The Futures Game -- The REZ
|
Our Philosophy |
The Futures Game -- The REZ was featured at the 6th Annual International Sustainability Conference at the University of Cuenca in Ecuador in January 2010.
| |
|
The Futures Game - The REZ Why does Tribal Planning do what it does? How does the community planning board decide to move forward with that project? What could the community development folks possibly have been thinking when they made that decision? All are great questions. All are questions you and others have muttered or declared from the rooftops. So, what goes through the minds of folks who are charged with the planning and development of communities? How do they make the decisions they make? Now you have the opportunity to play a game that simulates the actions of those folks who make the decisions. The Futures Game – The REZ, is a simulation that challenges participants skills in finding balance with leadership issues (People), cohesion issues (Place), and capacity issues (Things); and shaping a positive future for a typical Native American Reservation set in the upper Great Plains of the United States. The Futures Game – The REZ, is a scenario game. It allows you to play the role of decision maker, planner, leader, where you work with other community members to make decisions about your community and then watch how those decisions play out over time – 20 years actually. The game is a powerful tool to stimulate dialogue and discussion about the future of your community. The Futures Game – The REZ, was developed in collaboration between ANC and Innovative Leadership Australia (www.ila.net.au); one of the worlds leaders in innovative scenario planning application. The “futures simulation” approach can be used in a number of ways including:
How ‘The Futures Game -- The REZ’ works Each team starts with a base map depicting a hypothetical reservation including small towns, a variety of land uses and ownership, and a mix of landscapes and businesses. At each of five stages (the years 2010, 2012, 2015, 2020 and 2030), teams are presented with a particular situation and asked to choose between two critical decisions.
They are also given a set of important local, national and international events to consider as they make their choice. After each stage, teams receive a new map depicting the impact of their decision on People, Place and Things. By the end, it’s clear to everyone that choices about creating balance on the REZ can have significant and sometimes unexpected long-term consequences on the reservation and its communities. What can you gain from playing the Futures Game Imagine what might happen if you were confronted with the decision to satisfy short term needs of the people versus the long term growth of the Tribe. Imagine what you would do to balance the needs of the Reservation with the demands of the surrounding non-Native interests. Imagine if you could do that in a situation where you could learn from simulated scenarios and not suffer financial and political fallout if you had to do it for real. The Futures Game -- The REZ engages participants in a real-life, but hypothetical simulation of what could be. You get to play out different decisions to better understand how those decisions might play out over time. It is an excellent tool to understand how and why we make the decisions we have always made. It allows people to better understand how they make group decisions and evaluate their leadership style and philosophy. It helps folks understand how to make better collective decisions and the imporance of community values and vision and how we might get to that vision of a better future for our community and our youth. The Futures Game Workshop Kit The Futures Game comes in a ready-to-use self-contained kit which includes instructional and workshop DVD, facilitators guide and enough maps and materials to host a workshop of at least 10 teams with 5-7 people per team. The kits can also be readily expanded for larger groups. It is specifically designed as a stand-alone workshop tool which is easy to facilitate and use in a range of settings and situations. The kit also includes a CD of master files of consumable sheets, to allow multiple uses of the kit resources. How to use or purchase ‘The Futures Game’ We are available to help design and facilitate a workshop using The Futures Game -- The REZ with your community or organization. But we would much prefer for you to have that ability in your community or organization to do it yourself. We beleive that rather than hire a consultant to show you the way -- hire the consultant to teach you so you can show yourself the way. Specific training and accreditation sessions can be organized to train local facilitators. The Futures Game -- The REZ is available for purchase. There are three other versions of the Futures Game available too. The prices for the kits as a stand-alone workshop tool are: $1,995 plus shipping and handling and associated sales tax as applicable. Prices are effective August 2010. Delivery time 1-3 weeks depending on location. To order The Futures Game --The REZ, just drop us an email or call us at 701-250-6825. More background information on ‘The Futures Game’ The Futures Game has a solid design and development foundation. The game concept and application was originally created and applied in the Western Australian Wheatbelt in collaboration between Dr James Fisher (Desiree Futures); Dr Michael O’Conner (CSIRO) and David Beurle (Innovative Leadership Australia). The game approach has since been refined and expanded to include new versions. Each version of the game takes several years to develop and test, and is based on extensive analysis of the contemporary local issues. The developmental process builds from regional scenario planning work that defines a series of plausible futures for a region or industry. These scenarios provide the framework for the game development which then integrates local research, experience and community input. The final product, while presented in a simple game format, aims to reflect contemporary local issues and have a harmonic with the ‘real-world’ situations. Hence, the game can help people decision making in a hypothetical but meaningful manner. The Futures Game’ concept has been pioneered by Innovative Leadership Australia, in collaboration with key partners. This game approach provides an enjoyable and accessible way for citizens and community leaders to engage in robust and meaningful discussions about the future, and to explore contemporary challenges in community and economic development. Over 98% of people who play the game report it as a challenging and enjoyable experience which provides real benefit to critical thinking about the future and local decision making. Versions of ‘The Future Game’ There are a series of games available; each set in a different region around the world. Each version deals with a unique and different set of local challenges and issues. Using multiple versions in your community or organizational work can help deepen the learning opportunities and challenges. All versions are in English language. Additional versions now available include:
| What People are Saying about the Furtures Game -- The REZ I would definitely encourage “many” or all tribal members to play this game. - Tribal member from Idaho
I am a financial educator and this game generates new ideas in dealing with families and the personal decisions they make. As well as decisions I make as a School Board member, Thanks. - Tribal member from Idaho
I loved this game because it helped understand consequences of decision making specifically in
That I need to really talk with community members about decisions. As an outsider, there may be cultural things I do not understand and will significantly impact the future. - Montana game participant
The challenge of considering long term effects on current decisions and maintaining or creating a balance. The opportunity to discuss and provide different perspectives about options available. - North Dakota game participant
Sometimes you have to sacrifice short-term gains for long-term results. Balance and harmony is critical to community development. - Tribal Member from Montana
This helps to show how the decisions we make today affect our future. - Tribal member from North Dakota
I think it was very helpful in making wise decisions that would help the community. I would definitely like to experiment this in my community. I think it would give us real life answers why/how people choose options. I think it was a great exercise. Thank You! - Tribal memebr from South Dakota
While I’ve participated in scenario planning, this game is very different (and interesting) because it plays out the outcomes of decision making that bring scenarios to life. - South Dakota game participant
Very enlightening and could see where we can focus our decision making with the people, place and things in mind. - Tribal Member from Minnesota
I think it is a valuable visual way to get people to think about and get other’s perspectives. Good visual for creating hope. - Tribal Member from Minnesota | |
