Convergence Of ICs 2025 Schedule
If there is a disagreement between the program online and the program posted on the board on site at the event- the schedule on site is the most correct version.
| Monday September 1, 2025 | |
| 10am | Convergence Registration opens |
| 12-1pm | Informal lunch |
| 1pm – 1:30p | CIC Opening & Welcome |
| 1:30pm – 2:30pm | Sowing Seeds of Belonging |
| 2:30- 3pm | bio & snack break |
| 3pm – 5pm | Open Space Planning |
| 5 – 5:30pm | Open Space wrapup |
| 6 – 7pm | Dinner |
| 7pm – 8:30pm | Intellectual Interruption Activity |
| 11 pm | Quiet Hours Begin |
| Tuesday, Sept 2, 2025 | |
| 7am – 8am | Movement Practice |
| 8am – 9am | Breakfast |
| 9am – 10am | Exploring the Cultural Context in Harm Reduction & Repair |
| 10am – 12pm | Working Groups |
| 12-1 pm | Lunch |
| 1pm – 4pm | ForUS Workshop (by Yashapi) |
| 4pm – 4:30pm | bio & snack break |
| 4:30pm – 6pm | Optional Working Groups |
| 6 pm – 7pm | Dinner |
| 7pm – 8:30pm | Intellectual Interruption |
| 8:30pm – 11pm | Late Evening Activity |
| 11 pm | Quiet Hours- No drumming, shouting, or amplified music. |
| Wednesday, Sept 3, 2025 | |
| 7am – 8am | Movement Practice |
| 8am – 9am | Breakfast |
| 9am – 10:15am | Working Groups |
| 10:15-10:30am | Break |
| 10:30am – 12pm | Working Groups |
| 12-1 pm | Lunch |
| 1pm – 3pm | Working Group Presentations |
| 3pm – 3:30pm | bio & snack break |
| 3:30pm – 6pm | Closing Circle |
| 6 pm – 7pm | Dinner |
| 7pm | Optional Intellectual Interruption |
| 11 pm | Quiet Hours Begin |
| Thursday, Sept 4, 2025 | |
| 8 am – 9 am | Breakfast- Grab & go |
| 10 am | Cleanup begins |
| See the Information Board for further info & updates about scheduled sessions, program changes, and other activities | |
About the new 2025 Convergence of ICs schedule
What is Open Space Technology?
Open Space Technology (OST) is a meeting format that empowers participants to self-organize and create their own agenda around a central theme. It allows for dynamic, organic conversations and collaborative problem-solving by giving participants the freedom to choose and lead discussions that interest them. Open Space can lead to innovative and unexpected solutions by tapping into the collective wisdom of the group. Participants learn to self-organize and take ownership of the process, leading to greater effectiveness, while the collaborative nature of Open Space can strengthen relationships and build a sense of community.
Key Goals for CIC’s Open Space:
- Propose specific themes, challenges, and focuses for “Working Group” sessions
- Propose “Intellectual Interruption” session content. These sessions are participant-led activities and/or workshops that stimulate the physical and emotional body while building relationships
- Fill open roles of: “Working Group Facilitators”, “Intellect Interrupters”, and “Kinship Tenders”. What are these? We’ll explain!
What is a “Working Group”?
A Working Group is a team of people organized around a specific focus identified through the Open Space process. The group will discuss the challenges, needs, wants/desires, and strategies to “solve the problem” of their focus. Certain working group proposals have already been developed and proposed by attendees from CIC 2024. These proposals will be included in the Open Space process and we will collectively respond to what is most alive in the current group. Examples of working group focuses are: Harm Reduction & Repair, Cross-Community Promotion, Cross-Community Needs/Offers Forum, Mutual Aid, Bioregional Resources, Organized Political Activism, etc. So, ask yourself- what does the IC movement need and how can we organize internal systems to fulfill the need?
Not all participants need to propose a focus for a working group, but think about how you can best show up for one. Examples- Are you a great meeting facilitator? Are you a great note-taker? Are you a great networker? Are you already networked with organizations or communities that may be interested in supporting the working group’s focus?
What is an “Intellectual Interruption” session/activity?
One of the core goals of CIC is to figure out how to best serve our communities. This type of organizing and system-building takes a lot of intellectual engagement and we understand that the body needs attention too! In fact, engaging the body can contribute to more creativity and diverse perspectives while in our working groups. We invite attendees to think of what somatic, relational, movement oriented gifts, activities, or workshops they can offer for these sessions. Then, throw them into the Open Space stew and see what comes out!
Additionally, the schedule has openings for morning movement practices which can be self-curated by participants as well.
What are the other roles about?
Intellect Interrupter – This role can be filled by anyone at any time. The intellect interrupter’s job is to track the working groups for mental exhaustion and the like, and to invite participants to get in touch with their bodies. This can be as simple as encouraging your working group to take a break for slow breathing, jumping jacks, hugs, stretches, song circle, etc.
Kinship Tender – This role can also be filled by anyone at any time. Kinship tenders take responsibility for (at any authentic time- this does not have to be your job 24/7) tracking the way that participants are relating to one another and seeing how they can nurture a sense of greater belonging. Kinship tenders can get curious about other participants, inviting personal conversations; they can provide emotional or processing support if they notice someone needs it; they can bring someone a plate of food at a meal or do someone else’s dishes; they can check in with youth or elders if they need extra or different support- there are many ways to tend to our kinship!
The purpose of these roles are for participants to take collective care into their own hands and increase our awareness of the needs of others and the whole. When we consider others’ needs for support and inclusion, we are exercising our muscles for collective belonging!