Each statement is written on the flip chart so that all can see the nominations. Under normal circumstances this process goes on until there are no more nominations, at which time the facilitator guides the group in a discussion of each nomination to clarify, discuss, edit, and remove redundancies. The value of this process is first to have participants think before talking, and then to get the thinking of all people in the groups. Given the severe time constraints, we limited nominations to one round, with the provision that other nominations could crop up during the clarification and discussion phase. The first exercise was to identify potential events that could affect the future of Virginia community colleges if they occurred.
Events are unambiguous and confirmable.
When they occur, the future is different. Event identification and analysis is critical in anticipatory organizational planning. Each person on a planning team may agree with this statement, but may also interpret it differently. In the next election, the political right gains control of Congress and the presidency. Or Minorities become the majority in 10 states.