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BE PART OF THE LEGACY

TAMPA BAY • FEBRUARY 23-24 2026

This FINAL encore experience will be unlike any other. Because like everything we do, it's been "reimagined" from beginning to end. It's not a virtual or hybrid event. It's not a conference. It's not a seminar, a workshop, a meeting, or a symposium. And it's not your typical run-of-the-mill everyday event crammed with stages, keynote speeches, team-building exercises, PowerPoint presentations, and all the other conventional humdrum. Because it's up close & personal by design. Where conversation trumps presentation. And where authentic connection runs deep.

Gathering in Community

while the form and formalities of convening
may vary over time and
because of the human vessels
that embrace it and carry it forward
the foundation of good practices
and good intentions will remain
as long as there are those of us who remember
always to speak from our hearts
without preconceived notions or ideologies
and to create opportunities
for others to do the same

In this tweeting, texting world, I find myself wondering whether the art of real and connective conversation will be lost like other great human skills that have become obsolete, such as navigating by starlight or starting a fire using only dried sticks, or tending to a vegetable garden in our own backyard.

To find ways to counteract this trend, I have spent years training in and practicing the Art of Convening™. This is a process developed by Craig and Patricia Neal and expanded upon in their book by the same name. It outlines in detail a particular way of gathering together in community that allows our individual and collective wisdom to emerge in the spaciousness of a time and place that is purposefully created by certain procedures and rituals. These groups may be made up of like-minded or diverse participants, friends or strangers, colleagues or competitors. They often span many other differences as well, including age, sex, culture, interests, and expertise. For me, the great AHA! was witnessing a method that offered a surer path to deep and meaningful connection.

What creates a cohesive whole is, first and foremost, the intention to develop this sense of unity, and, secondly, a series of specific rituals and practices designed to establish a container of safety and acceptance that allows all voices to be respectfully heard.

The result is both magical and moving as well as practical and powerful.

Here is one simple practice based on a process used in the Art of Convening™: First, offer a sincere invitation to those you would like to join you in a circle gathering. Once you are all together, sit in a circle and place a lit candle in the center to evoke the image of a campfire as a reminder of the way our ancestors gathered since time immemorial. To ensure the full engagement of each participant, take time to invite each person’s support and wisdom through a ritual that is sometimes referred to as stringing the beads. In this ceremony, you ask each participant to imagine that every person present is a unique and precious bead, and your voices are the string that will link you together into one beautiful necklace. This process, which is based on many ancient traditions that respect the value of deep listening and heartfelt speaking, allows every voice to be heard.

Now ask an inviting question like, “What’s alive in you right now?” Allow each participant to take a turn speaking without interruption. If you need to limit the amount of time each person speaks due to time constraints, use a timer and gently ring a bell or chime as a reminder when their time allotment is coming to an end. Instruct them to say, “I have spoken” or “these are my words” as a way to ensure that they have been allowed to fully express their thoughts. The listeners respond with “Thank you” or “I have heard your words.” When all the voices have been heard, open up the circle for further conversation and expansion on the thoughts expressed.

Margaret Wheatley, one of my favorite thought leaders, wrote a book titled Turning to One Another: Simple Conversations to Restore Hope to the Future. As the title so eloquently suggests, our best hope for the future lies in our ability to turn to one another with curiosity and respect. With whom might you be drawn to do this now?

Minx Boren
Minx Borenhttps://coachminx.com/
Minx Boren is a Master Certified Coach, credentialed through the International Coach Federation, as well as a motivational speaker and workshop/webinar facilitator. She is author/co-author of sixteen books, including Friendship Is a Journey, Healing Is a Journey, and, most recently, Decades of Gratitude, Gusto, Grit & Grace. Minx is a longtime community leader and activist and has served as president of Executive Women of the Palm Beaches 2013-14 and as a member of the Board of Directors of The Women’s Foundation of Florida since 2007. She is the 2013 recipient of the Giraffe Project, presented by Women’s Chamber of Commerce to women who “stick their neck out for others. ”Her current focus is on exploring with olders what it means to grow into our later years with gratitude, grace, and gusto. As an adjunct professor at FAU Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, she offers courses on such topics as Navigating by Values, Resilience in Stressful Times, and Healthwise Living. As an author, Coach Minx leads workshops at spas and wellness centers as well as for the Women’s Foundation of Florida for those who want to write a book or articles for publication or simply want to learn to journal their personal reflections more effectively. Minx is the CJO – Chief Journaling Officer – for Purpose Journals, a company that offers unique journals, webinars, tools, an active writing community along with significant support for anyone who wants to “discover yourself on the page.” Minx is involved with developing and presenting local Sustainable Living initiatives including, because of her background in nutrition and wellness, programs on Food Glorious Food – A Sustainable Perspective. For the past 10 years, she has been sending out a Balance Point Newsletter every other week – thought-provoking ideas, questions, and action challenges - along with selections of poetry from her poem-a-day practice – all from a coach perspective. You can sign up to receive them on her website.

DO YOU HAVE THE "WRITE" STUFF? If you’re ready to share your wisdom of experience, we’re ready to share it with our massive global audience – by giving you the opportunity to become a published Contributor on our award-winning Site with (your own byline). And who knows? – it may be your first step in discovering your “hidden Hemmingway”. LEARN MORE HERE


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