These folks are then brought together to talk about issues of special importance to that population. They explore their shared concerns in ways that uncover insights and possibilities they never thought of before. This new wisdom comes right out of their own experience, passion and creativity listened to and let loose at last. Many people have had very bad experiences with committees and so are understandably skeptical about the potential of Wisdom Councils. However, Wisdom Councils do not behave like committees.
Dynamic facilitation is unique in the way it evokes and follows the group s energy.
It makes meetings more fruitful, alive and creative than those most of us are used to. If Wisdom Councils are done regularly, they can sustain a sense of engaged possibility in a whole community. They provide a coherent, wise Voice of the People the thoughtful consensus of truly diverse people, not factional or official pronouncements or divisive, shallow opinion polls. That s the tried and true part. The Wisdom Council model, however although it has been used in a number of institutions has yet to be tried in a community.