Initial Conversation/Study Group
Drummoyne Community Centre
July 17th 1999
Thirty people turned up
for this first Conversation/Study Group on the Future of work.
We started with the sharing of purpose and background that creates the centredness
necessary for a real conversation. The stories we heard were about as varied as you
can imagine from such a disparate group but the underlying theme was really very simple.
Work, as it is currently identified and structured does not serve our needs,
personally or
as members of the community. Rather, it is designed to serve business and the
economic machine.
The downsides of these perspectives were many and some of the stories about work were
really rather poignant.
The following statements or questions were flagged as a part of the
search for where this is going to take us.
- How are we to define 'Success'?
- What is work? What is staff?
- Addressing Community businesses as a part of creating communities.
- The impact of globalisation.
- Balancing Optimism and pessimism.
- How to teach the possibility of new mindsets?
- Changing structures & how the workforce is perceived.
- Workers as a resource rather than as a cost.
- MAI and anti MAI as a demonstration of democracy
- How to discipline the multinational's attitudes.
- Empowering workers
- Community values about work.
- Alternative Structures for work.
- Workplace as an environment to support creative expression.
- Sustainability and Democracy.
- How work (jobs) affect our other relationships
- Stress created by our submission to financial drivers
- Ethical dilemmas arising out of work situations
- Volunteer vs. Paid work
Does that scratch the surface? Probably only just.
People present will no doubt offer much that I have left out.
We broke into specific arena groups to talk about issues and brought matters arising back
to the floor. As a result of these unfinished events, at least three other
Conversations or meetings were convened for other times and places. We can expect to
get some feedback from their activities when we meet next.
So what next?
The original purpose of this series was aimed to create a collective intelligence around
the future of work that resides in the knowledge base and conversation of a group of
people. This will, in turn, engage the participants in creating a better future for work
in Australia. As well, it will help us and those we come in contact with to better
think about our life purposes and how those might show up in our lives.
The initial response has been tremendous and I sincerely hope that
this will be an ongoing and enriching event for all who wish to participate.
The next Future of Work Conversation will be on
Saturday August 21st 1999
at the Drummoyne Community Centre
10 Cometrowe Street. Drummoyne.
Time 1.00pm and planning to run till 4.00pm.
Donation of $5.00
requested.
Call Noel on 9819 7914 for more information
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