Structure and improvisation: the Parts Work Unconference

Possibly more than you ever wanted to know on the Parts Work Unconference, and our ideas on participatory events

We hosted an online Parts Work Unconference last week.
(If you missed it, don’t worry: we host one every few months!)

We have not written in general about the Unconference in a while, and since the last one is fresh in our minds, we are taking the opportunity to finally share some of the feedback we received. Thank you to all those who provided feedback so far! If you haven’t yet you’re welcome to do so via our feedback form.

But before we start: if you like what we do, if you like what you are reading, share it with others, and/or subscribe. We rely on word of mouth. If you really like what we’re doing, you can book a 1:1 session with one of us to find out what it’s like to work with us.

What Is It?

The Parts Work Unconference is a semi-structured participatory event: it happens at the intersection of structure and freedom to propose, create, explore.
Unlike traditional conferences with pre-planned agendas and expert speakers, unconferences create a container where participants co-create the experience in real time. We use the Open Space Technology as a basic container, adapted to being online, and to dealing with sensitive topics (eg: we allow for closed rooms).

"A welcoming, open, heart-centered and non-judgmental space for people from different backgrounds, abilities and cultures to share their knowledge and experiences of using the Internal Family Systems model to process personal and collective adverse life events."

The unconference is a self-organizing gathering where anyone can propose and host a session about parts work, Internal Family Systems (IFS), or related healing modalities.
There are no keynote speakers: we recognize that everyone has valuable wisdom and experience to share.¹

Here is what some of the participants from our last event shared:

"Whether you are new to IFS or a seasoned veteran, someone who wants to learn and practice, someone who has an IFS related idea or concept to present or discuss, or are seeking community of like-minded IFS enthusiasts, put the Unconference on your calendar. It's a non-commercialized resource that is unique, welcoming, and highly valuable."

"A great opportunity to explore a variety of topics related to IFS in a well thought out, interactive format. The break out sessions ranged from fun and lighthearted to very deep and vulnerable including many different styles of presentation and facilitation. The ability to sample different break out rooms gave me a wonderful feeling of freedom and open exploration that kept me engaged and excited throughout the day."

"A fabulous opportunity to learn how Internal Family Systems can be applied in our lives from peers."

We model the event it as a playground for ideas and connection. You might attend a workshop on using IFS with grief, join a discussion about parts work and creativity, participate in a guided meditation, or engage in a conversation about integrating IFS into daily life.
The topics emerge from what's alive in the community at that moment.

To get an idea of what sessions can happen, this is the last living schedule, showing what sessions did happen.
(Living, because it comes alive during the event, and changes until the event ends).

"The event is a creative space to explore a wide variety of IFS related topics. People offer and join all kinds of sessions. It is an inviting space to experience, to discover, to learn, to be inspired. It is a warmly open-hearted place to connect - with your self, with your parts and with others."

We (and or the container) provide the basic framework — a schedule of time slots, virtual rooms, and facilitation to help things flow smoothly — while participants bring the content, questions, and connections that make each unconference a unique experience.

"It was the collective birth of everything that wanted to become manifest, seen and heard within an organic flow in that moment. The re-centralization of IFS back to an open community where we all had the permission to take up space and been seen or heard was really amazing."

The unconference invites and welcomes everyone from curious beginners to experienced practitioners, coaches, therapists, and anyone interested in parts work, inner work, and self exploration.
You don't need to be an expert to participate or even to host a session, for sure you do not need to be officially trained: just bring yourself (or Self?) and a willingness to engage.

"A place to meet, connect, and learn from others passionate about IFS."

Flatter hierarchies, welcoming the flourishing of the unexpected and of connections that couldn't have been planned in advance.²

Why We Do It

First of all, we like it.

We host the Parts Work Unconference because we believe in the power of community to create magic when given the right container.
We started it hoping it would work, that there could be other people wanting to play and be playful, that this container could work outside of festivals and hackathons. We hoped to be part of something where the collective intelligence could emerge organically.

"By bringing together IFS enthusiasts of all walks of life from all over the planet, the Unconference is a joyful manifestation of what is possible when we take 'all parts welcome' seriously as a way of life."

Our inspiration comes from participatory events like Burning Man and jam sessions, where participants co-create the experience rather than simply consume it. We've discovered that when people show up and contribute to a space with minimal structure but clear boundaries, incredible things can happen that no one could have planned.

"I was amazed at what was offered and how much I wanted to participate in so many of the sessions. [...] It was so important that the IFS Collective is offering the Unconference. It has been so hard to access practitioners of IFS and information. The Collective and the Unconference are helping to spread this powerful healing modality to more people in really egalitarian and equitable ways."

As we wrote when describing our facilitation philosophy: "We all love being part of a group where things flow naturally, where we feel valued and respected."
In the unconference, we strive to create together this environment where people can feel safe to explore, share, and connect.

"Having attended multiple academic conferences previously, both in-person and on-line, I can honestly say that this one felt the most intuitive, co-created, wholesome and aligned with my personal values and my internal family system. I felt held, seen and valued as I was allowed to gently explore and share my experiences and expertise with like-minded people in a safe, open and non-judgemental space."

Additionally, we do not like to take ourselves too seriously, as someone noted semi-jokingly “life is too important to be taken seriously”.
We like being playful, and when others are. We like being allowed to make mistakes, and smile about them.
We like experimentation, laughter, and unexpected connections.

Some of our most profound learnings have emerged from sessions that began with "I'm not sure where this is going, but..."

Why You Might Want to Join

Well, if any of the above calls you too, that’s it, or a great enough start.

Additionally, at the Parts Work Unconference you can offer and find different things, depending on what calls you:

• Community connection: Meet others interested in parts work and IFS in an open, welcoming environment

• Learning opportunities: Experience different approaches, techniques, and applications of parts work

• Testing ideas: Try out a workshop concept or facilitation technique in a supportive space, where failure doesn’t sting³

• Finding your people: Ask "Who else is working with X?" and discover kindred spirits

• Sharing half-formed ideas: Bring your questions, hunches, and works-in-progress without pressure to have everything figured out

• Fun and play: Engage with deep material in a lighthearted way that creates both joy and insight

"The hosts compare the Unconference to a playground. That means you can enjoy the swing, try that high slide or perhaps that unfamiliar equipment. I find that encouraging, and it inspired me to offer an extra session."

"I loved the openness and the level of quality and discovering that there are so many people quite knowledgeable about IFS and who use it in their daily lives."

"I attended this event, having no idea what to expect. I left this event feeling totally inspired, in awe, and uplifted by the power of community. Deeply grateful that I attended and I intend to continue coming for years to come!"

How We Do It

Our unconference mostly follows Open Space Technology ideas, which we feel align beautifully with applying the concept of being “Self led” to a group:

1. No agenda: Like in an IFS session, we provide a container but don't dictate what emerges. What happens is what wants to happen, what the moment calls for.

2. Everyone is welcome (if not all behaviour): All parts, people, and perspectives are welcome, but we maintain agreements about respectful behavior. No personal attacks, no aggression, being consensual, respecting others' time and space.

3. The space and container are incredibly important: We create an atmosphere of safety and openness where authentic connection can flourish.

   "I love the open format and the openness to change topics and propose ones from the audience."

4. Inviting cooperation: The event is co-created - it happens because people bring together ideas, share, learn from each other, and get inspired.
   

   "I love the exact way you set it up for participation and everyone's contribution and creativity."

5. Honoring openings and endings: We provide clear structure for the beginning and end of the event, helping everyone integrate their experience.

The basic format includes:

• An opening circle where we introduce the concept

• A session proposal period where anyone can offer to host something

• Multiple session blocks where various offerings happen simultaneously

• A closing circle to integrate and reflect on the experience

"I found the Unconference so life-giving. I enjoyed the way it came together organically, built around the people gathered, fresh, unplanned, and abundant in benefit!"

Ways to Support

We are just two people: we welcome any support with
- tech during the event
- supporting participants when they get lost during the event
Get in touch if this calls you (reply to this email or write: hello@ifs-collective.com)

What about an In Person Event?

Good question. We are still looking for a location. We are not that great at logistics.
Get in touch if you can support with that. Or just invite us if you want to go ahead and organize it (reply to this email or write: hello@ifs-collective.com)

"Safe, welcoming, engaging, refreshing, inspiring. Recommended!"

Want to Host Your Own?

If you're inspired to host your own unconference (on parts work or any other topic), go and do it.
It’s possible. It is not too hard. It works.

We are happy to support if we can. The beauty of this format is that it can be adapted to virtually any topic or community.

"It was an amazing experience to try this new form of meeting like-minded people online and have discussions."

You can check our article on IFS and Facilitation: when facilitation works well, "it feels easy, and it feels amazing."

"This was my first 'Unconference' - it was organically beautiful and therapeutic for my parts. I highly recommend it if you are looking for community and find working with others engaging or challenging."

AND NOW FOR SOME SHAMELESS COMMERCIALISM

We do not organize the Unconference to make money, and yet some of our parts like being able to pay for bills and food. We do that by offering IFS therapy and IFS coaching sessions. (See here if you are curious about the difference; we wrote some posts about our approach). So if you feel called, or know someone that wants to dip into this world, feel free to explore booking a session with one of us.

1. to be honest, we LOVE having notable people coming and sharing.

2. if you have been with us for a while, you are allowed to smile about “the unexpected”. If you don’t, fill in the blank

3. too much, adds a part