> For the complete documentation index, see [llms.txt](https://mars-solutions-lab.gitbook.io/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/llms.txt). Markdown versions of documentation pages are available by appending `.md` to page URLs; this page is available as [Markdown](https://mars-solutions-lab.gitbook.io/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/doing/co-creation/convening.md). # Convening {% embed url="" %} Art of Convening by Claire Buré {% endembed %} A convening is a gathering of a range of stakeholders who represent different – often opposing – perspectives on a topic for a shared purpose. And they depend on the diversity of these people and perspectives to accomplish a clear purpose; including moving towards achieving specific outcomes. In a convening, what is collectively achieved is always greater than the sum of its parts. Before convening stakeholders, identify the outcomes and following actions you expect to establish after the convening. The outcomes and outputs of convening need to clearly show alignment to the specific outcomes and actions you expect to achieve after the convening. The agenda and activities for the convening should also align with the intended outcomes and outputs ## What Does Success Look Like? {% hint style="warning" %} **What does success look like for your convening?** To help define this, with your lab team, you can ask yourselves: * What **outcomes** are needed for this convening to lead to action? (e.g. do you hope for: agreement on a convening question; participants are mobilized for next steps to occur) * What are the essential **outputs**? (e.g. the creation of a Terms of Reference, 100 ideas are generated, desired impact as defined by targets, etc.) * What **conditions** do you need to put in place during the convening to ensure full participation? (e.g. to what extent do you hope participants will share their personal perspectives with one another? How deeply or intently are they listening to one another with empathy?) **What needs to happen before and after your convening, in order to ensure success?** Next, you’ll need to identify with your lab team: what do you need to put in place, before and after the convening to ensure action? * What **pre-conditions** do you need to put in place before the convening to ensure full participation, and for your stakeholders to feel like it will be a good use of their time? (eg. participants have a clear understanding why they are joining, location is appropriate, the event is timely, etc.). * What **post-conditions** do you need to put in place after the convening to ensure action? To ensure full participation, and for your stakeholders to feel like it was a good use of their time? (eg. participants are motivated about next steps and their roles are clear, support is in place for teams moving forward, etc.). {% endhint %} {% file src="/files/-Lkk10cr1MTGPxWYcXsb" %} Template - What does success look like? {% endfile %} ## Engagement Principles It is often helpful if not critical to set ‘ground rules for engagement’ together with the participants you are convening. Because these individuals are often holding varying perspectives (eg. different levels of government, citizens, corporate sector, academic/ theoretical etc.) it’s important to create a respectful and conducive environment for everyone’s full participation. Here are some ideas to help you get started: * Engage with intent & purpose * Aim for maximum transparency & clear communication * Work to establish trust & mutual respect between participants * Two heads are better than one, but limit numbers (or it will reduce creativity) * Embrace diverse perspectives in your convening * Balance representation with people who can help bring about change {% hint style="info" %} ### Key Resources Nesta. *DIY Toolkit: Creative Workshops.* [http://diytoolkit.org/tools/creative-workshop-2](https://www.nesta.org.uk/toolkit/creative-workshop/) Flower, N. R. & Muoio, A. (2013). *Gather: The Art & Science of Effective Convening*. Monitor Institute. Reos Partners. *Tools.* [*https://reospartners.com/publication-type/tools/*](https://reospartners.com/publication-type/tools/) {% endhint %} --- # Agent Instructions This documentation is published with GitBook. GitBook is the documentation platform designed so that both humans and AI agents can read, navigate, and reason over technical content effectively. Learn more at gitbook.com. ## Querying This Documentation If you need additional information that is not directly available in this page, you can query the documentation dynamically by asking a question. Perform an HTTP GET request on the current page URL with the `ask` query parameter, and the optional `goal` query parameter: ``` GET https://mars-solutions-lab.gitbook.io/living-guide-to-social-innovation-labs/doing/co-creation/convening.md?ask=&goal= ``` `ask` is the immediate question: it should be specific, self-contained, and written in natural language. `goal` is optional and describes the broader end goal you are ultimately trying to accomplish on behalf of the user. GitBook uses it to tailor the answer towards what is most useful for that goal. The response will contain a direct answer to the question and relevant excerpts and sources from the documentation. Use this mechanism when the answer is not explicitly present in the current page, you need clarification or additional context, or you want to retrieve related documentation sections.