Upcoming Events -- MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

• Being AI: A Spiritual Retreat for Change Agents, July 18-21, Chapel Hill, NC
• Appreciative Inquiry Creativity Salon, August 27-30, Taos, NM
• Advances in Appreciative Inquiry, October 8-10, Chapel Hill, NC
• The Institute for Management Studies (IMS) One-day Appreciative Inquiry workshops

CPC Consulting News

Diana Whitney and Amanda Trosten-Bloom have designed an Appreciative Management program which they are delivering to hundreds of managers in five different locations for a privately-held, mid-sized US company. The program introduces AI concepts, providing opportunities to practice three essential leadership skills. Participants are adapting what they've learned in a variety of ways, including employee satisfaction programs, as well as measurement and review systems."

Within the Goromonzi Rural District of Zimbabwe, there are approximately 650 orphans; many have been orphaned due to AIDS.The Goromonzi Project is a 501-C3 United States based non-profit organization that was started in October 2005 to provide these orphans with food and education. Beginning in April, CPC consultant Tish Wilson facilitated a series of AI sessions with youth, teachers and leaders of the newly formed God Help Us Children’s Organization (GHUCO). Participants launched variety of initiatives, garnering immediate and long-term benefit to the community.  They envisioned a future infrastructure that included a hospital, market, schools and electricity -  in which Goromonzi is a model for other communities in Zimbabwe and around the world.

Participants in Goromonzi’s Children’s Day of Activities: 300 orphans from the surrounding area made headresses from150 pounds of donated craft ribbon.

"The youth are the future of Gormonzi and Zimbabwe," says Wilson. "Many of them are heads of household at ages 12 and 13.  Their visions for the future are awe-inspiring; and given the energy, wisdom and experience that they bring, they can be counted on to live into the future they have imagined." 

Amanda Trosten-Bloom has begun a long-term project with the Technology team of a global information technology organization. The purpose of the work is to build positive partnerships across functions, locations and levels that will enhance the quality and speed with which products and services are delivered, and prepare the organization for rapid pending growth through acquisitions.

In Appreciation...

Boulder County Aging Services takes Silver Award.  Boulder County Aging Services and the senior services divisions of the cities of Boulder, Erie, Lafayette, Longmont and Louisville were selected by the Denver Regional Council of Governments as the Planning with Vision Silver Winners for its collaborative strategic plan, Creating Vibrant Communities in Which we All Age Well. This plan, which was based on a year-long Appreciative Inquiry process entitled Greeting our Future, garnered widespread support from elders, caregivers, service providers, businesses, and legislators.  The award was presented during the 2007 Local Government Awards dinner in Lakewood, CO.

Members of the Greeting Our Future Project Leadership Team, receiving their awards (from left): Phil Hernandez, Theresa Schulte, Sarah Rebman, Mary Johnson, Diane Evans, Michele Waite, Claudine Low, and Amanda Trosten-Bloom (consultant).  Not pictured: Rosemary Williams (project director).

Return to top >>

CPC on the Podium!

Diana Whitney will deliver the keynote address at this year’s Association of Unity Churches International Convention, June 19, 2007. With a theme of Unity in Unity: One in Spirit, the convention is open to ministers, licensed teachers, board members and lay people.   Daily and half-day rates are available. For more information or to register visit http://www.unity.org/conf.html.

Participate in Jim Ludema’s 2½ -day Appreciative Leadership workshop, featured at the Taos Institute Summer Workshop Series, June 24-29 on the campus of the University of New Hampshire in Durham, NH. For more information go to http://www.taosinstitute.net.

This year’s Academy of Management Annual Meeting in Philadelphia, PA, August 3-8 features two CPC high points.  The first is a symposium, 20 Years of Appreciative Inquiry: The Best of the Past, Present, and Future, featuring an all-star cast of Jim Ludema, David Cooperrider, Ron Fry, Gervase Bushe, and Tojo Thatchenkery. The second is a paper delivered by Jim Ludema and Marie DiVirgilio on Creating Energy for Action through Conversation. For more information go to http://www.aomonline.org.

If your organization is a member of The Institute for Management Studies (IMS) register now to attend one of the upcoming day-long Appreciative Inquiry workshops with Diana Whitney. Most recently delivered in Cleveland and Detroit, these workshops continue to build awareness and energy for AI in the US, Scotland and the UK. To learn more about The Institute for Management Studies and to see Diana’s schedule, please visit the following link:
http://www.ms-online.com/widgets/search/outline.asp?id=whitney1

Jim Ludema delivers a keynote address on Appreciative Inquiry and the Practice of Positive Change at the 2007 Global OD Summit in Shenyang, China, September 6-11. On September 6 and 7, he also leads pre-conference workshops on An Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry and Appreciative Leadership. For more information go to http://www.aodn.org.

The 2007 International Appreciative Inquiry Conference in Orlando, FL, September 16-19, features Jim Ludema and Diana Whitney, along with colleagues Ron Fry and Frank Barrett, delivering a keynote panel and pre-conference workshop on The Appreciative Inquiry Summit Methodology.  For more information go to http://www.2007aiconference.com. 

Return to top >>

Putting Training to Work

The Community Development Institute’s (CDI’s) Head Start program provides interim management of Head Start programs whose local grants have been suspended or terminated because of financial, health or safety issues.  As such, they work with programs that are in deep financial and cultural trouble. Families and staff members are often depressed, angry and resistant to the changes CDI might bring.

Roman Cruz, a Site Manager for CDI, had just such an experience when he accepted oversight of a Head Start center in South Texas, in late February. “Everyone seemed shell-shocked,” says Cruz of his first few weeks.  “Every time I gave them positive feedback, they recoiled.  They were afraid to talk about what was going wrong, for fear hurting people’s feelings or being punished.”

That was when Cruz, along with fellow Site Manager Bev Conley, went through CPC’s Foundations in Appreciative Inquiry workshop.  They learned the basic theory of AI, and how to apply it to their unique challenge in South Texas.  They designed an inquiry entitled “High Ways to Communication,” which they brought back to the facility a few weeks later.

Their design was straightforward but powerful:

• Introduction to Appreciative Inquiry
• Past successes, in CDI and elsewhere
• Interviews
• Sharing of stories
• Articulation of values
• Personal and organizational commitments

According to Cruz, the process was deep and rich. "I overheard two leaders speaking at the end of the interview. 'We’ve been working together for 25 years,' said one, 'and I feel like I just met you!' Similarly, the Program Director – who had been in the center for 12 years – was reminded of her initial hopes and dreams, of things she had lost along the way and what she wanted to bring back.  It was a magical few hours, and the magic has stuck." 

What have been the effects?  They’ve stabilized, fiscally.  They’ve moved the administrators to a new office that’s comfortable and inviting for staff and families alike.  People throughout the center are more engaged and positive – like the receptionist, who used to hide from the public, but who’s starting to come out of her shell.   

Perhaps the most important changes they’ve seen have been in people’s relationships with their community and families.  People reported feeling positive and empowered in their dealings with local businesses.  The 12-year Program Director has started imagining how Appreciative Inquiry could help the local community to see itself differently, and to become a better place to live. 

As for Cruz, he is anxious to continue his training in AI.  "The Foundations course had immediate application to the challenges I was facing.  I’m anxious to learn more, so that I in turn can do more with my clients."

Return to top >>

Dear CPC: a source for ongoing capacity-building, questions and answers

Dear CPC:

Periodically, my corporate clients feel distanced or confused by the language of the 4-D cycle.  Since our words are intended to stimulate rather than obscure meaning, can you offer other words that might supplement or elaborate on the 4-D terms?

Bill Scott 
    WJS Consulting
Surrey, BC

Dear Bill:

I agree with you that language should be used to create shared meaning. Though I only rarely hear the kinds of concerns you’re describing, I expect you’re not alone in this experience.  Rather than running a translation, let me offer another take on what’s happening in each of the phases so that you might find yourself better able to frame what’s happening in culturally appropriate terms – whoever you’re with, whatever you’re doing.

Discovery, in my mind, is about history – about looking backwards.  We’re exploring past experience, both individually and organizationally.  We’re learning from and appreciating what has been and what is – and of course, doing this by gathering stories of success.

The Positive Core analysis is an inward-looking process.  It’s about making meaning of our past experiences (our stories), and identifying what makes us unique and good.

The Dream phase is about looking forward – about collectively envisioning a future we want to live in.  Ideally, of course, it’s a future that is built on – that leverages – the best of who we are (our positive core). 

Design is about taking positive practices that may previously have been accidental or periodic, and finding ways to make them them everyday and ordinary.  I’ve periodically referred to it as “institutionalization,” though it carries with it some negative connotations.  In essence, during design, we’re identifying the underlying systems, structures and processes that will enable us to repeat our successes and achieve our dreams (visions / goals).

Destiny often involves the development of tactics through which we implement designs.  As such, we sometimes call it Delivery.  But it’s more than traditional tactical and action planning, which is why the Destiny phrase is so a propos.  At its best, Destiny is about taking inventory of and celebrating the changes that have already taken place.  It’s about building organizational capacity for innovation, improvization, and celebration – or, to use the title of Richard Pascale’s recent book, to surf on the edge of chaos.  Far from being the “end” of the process, it’s (at best) the beginning of a long-term transformation.

Our AI friends and colleagues periodically remind us all that AI isn’t just about the 4-D cycle . . . it’s a mindset, a philosophy, and a series of practices that transform human systems for the good.  So if the cycle itself obstructs understanding, feel free to modify that as well.  Hopefully these insights will help you to describe what it’s about in terms that will work for your audience.

Sincerely yours, 

Amanda Trosten-Bloom
for the CPC team

Do YOU have a question for CPC? If so, contact us at office@positivechange.org. We will answer it in a future Appreciative Inquiries.

Return to top >>

CPC Certificate Program: Appreciative Inquiry and the Practice of Positive Change

Congratulations, Judith Light! In addition to having gained strong Appreciative Inquiry skills, Judith is a Certified Management Consultant and a Fellow of the Institute of Management Consultants.  Stay tuned (in the next edition of Appreciative Inquiries) for Judith’s case study describing a significant AI initiative she’s just finished facilitating.

And welcome, Rebecca Heckman – our most recent enrollee!  You’re the latest addition to this international community of AI practitioners. 

Are you interested in Appreciative Inquiry and the Practice of Positive Change?  Visit our web site (http://www.positivechange.org) for our new program brochure, along with the 2007 schedule and call-in information for quarterly coaching calls.

Return to top >>

2007 Workshops Scheduled

Registrations are still being accepted for the Being AI retrea in Chapel Hill, NC.  Join Diana Whitney in this one-of-a-kind program for change agents wishing to integrate their spiritual beliefs into positive change practices for transforming organizations and communities.

2007 Workshops

Workshop descriptions and details are posted at www.positivechange.org.

Return to top >>

Books and Publications

Big news! Masterpieces in Health Care Leadership: Cases and Analysis for Best Practices was released in early May. Profiling nine successful healthcare organizations, this book describes in vivid detail how leaders nurture and reward their staff and provide support structures that lead to high patient satisfaction and continuous quality improvement. With a chapter by Susan Wood and a Foreword by Diana Whitney, Masterpieces in Health Care Leadership is a must-have for your AI library. To purchase at a 20% discount, go to this page and enter “davinci” upon checkout.

Check out other leading books on Appreciative Inquiry and positive change by CPC consultants at our Web site, http://www.positivechange.org/appreciative-inquiry-books.html.

Also, go to http://www.AppreciativeLiving.com for more information on Jackie Kelm’s study on joy, or to purchase her book Appreciative Living. 

Finally, subscribe to the AI Practitioner, the only newsletter on the practice of Appreciative Inquiry.

About Corporation for Positive Change

Corporation for Positive Change (CPC) is the premier consulting firm using Appreciative Inquiry for transformation and innovation in business, government, and non-profit organizations around the world. For more information about CPC, or to contact any of our consultants, please visit our Web site at http://www.positivechange.org.

Return to top >>