David Cooper's Page

How did you learn about Art of Hosting (please add the date and place) and what attracted you to it?

After experiencing a event hosted by Adrian Pyle (a member of AOH) in Yarrambat, Australia, I later learned (via the AOH site) that he used some of the techniques and principles of AOH in hosting the event. Delightful!

It was in my search through several authors and their references to AOH that I found and searched through the website. I'm in!

Tell us about your experience with Art of Hosting as part of your life and work. What would you say your competence in it is? (new, starting practitioner, experienced practitioner, steward)

After an experience in Australia, where I was asked to help in the role of "facilitator", it clicked as Both Adrian Pyle and Richard Harmer stated that another word for what we were doing is "hosting" the Open Space in which to engage in Appreciative Inquiry in a non-linear way of "presencing", seeking the catalytic energy that emerges in that safe, affirming, creative space.

See the note below on my experiences. I am a steward in one sense and an experienced practitioner in another.

What is the primary field/topic/focus in your hosting work?

I am a national consultant with the Drew University Shalom Initiative (www.communitiesofshalom.org) and have recently consulted with the Uniting Church in Australia. My role is that of catalyst, facilitator, bridge-builder, but most importantly relationship developer. I have been engaged with this work for over 13 years.

Where do you live/work?

I live between Richmond, Virginia and Washington D.C., however I work across the U.S. and recently into Australia.

Would you like to share a web address?

http://www.shalommakers.com/about

Are there interests/passions that you'd like to share?

Developing shared power (equity), overcoming the American drive to fight for hierarchical, unilateral, dominate "power over" so that our public policies, economics, social cohesion, and physical life are enriched, balanced and fulfilled (shalom emerges).