From the Field...
What it Takes:
One of our Many CC Success Stories

David Kimball is one of our newest CC hosts and while he is not alone in his success, his immediate success has been inspirational at CC Central.

David, as a Humanist, believes he has the ability and responsibility to develop as much of his humanity as is humanly possible, and to also help others along the way. "I feel badly when I go to social events and observe so many people just engaged in small talk. Yet in places where discussions are held on a particular topic, I noticed that people would present their case, but not really listen to others. Everyone would walk away from the table with the same that they came to the table with and there was little or no dialogue where people would listen to others and use what they heard in helping formulate their own thoughts and feelings."

About a year ago, David happened on to the CC methods through his interest in Appreciative Inquiry (AI) and Collaborative Meetings and felt that hosting a CC was something he could do locally (Marlboro, MA) Since many of his involvements took him to Boston (a 2-hour round trip), he wanted to do something where he lived.

In the summer of 2006 he decided to take the plunge and began by copying the various files from CC, and then attended the telephone workshop in the spring. His next step was to find the venue and do the marketing. By then it was September, so their first CC meeting was in October 2006.

The marketing paid off. Many of the first participants came because of the ad he ran in the local paper, others from the poster and handouts left on location and still others came because of the poster placed in the local library. He said that the topic he had chosen - "What does it mean to be a global citizen living in Marlborough , Massachusetts ?" - was the primary factor for why people chose to come. "I was surprised how many people responded so positively to that topic. Most of the people are older, and all, but one, were white Europeans. I would like a little more diversification - especially with the topic. Although trying to stay away from blue/red state discussions, almost everyone would probably agree to being called progressives. Yet many of the people, although holding to the same thoughts/feelings, have different reasons and it's interesting to listen to the differences."

But that is not what is bringing them back or what inspires David to continue hosting. "I think one of the biggest 'wows' was the look on people's faces. I saw people really listening to someone else while they hold onto their talking stick. There were no interruptions, just focused, active listening. And the look on the faces of people who were speaking from 3 to 5 minutes on a topic was a 'wow' as this was the first time many of them had a chance to speak for any length of time on a topic to a group that was actually listening. I could almost see them become intoxicated by the experience."

Many of the people have told David that they are so glad he organized a CC and how much they appreciate it. He says that most people are now coming via word of mouth and the positive responses of the attendees have shown the level of its success. One woman and her friend drove 75 miles to attend. She had been looking up things on the Internet and thought that such a discussion group would be interesting.

His objective has been to provide an opportunity for people to express their thoughts and feelings and to have an opportunity to listen to others.

"I feel that one does not really know what they think or feel until they try to express it - either verbally or in some other medium."

Although he has brought much to his CC by being a dynamic host, the experience has also given him new insights, with his greatest learning being "This is not my baby - this is their baby and they love it."

David said the real key to the success of the group was being willing to take the plunge. "There was always a reason not to start it, but there was also always a reason to just do it. I'm glad I just did it. It has already been very rewarding and I have had an opportunity to meet some very stimulating people where I have had the opportunity to spend some quality one-on-one (or two-on-two) time with them socially, which was perhaps also another one of my objectives."

"Start small," is David's advice and although he did not have any of his friends come, he suggests having a few friends to start with. "Put a poster in the library, the local papers and the place of the venue. Then you can broaden your marketing as you see it take shape. Also be prepared to break into smaller groups. Eight is probably the max you will want in one group in order to encourage full participation. Otherwise group dynamics take hold and there will be only four people talking and the rest only listening."

David is not only a CC host, but now also serves as a mentor for many new CC hosts. He is also engaged in several non-profit organizations including Board of Directors of Coalition for a Strong UN, Board of Directors of Nonviolent Peaceforce, sings in different choruses, and participates in poetry readings and slams. He hosts two philosophy discussion groups at his home each month and hosts various Sing Alongs just for fun.

David's CC meets the third Monday of the month from 7:30-9 pm at the Starbucks located in the center of town (Marlborough , MA).