Oswaldo Guayasamin: July 1919-March 1999, Quito, Ecuador
He was a Quechna Indian, Master painter and sculptor. His creation "La Capella del Hombre"
documents the human potential for greatness despite a history of cruelty.
IDIOMS events will employ a format that will be adaptable to a variety of timelines, venues and content focus. This generic format includes the following components.
1. The facilitator will be the primary contact person between IDIOMS and the participant group, and will assume the responsibility of communications among their group. Facilitators may be participants but are not required to be participants. Facilitators will also agree to promote the philosophy of IDIOMS as described in the purpose statement and nurture the development of participant work. Facilitators should not allow their personal biases to influence the content of the work of any members in their group. Facilitators of groups with members under 18 years old will be required to have background checks.
Before groups assemble to prepare for an event the facilitators will be given session guidelines. Each session will have a slightly different format depending on art forms to be used, topic to be addressed and timelines. Facilitators will be given a limited list of possible and/or suggested information sources for objective facts, but will be reminded that many other pertinent sources should be sought by individuals preparing work. Facilitators should realize that the presentations should show the participants reaction and response to the problem from their spiritual perspective, how their belief system or culture informs their opinions and actions. Facilitators will be instructed that IDIOMS will be participant driven, they should not preach to the participants or in any way try to control the content of their work. In practical matters the facilitators will review timelines, discuss the code of honor (see below) and guide for respectful listening, make sure participants understand there is no proselytizing
2. Groups may form using any criteria that binds them together.
The groups may be formed with, but are not limited, to the following criteria: faith based, neighborhood, hobby, lifestyle, cultural, gender identity, etc. Group size should be between 2-5 people. They should register with IDIOMS as a group with their name/title, members and facilitator indicated. The facilitator may be one of the participants but is not required to be a participant. Registration can be on-line, through the regular mail or at the first event of a session. Groups should stay together for an entire event cycle, but may break up, reform, have membership changes, a different facilitator after the conclusion of an event. A description of “event” and “sesson” is in #3, the following category. Groups will register with IDIOMS before participating in another event, either before the event begins or no later than the first presentation event in a sessions. Participating as part of a group is highly recommended and encouraged, however individuals may participate if they are
18 years old or older.
3. IDIOMS will occur within “sessions” that consist of a series of “events”.
Use of the term “session” allows for a variety of time lines. A way to think of “session” is as the session of a legislature (months), an annual session in the form of a weekend convention (a few days) or a week long seminar or workshop. An IDIOMS “session” will not, however, be limited to the parameters of these these suggested examples. Each session will have a leader that supervises the implementation and occurrence of events through the sessions conclusion. This person will be designated by the board and/or director and can be a board member, director or other employee, but does not have to be a board member, director or employee of IDIOMS.
The term “events” refers to a single occurrence or activity and will be labeled to describe the purpose of the event. For example, a preparatory/training event, a practice event or a performance event.
Each session will designate a theme and art form(s).
4. Spoken word presentation may use various poetry forms, but participants may choose other written forms to memorize. Examples could be, but not limittied to: journal or diary entry, letter, short story, and essay.
5. The various art presented is considered property of the presenter. Any use of art work for advertising, this website, IDIOMS Facebook or Twitter site, requests for financial assistance to IDIOMS will be with the permission of the presenter.
Guidelines for Session Launch/Preparation/Training Event
A group is 2-5 members and a facilitator.
Greet everyone, introductions, review schedule, review Code of Honor,
Guidelines for Respectful Listening and Guidelines for an IDIOMS Event and introduce issues(s) and art forms that will be the focus of their work for the session.
Leader will ask what participants to share within their groups what they already know about the topic. Participants will be challenged to determine if their knowledge is fact or opinion. Participants will be asked to think of ways to describe, react to or solve the suggested problem topic. Leaders will share a list of source material, this list need not be extensive. This is intended to encourage adequate research on the topic. Presentations should be informed opinions, not just personal rant. IDIOMS does not intend to tell participants what to use as source material. IDIOMS does intend to encourage the use sources that can be documented. Although participants will not be required to document their work, they should realize that they may be challenged by people responding to their work in follow up sessions. A couple computers would be helpful here. Participants will do most of their background research on their own time. IDIOMS hopes to draw from the participants, not prescribe to participants.
Discuss the art form(s) that the particular session is utilizing. Explain the verbal presentations should be memorized. Time limit is three minutes, but presentations don’t have to be that long. View some spoken word on you tube that has been recommended.
Point out that poetry slams are “poetry”, but the presentations are theatrical but use no props or costumes. IDIOMS is more about expressing ideas than formal literary structures, so they might find other forms of verbal structure useful (journal entry, letter, essay, short story, unaccompanied rap) Remind participants that their work should be from a spiritual perspective
Groups at this time may Take 15-20 minutes of quiet, private time for participants to start a rough draft, free write on what they might want to say, get the thoughts and energy flowing. Again, formal literary structure is not as important as content. Explain that the majority of their work will be prepared on their own time. This 15-20 minutes is just to get them started.
IDIOMS is not meant to be a writing or art class, but facilitators and participants are encouraged to share and assist each other. IDIOMS is not meant to provide content, such as in the form of a class syllabus. Participant perspective will influence each individuals choice of source materials.
Guidelines for Combined Group Meetings Event
Two to ten groups assemble in a conference room at a public library or park, or a welcoming space. One of the leaders will volunteer to be the primary facilitator for the day. Greet everyone, introductions, review schedule, review Code of Honor and Guidelines for Respectful Listening.
Have half the participant present their spoken word work, with either the groups taking turns, one presenter at a time or entire groups taking turns.
Some participants may wish to share visual art and use the three minutes to give insight into their work.. Display conditions may vary from site to site, so it would be helpful if the art was easily portable and displayed.
Provide time for questions in order to help participants revise and improve their work. Participants may ask questions of each others work, ask for clarification, make recommendations, share source information, give compliments, share what they found particularly insightful or moving
Have fellowship time with light snacks, all participants will be asked to bring snacks to share. Encourage interaction between all present.
Wrap up with thanks, affirm efforts and positive participation, encourage them to seek new participants.
Guidelines for Presentation Event
All participants and audience members are welcomed by session leader or person designated by session leader.
All are asked to review and follow the guidelines outlined in the Code of Honor and Guide to Respectful Listening.
A timer will be selected.
Each participant will be limited to no more than three minutes, although they do not have to use that much time.
Groups will take turns presenting. One of two formats will be used. Either, all the participants in a group will present one after the other in the same group, or one participant from each group will present, then one from another group, then one from another group until all participants present their work. The presentation participants will be asked which format they prefer, if there is not clear consensus of opinion the session leader will choose the format.
All participants will listen (watch, attend to) to all other participants
After groups are done presenting all participants will be ask to rank the five(or whatever number is designated) presenters they found most compelling. Audience members will also be given the chance to rank participants. If the session leader determines that one particular participant has a large number of fans in the audience, the leader may choose to have the ranking conducted by participants only. The selected presenters will be recognized on the IDIOMS website and local newspaper, plus be given a small item.
IDIOMS CODE OF HONOR As a participant in any IDIOMS event, I agree:
To revel in an environment in which freedom of speech and religious convictions, self-determination and pursuit of creative excellence are inalienable rights.
To participate in a way that encourages, illuminates and supports established standards of good positive relationships and sportsmanship. To allow all participants to pursue their craft peacefully and without censure.
To comply with local, state and federal laws pertaining to individual civil rights and physical or sexual harassment.
To be a fair participant who is fair and generous. To be a participant who has recourse to nothing illegitimate. To be a participant who listens with a gracious, open and accepting mind and heart.
GUIDELINES FOR RESPECTFUL LISTENING:
Full attention given to presenter. Techie items turned off, not just on silent or vibrate.
No talking, distracting movements, gesturing, or noise from any source.
Face speaker, no negative, distracted body language.
Clap after speaker is finished to positively acknowledge effort.
Maybe take a few notes so you can contribute to a constructive discussion.
Greet everyone, introductions, review schedule, review Code of Honor,
Guidelines for Respectful Listening and Guidelines for an IDIOMS Event and introduce issues(s) and art forms that will be the focus of their work for the session.
Leader will ask what participants to share within their groups what they already know about the topic. Participants will be challenged to determine if their knowledge is fact or opinion. Participants will be asked to think of ways to describe, react to or solve the suggested problem topic. Leaders will share a list of source material, this list need not be extensive. This is intended to encourage adequate research on the topic. Presentations should be informed opinions, not just personal rant. IDIOMS does not intend to tell participants what to use as source material. IDIOMS does intend to encourage the use sources that can be documented. Although participants will not be required to document their work, they should realize that they may be challenged by people responding to their work in follow up sessions. A couple computers would be helpful here. Participants will do most of their background research on their own time. IDIOMS hopes to draw from the participants, not prescribe to participants.
Discuss the art form(s) that the particular session is utilizing. Explain the verbal presentations should be memorized. Time limit is three minutes, but presentations don’t have to be that long. View some spoken word on you tube that has been recommended.
Point out that poetry slams are “poetry”, but the presentations are theatrical but use no props or costumes. IDIOMS is more about expressing ideas than formal literary structures, so they might find other forms of verbal structure useful (journal entry, letter, essay, short story, unaccompanied rap) Remind participants that their work should be from a spiritual perspective
Groups at this time may Take 15-20 minutes of quiet, private time for participants to start a rough draft, free write on what they might want to say, get the thoughts and energy flowing. Again, formal literary structure is not as important as content. Explain that the majority of their work will be prepared on their own time. This 15-20 minutes is just to get them started.
IDIOMS is not meant to be a writing or art class, but facilitators and participants are encouraged to share and assist each other. IDIOMS is not meant to provide content, such as in the form of a class syllabus. Participant perspective will influence each individuals choice of source materials.
Guidelines for Combined Group Meetings Event
Two to ten groups assemble in a conference room at a public library or park, or a welcoming space. One of the leaders will volunteer to be the primary facilitator for the day. Greet everyone, introductions, review schedule, review Code of Honor and Guidelines for Respectful Listening.
Have half the participant present their spoken word work, with either the groups taking turns, one presenter at a time or entire groups taking turns.
Some participants may wish to share visual art and use the three minutes to give insight into their work.. Display conditions may vary from site to site, so it would be helpful if the art was easily portable and displayed.
Provide time for questions in order to help participants revise and improve their work. Participants may ask questions of each others work, ask for clarification, make recommendations, share source information, give compliments, share what they found particularly insightful or moving
Have fellowship time with light snacks, all participants will be asked to bring snacks to share. Encourage interaction between all present.
Wrap up with thanks, affirm efforts and positive participation, encourage them to seek new participants.
Guidelines for Presentation Event
All participants and audience members are welcomed by session leader or person designated by session leader.
All are asked to review and follow the guidelines outlined in the Code of Honor and Guide to Respectful Listening.
A timer will be selected.
Each participant will be limited to no more than three minutes, although they do not have to use that much time.
Groups will take turns presenting. One of two formats will be used. Either, all the participants in a group will present one after the other in the same group, or one participant from each group will present, then one from another group, then one from another group until all participants present their work. The presentation participants will be asked which format they prefer, if there is not clear consensus of opinion the session leader will choose the format.
All participants will listen (watch, attend to) to all other participants
After groups are done presenting all participants will be ask to rank the five(or whatever number is designated) presenters they found most compelling. Audience members will also be given the chance to rank participants. If the session leader determines that one particular participant has a large number of fans in the audience, the leader may choose to have the ranking conducted by participants only. The selected presenters will be recognized on the IDIOMS website and local newspaper, plus be given a small item.
IDIOMS CODE OF HONOR As a participant in any IDIOMS event, I agree:
To revel in an environment in which freedom of speech and religious convictions, self-determination and pursuit of creative excellence are inalienable rights.
To participate in a way that encourages, illuminates and supports established standards of good positive relationships and sportsmanship. To allow all participants to pursue their craft peacefully and without censure.
To comply with local, state and federal laws pertaining to individual civil rights and physical or sexual harassment.
To be a fair participant who is fair and generous. To be a participant who has recourse to nothing illegitimate. To be a participant who listens with a gracious, open and accepting mind and heart.
GUIDELINES FOR RESPECTFUL LISTENING:
Full attention given to presenter. Techie items turned off, not just on silent or vibrate.
No talking, distracting movements, gesturing, or noise from any source.
Face speaker, no negative, distracted body language.
Clap after speaker is finished to positively acknowledge effort.
Maybe take a few notes so you can contribute to a constructive discussion.