Power Dynamics and Leadership in Cooperative Groups

Saturday 1:30 – 3:00 pm
While meetings are meant to be equally accessible to all members, the reality is they are not. This workshop will examine why power is unbalanced, and what a group can (should?) do to level the playing field. Not everyone is equally comfortable speaking in front of the whole group; not everyone finds rational discourse their strongest suit; not everyone can sit still for a three-hour meeting. We'll distinguish between "power over" and "power with" and discuss what groups can (must?) do to adopt healthy models of cooperative leadership.

PRESENTER: Laird Schaub has lived the bulk of his adult life in community. He has a national reputation in Integrative Facilitation, conflict management and consensus. He has been a process consultant for 20 years and has worked extensively with collaborative groups across the country, including nearly 40 cohousing groups. Laird serves as the Executive Secretary of the FIC, and is a founding member of Sandhill Farm Community. His website is: www.sandhillfarm.org/canbridge