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WFS Arizona ChapterKick-Off MeetingSeptember 16, 2012

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Who are we andwhy are we here?

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WFS Mission

“Our mission is to enable thinkers, political personalities, scientists and lay-people to share an informed, serious dialogue on

what the future will be like.”

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WFS: Chapter Overview

Futurists are concerned about the world as a whole, but effective action to achieve a better future generally takes place in one's local area. A local futurist group enables futurists in a given area to get to know each other, share ideas, and work together to educate the community about future possibilities.

A local chapter should focus its attention on the future but not become over-specialized in any one aspect of the future. It is also extremely important that the local group not align itself with any particular political party, religious group, or other outside enterprise so that potential members or participants will not feel that their viewpoints would not receive a fair hearing.

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WFS: Chapter Expectations

A local chapter affiliated with the World Future Society is expected to support the Society's objectives:

1. To contribute to a reasoned awareness of the future and the importance of

its study, without advocating particular ideologies or engaging in political

activities.

2. To advance serious and responsible investigation of the future.

3. To promote the development of methods for the study of the future.

4. To increase public understanding of future-oriented studies.

5. To facilitate communication and cooperation among organizations and

individuals interested in studying or planning for the future.

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Arizona Chapter: Mission

To attract, connect, and engage individuals and organizations in Arizona to ideas and issues consistent

with the World Future Society’s mission;

To create an active, vibrant, and diverse local chapter able to contribute positively to the overall WFS objectives;

To stimulate local and global collaboration on projects and initiatives that foster serious ongoing dialogue

about the future.

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Arizona Chapter: Vision

Corporations and

CorporateThinkers

Educational Institutions,Educators

and Students

Government and Political

Thinkers

Individuals: Consultants, Lay People,

Writers, Small

Groups

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Connect, Connect, Connect

WFS Arizona

Corporations and

CorporateThinkers

Educational Institutions,Educators

and Students

Government and Political

Thinkers

Individuals: Consultants, Lay People,

Writers, more

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Interact, Interact, Interact

WFS Arizona

Corporations and

CorporateThinkers

Educational Institutions,Educators

and Students

Government and Political

Thinkers

Individuals: Consultants, Lay People,

Writers, more

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Through Interdisciplinary Futurism

Corporations and

CorporateThinkers

Educational Institutions,Educators

and Students

Government and Political

Thinkers

Individuals: Consultants, Lay People,

Writers, more

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But will it feel like to be a part of WFS Arizona?

Adjective Exercise:

Friendly, synergistic, inspiring, stimulating, enlightening, intellectually expansive, creative, impactful, fun/playful, exciting, inclusive, empowering,

hopeful/optimistic, engaged, connected, deep/thoughtful, informed, supportive, productive

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What will WFS provide its members and the community?

Noun Exercise

Focus, peripheral vision, support, culture, ideals, ideas, substance, social/conviviality, tribe (belonging), diversity, foresight/vision, exploration, questions, expertise, experience, experiences, education, clarity, variety,

products, insights

Also: a bar!

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What will they say about us in 10 years?

Headline Exercise:

WFSAZ Connects with Young People

WFSAZ Transforms Arizona into the Most Forward-Looking US State

WFSAZ: One of the Most Influential Groups in Arizona

WFSAZ Drives Innovation in Arizona

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What Else?

Need to Have Meetings with Exercises

Products

Value Proposition

Provide the Framework for Members to Do Work

Nexus for Social Connections

Place for Ideas and Insight

Collaborative

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Practical: What It Needs to Be

• Open and Inclusive• Dynamic and Diverse• Connecting• Forward-Looking• Innovative• Consistent• What Else?

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Practical: What It Needs to Do

• Connect, Connect, Connect• Build Membership Base• Stimulate Minds• Become a Go-To Resource

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Practical: What We Don’t Need

• Factions and Fragmentation• Dogmatism, Zealotry• Political In-Fighting• Political or Religious Disputes• Over-Specialization• Exclusion or Elitism• Individual Self-Promotion• Too Many Rules and Restrictions!• What Else?

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We Need a Structure

• Advisors• Leadership• Committees• Member Base• Sponsors• Partners

• Meeting Cadence• Programming• Communication• Recruiting/Funding• Participation

– Online– Offline

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We Need a Leadership Team

• I’m in.• Who else?• Email me at ekingsbury@cox.net if you’re

interested.

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We Need Working Committees

• Leadership Committee– Direction: strategy and programming– Decision-making

• Community Outreach Committee– Sponsorships and Partnerships

• Fundraising/Membership Committee– Recruiting

• Publicity/Promotion Committee• Special Event Committee

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So Now What?

• Action Items:– Set up an October general meeting– Set up a leadership team meeting to cement

plan and put in motion.

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