Welcome to the Applied Improvisation Network - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the AIN?

Who are the members of the AIN?

How do I become a member of the AIN?

What are the benefits of becoming an active part of the AIN community?

1. AIN Conferences
2. Discussion Groups
3. Member list
4. AIN Forum
5. AIN Website search (on the top right of the page)
6. Developing Projects

History of the AIN

Operation of the AIN

AIN Mission and Values

AIN Purpose

Our Shared Values

Feedback

 

What is the AIN?

The AIN (Applied Improvisation Network) is a community of practitioners and clients who value the use of improvisation skills in organizations to:

• improve relationships
• increase authenticity
• promote spontaneity
• foster trust
• build communities of practice

Who are the members of the AIN?

Our members are business professionals and academics who use improv tools, experience, and theory for human development and training in communities and organizations.

These applications include facilitating creativity and innovation, effective strategy, better relationships in teams, conflict resolution, leadership, coaching and storytelling.

Our network includes consultants, managers, trainers, coaches, facilitators, performers and academics.

How do I become a member of the AIN?

It’s easy. There are no dues to pay, nor an official form to fill out. You become a member simply by participating in our network and activities.

 

You can begin by introducing yourself. Create your profile by clicking on « My Page » on the navigation bar at the top of this page and enter your details. Then you can connect with other members of AIN. You search for a member, then click on « Add as a contact » or invite external people to AIN (Click on « Invite more »).

What are the benefits of becoming an active part of the AIN community?

The AIN offers its members:

• Support, community, and encouragement as we develop this exciting new field of work in organizations and communities
• A thriving resource for best practices, learning, ideas, new applications, and the education of newcomers
• Inspiration that contributes to the vitality and momentum of our members and our clients
• A continuous raising of the level of practice and understanding
• Assistance in advancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of improv in business via education, networking and research,.

 

Specifically:

1. AIN Conferences

Many members will tell you that the greatest benefit to AIN is attending the AIN conferences held each year in North America and Europe. These conferences provide networking opportunities, professional development seminars on the many different uses of improvisation in organizations, and workshops on the art and craft of improv for your own personal development. Click on « Conferences » on the navigation bar at the top of this page to discover more about future and past conferences, both in Europe and North America

2. Discussion Groups

Click on « Groups » on the navigation bar at the top of this page to see the list of current groups. This social network offers great ways to share best practices, questions and gossip with improvisational colleagues around the world.

3. Member list

Click on « Members » on the navigation bar at the top of this page to see the list of current members and discover who shares your particular interests.

4. AIN Forum

Use our Forum to post blogs or start a discussion on any topic. Search discussions for interesting threads.

5. AIN Website search (on the top right of the page)

Search our website for great Articles, Research, Links and Events of interest.

6. Developing Projects

Got a great idea on how to utilize AIN? Contact others via the Forum or at the conference, then get to work!

For example, there’s a marketing group working on bringing more clients to each member's business! Then there are conference planning groups, and an informal leadership group that discusses AIN policy.

 

History of the AIN

The AIN was founded in 2002 by Alain Rostain, Paul Z Jackson and Michael Rosenburg. We put together a mailing list, a newsletter and then gathered a group of 30 or so pioneering improvisers for our first conference in San Diego.

Our first website www.appliedimprov.net was created by Johnnie Moore. Our real-life and virtual community has grown year by year, with a series of conferences and roadshows in North America and Europe.

In November 2007, the website and blog moved to the social network appliedimprov.ning.com created during the Banff conference by Leif Hansen.

Operation of the AIN

The AIN operates entirely by the efforts of its members. We apply improvisational principles to our own activities. Somebody initiates something and if others decide to join in, then it builds. We follow the energy. Everything about the AIN has started spontaneously and emerged organically.

For formal purposes, we have an elected board – which you can learn more about on the website, by clicking the board group.

All contributions to enhancing the AIN are voluntary, and anyone with a passion can join and contribute to the various organising teams – to produce conferences, marketing materials, discussion themes and so forth.

Mission and Values

Here's our current statement of mission and values.

Our members are business professionals and academics who use improv tools, experience, and theory for human development and training in communities and organizations.

These applications may include—but are not limited to—facilitating creativity, innovation, effective strategy, organizational vitality and alignment, better relationships, conflict resolution, and storytelling.

Purpose

These expressions of shared values and promises are intended to be a living document, providing meaningful and relevant service to community members as a:

• Touchstone to help working groups make good quality decisions about community projects such as the annual conference, research projects, training programs, knowledge sharing efforts, etc.
• Starting place for designing communications, PR messages, recruiting new members, recruiting corporate sponsors for research, and promoting the legitimacy of our practice.

Our Shared Values

You will find members of our community tend to believe

 

• In the power of improv practice to improve the quality of human lives, communities, and organizational relationships;
• The experiential value of play, spontaneity, and intuition promotes personal and professional growth, and nurtures innovation;
• Co-creativity is a life-skill that helps individuals live more meaningfully, and drives organizational performance;
• Improv’s emphasis on generosity, cooperation, trust, and experimentation counterbalances fear, and releases creativity;
• These benefits are open to all people — at any age, any walk of life, and especially to those who have never done it before!
  
  

 

The AIN offers its members:

• Support, community, and encouragement as we develop the field;
• A practical resource for best practices, learning, ideas, new applications, and the education of newcomers;
• Inspiration that contributes to the vitality and momentum of this body of practice, and attracts new practitioners and clients;
• Assistance in advancing the legitimacy and effectiveness of improv in business via education, networking, research, etc.

Feedback

You are welcome to help us improve this statement. Please send a message through the website to Leif Hansen