As a citizen of the planet and our local communities, we are all confronted with hundreds of challenges. Often these challenges leave us feeling overwhelmed, paralyzed, or without the energy to act. One can almost hear the under lying question---how do you eat an elephant? The answer to this adage is---one bite at a time. For some of you reading this report, this analogy might seem to over simplify the issues; however there is a bit of reality in this statement.
Utah Transit Authority is the largest public transportation provider in the state of Utah whose mission it is to: “… strengthens and connects communities thereby enabling individuals to pursue a fuller life with greater ease and convenience by leading through partnering, planning, and wise investment of physical, economic, and human resources” finds itself in a paradoxical position. How do we (Utah Transit Authority) provide effective, efficient, reliable, accessible, safe and environmentally friendly transportation and at the same time run a successful transit agency?
November 2007, Utah Transit Authority brought together a group of its community partners to assist them in planning its third Future Search Conference. During a day long meeting, Utah Transit Authority along with people who represented several stakeholder groups met to talk about what kind of transportation they wanted for the most vulnerable citizens in the community.
Transportation is the link to work, medical appointments, social activities, etc. for people who, either by choice or life circumstance, depend upon various modes of transportation that may or may not include public transit. In addition, as the number of citizens in this category increases, we as a community must come together to explore alternatives in a collaborative way. With that, the group arrived at the theme for a Future Search Conference entitled: “Community Transportation for All.”
Once the group of stakeholders had agreed upon the conference theme, they began to determine who should be invited. A Future Search conference is a 2-1/2 day planning meeting that is spread over three days. It brings together a minimum of 64 - 80 participants who discuss and focus on the theme from their hearts and from the perspective of a stakeholder.
The principles of future search are 1) get the whole system in the room, 2) think globally before acting locally, 3) group self manage and 4) conflicts are knowledge and used as data but they are not resolved. A future search is also a journey through the Four Rooms of Change. Claes Janssen Ph.D. wrote that we live in and move through four psychological rooms in every aspect of our lives. During the planning of a future search conference and the actual conference the participants move through the Four Rooms of Change as individuals and groups. One of the tasks is to acknowledge the feelings associated with each room and to accomplish only the work that you can do at that moment. For example, it is very difficult for you to be inspired and think of innovative solutions if you are feeling empty and sad.
Conference Keynote Speaker John Inglish
Introduction
The Future Search Process