A future search conference helps a group of people discover a set of shared values or themes called common ground and agree on a plan of action for implementing them. Because participants from all sectors of the community or organization are included in the process, it builds strong ownership and a powerful shared experience. A common vision of the organization that can withstand time is built. As a result, dynamics are established which encourage effective and self initiated implementation. The resistance to implementation and change that occurs when plans are rolled out from the "top" or from a group of "experts" is avoided In this case, it is the discoverers and creators of the vision that are implementing it. They own it and become advocates for it. It provides a fiine foundation for any community or organization looking for a common framework for moving forward, desiring to implement a plan or mandate, building a shared culture from a merger of cultures, organizing and managing change, confronting a difficult or challenging issue and many other challenges.