Changes at Corporation for Positive Change

Positive change, at its best, is a bittersweet experience. There is joy and excitement about the new that is emerging – even when it is draped with uncertainty. At the same time, there is a sense of loss, wrapped in gentle gratitude for what has been. It is with this understanding that we write to share with you, our CPC colleagues, clients and friends, about changes that are taking place in CPC. As you will see as your read, Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom are now partners in Corporation for Positive Change; and along with a cadre of highly experienced associates we are planting the seeds of new products, services and collaborations.

The positive core of CPC is our high quality, client-oriented consulting, our lively keynote speeches, our workshop series and our certificate program in positive change – all of which will continue as we go forward. In the coming months, however, we add a number of new products to support appreciative inquiry practitioners and appreciative leadership in business, government, NGOs, education and healthcare world wide. In development are: a DVD of the recent Advances in AI workshop with sections on appreciative strategic planning, appreciative organization design, and sustaining positive change; a CD of the original AI workshop taught by Diana Whitney and David Cooperrider in Taos NM; a train-the-train process for the Appreciative Leadership Development Program; and more.

We believe that as the global reach of Appreciative Inquiry grows and the second generation of practitioners matures, so does the need for practical tools. Our plan is to extend our support to you - from consulting and training, to tools and materials. Your success leading positive change is at the heart of our success.

In addition, we are deepening our collaboration with other people and organizations. We appreciate our partnership with Human Value, Japan, as a model for extending the reach of CPC and Appreciative Inquiry globally. We look forward to sharing with you a series of innovative products and services derived from collaboration with other thought leaders and practitioners of positive change.

So how did we get here? As you may know, the year 2007 was one of great transition for us. It began with Diana Whitney’s move from Taos, NM to Chapel Hill, NC and the placement of our office administration into the able hands of our virtual assistant, Suzanne Fey-Gaiser. Many of you have already attended a workshop in Chapel Hill and given your approval to Diana’s new home town. And many more of you have talked to Suzanne and welcomed her to the CPC team.

By mid year we thought all was settled. And then the big changes began. Mike Mantel was promoted to Director of the Mid West Region for World Vision. With this great opportunity to extend the good work he was doing in Chicago, Mike chose to step out of his involvement with Corporation for Positive Change. We will miss Mike, and yet we know that thousands more people will benefit from his extraordinary leadership. Mike can now be reached at mmantel47@gmail.com.

Susan Wood followed soon thereafter. With family commitments and a dedication to health care consulting, especially nursing, Susan decided to continue her work as an independent consultant. She will continue as a great friend and collaborator of CPC when there is a project that can benefit by the alignment our strengths. Susan can be reached at susanowood@comcast.net.

After much consideration Jim Ludema also decided that it was time to leave CPC to focus his attention at Benedictine University where he is on the faculty. Jim will continue his work as a gifted educator and significant contributor to the field of appreciative inquiry by teaching, advising graduate students, writing and publishing. In addition, Jim is in the early stages of creating a Center for Positive Leadership and Change at Benedictine. We are looking forward to collaborating with Jim on this new endeavor. Jim can be reached at jludema@ben.edu.

Through all of this, we have learned much about change, reaffirmed our commitment to open communication based on sincere inquiry, and deepened our trust in where spirit is leading us. Corporation for Positive Change continues its journey as the premier consulting firm using Appreciative Inquiry for transformation and innovation in business, government, and non-profit organizations around the world – and a leading provider of consulting, workshops, books and products. We are glad you are making this journey with us. We look forward to working with you in 2008.