This blog post was written by Tony Pfeiffer – who was a member of the all-volunteer hosting team for the online Community Cafes when he contributed this post. Tony lives in Ponce, Puerto Rico. 

World Cafe is not what I thought it is. World Cafe is much more! My first exposure (2014) was in the book “Mapping Inner Space” by Nancy Margulies. There was a graphic of the World Cafe on page 43. My first impression was “Hmmm, what is this about?”. I found the World Cafe site. As I moved around the site I was intrigued. My logic was that seems like it would work. And, I saw it as merely a physical event.

Fall 2016, I took a fresh look at World Cafe. Oh, there is an online Cafe monthly. When I looked at the time commitment of 2.5 hours I thought how can I do that? Then, in December I attended my first ever World Cafe. It felt like a home coming reunion. Each break out session gave me 3 new people to interact with people from all over the world. It felt safe, sacred, and special.

At the end of the call there was a mention and an invite to those who wanted to consider practice hosting with the team. Michaela Sieh and Amy Lenzo welcomed me onto the team for the January 2017. What a great way to start my new year!

Now, every month I have the privilege and opportunity to be mentored and practice hosting and harvesting. As a co-host I learn to be in and with the team to co-create the space for “Conversations That Matter.” As a participant in the three break out sessions I get to listen from my heart to others. And, speak from my heart. I love each round. To me, it is always a big surprise package of new people and new heart to heart connections.

World Cafe is never what I think it is. Each month it is new and richer than before. I am part of the whole that connects us heart to heart in real time in conversations that matter.

Tony Pfeiffer