good Dialogue facilitator - Don't scrimp here. Get someone you know can handle large groups and who has experience with planning. If you would like us to help with your Dialogue, e-mail us (About Purpose, Inc.) or call 612-965-2253. For a related article on group facilitation, click here.)
5. Figure a budget and a plan for resources - Direct and indirect expenses will vary, but be sure to figure in generational-specific expenses such as child care, transportation, etc. You will need a place to hold the dialogue, refreshments, marketing and printing resources and probably a facilitator fee.
6. Carefully frame the issue - The issue spurred your interest in the first place, but it is important to frame it in a context that is of interest to all the generations.
7. Choose an authentic scenario - The Dialogue itself is based on seeking the participants' reactions to a scenario that captures the essence of the issue. A real, compelling scenario draws relevant, vital input from people and makes the best use of large group dynamics. (Planning meetings too often tend to be focused on inputs such as words, policies, etc. rather than on outcomes such as reactions, feelings, etc.)
8. Commit to follow-up - One goal of the Dialogue is to create recommendations to action. Responsible planners will commit to designing strategies for follow-up and scheduling at least one follow-up meeting to harness the energy and interest of the participants.
9. Evaluate the Dialogue - The real question to be asked is, "Did the Dialogue result in change? How is our community (company, group, agency, etc.) different as a result of the Dialogue?"
Intergenerational Dialogue is a tool for today's planners. But more importantly, as more and more of us use it, it begins to shape the plans and attitudes of tomorrow.