Generations Over Dinner - Unisus School

Generations Over Dinner at UNISUS

Weaving Threads of Connection Across Generations, February 2nd, 2024

Join us for an extraordinary evening of shared wisdom, inspiring conversations, and delectable gastronomy.

"Generations Over Dinner" at UNISUS is a unique occasion to connect meaningfully across generations, celebrating the infusion of youthful energy and timeless wisdom. Conversation will flow over a lovely 3 course dinner by our very own Chef Kyle, and will be accompanied by some beautiful local wines.

Embrace the Multigenerational Voyage
In an increasingly segregated world, this event reinforces the unifying power of shared experiences, aiming to bring together four generations to the table. We believe each generation holds a repository of rich experiences and unique perspectives that, when interwoven, can empower and inspire breathtaking ideas.

A Feast for the Mind and Soul
Just as our conversation bridges gaps between generations, our delectable three-course meal prepared by our very own Fairmont Chef Kyle, served amidst elegant surroundings promises to tantalize your taste buds, complemented with finely selected wine. Tickets are priced at $50, encapsulating a diverse range of culinary delights.

Engage in Insightful Discussions
In addition to providing a nurturing environment for generational connections, our event serves as a platform for insightful conversations that ignite change. The night’s discussions will revolve around the "Vital Signs" report findings by the Community Foundation of South Okanagan, which is poised to forge innovative solutions and initiatives to drive ample societal contributions.

Uniting Generations, One Meal at a Time
UNISUS students—our future leaders and change-makers—will form an integral part of this vibrant gathering, enhancing the discourse with their keen global perspectives and an unwavering commitment to lifelong learning.

Dinner Scripts

Our dinner scripts are inspired by the Generations over Dinner movement!

To begin the conversation:

Honour a generational ancestor. Think of a person who is no longer alive who had a powerful positive impact on your life. Take a couple minutes to tell us about this person, and share the impact they had on your life.

Spend the majority of your time together allowing each person to answer these questions. Note: speak from the heart, try to avoid a lot of cross-talk, and if a question makes you uncomfortable feel free to pass.

Follow with Discussion Topics:

Each table will have a dinner script which participants choose or are assigned specific follow up discussion topics to help foster that conversation. Of course, conversations will naturally flow and go into other areas, but these will help foster those important moments of learning through sharing generational experiences.

Discussion topic options

Wisdom and Vitality

Which generation are you? Share with the table one misconception you think people have about your generation…
Without over-thinking answer these questions. I'm too old to _____ . I'm too young to _____ .
What makes you feel most alive?
What has been your greatest failure? What have you learned from that experience?
What has been your greatest achievement, or what about yourself are you most proud of?
Tell the table a piece of wisdom you wish you could have told a younger version of yourself.

Work and Meaning

Which generation are you? Share with the table one misconception you think people have about your generation…
The CDC reports that only 1 out of 3 people have a clear reason to get up in the morning. What makes you jump out of bed in the morning? If you don’t have an obvious example, what do you think would make you jump out of bed in the morning? (Source: Richard Leider)
Do you love what you do for work? If so, what about your work gives you a sense of purpose? If not, what manner of work would give your life more meaning?
Studies show that having a core purpose in your life adds seven years to your expected life span. Our purpose is often related to a natural gift or talent we have always had within us. Do you think you have a gift? Share your thoughts with the table.
What do you want to be remembered for?

Money

Which generation are you? Share with the table one misconception you think people have about your generation…
What does success mean to you?
If you didn’t need to make money what would you do?
How do you feel your family's relationship to money has impacted you?
What opportunities do you think were denied to you because of gender, race, family connections and/or life experience? What opportunities were available to you because of gender, race, family connections and/or life experience?
What lessons have you learned about money and success that you would want to impart to future generations?

Problems and Solutions

Which generation are you? Share with the table one misconception you think people have about your generation…
What has been the greatest technological or social innovation during your lifetime? Focus on an innovation that has had the most impact on you personally and tell the table how it has changed your life.
What do you think is the greatest problem/crisis we face as humans? When you think about this problem how does that make you feel?
What is the belief system or piece of wisdom you most wish to impart to future generations? Asked another way: what is one thing that gives you hope for the Future.
If you have time left at your table consider this: you are waking up in the year 2122… What has changed?

Our Planet

Which generation are you? Share with the table one misconception you think people have about your generation…
How would you describe your relationship with the planet? Tell us about an experience in the past 5 years that gave you a deeper feeling of connection with nature.
Fifteen years from now, how will your life have fundamentally been altered due to climate change?
Is there a generational difference with respect to how we’re seeing and addressing climate change? Does this encourage or frustrate you? How might we unite in more effective ways?
How could we learn to become great ancestors?

Following with Vital Signs

We will interlude the dinner discussions with a short presentation from the Vital Signs community, highlighting key findings. This is presented by Community Foundation of South Okanagan.

Then discuss at your table:

What most surprised you most about the findings?
What is the topic that most impacts your generation and why?
What is one action that would make a difference in the local community in one of the key findings areas?

To end: Appreciation in the round. This begins by someone at the table turning to the person on their left, and telling them something you admire or respect about them. They might be a person you met tonight, so you can highlight something you heard them express during your time together. This will start a chain reaction that continues around the table, each person in turn admiring someone sitting on their left, until everyone has been appreciated.

Ultimately, "Generations Over Dinner" isn't just an event—it's a movement aimed at enhancing understanding and fostering shared learning across generations within the wonderful UNISUS community. This is your chance to be a part of the conversation that shapes the future, while mindfully celebrating the heritage of the past and the dynamism of the present.

Event Details:

Date: February 2nd, 2024

Where: UNISUS Dining Hall

Time: 6-9pm

Attire: Elegant Casual

Cost: $40 for one ticket, $75 for two

Secure your seat now, and let 'Generations Over Dinner' at UNISUS be your stepping stone to driving progressive change, one engaging conversation at a time.

Do you have questions?

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