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IDEAS, NEWS AND RESOURCES | December 2018
We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter which includes constructionist ideas and practices as well as news and resources from the Taos Institute.
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Brief Encounters with The Taos Institute
December 2018
This month we welcome Sally St. George and Dan Wulff, Taos Institute Board members, as they share reflections on the Taos 25 anniversary and conference - Show and Tell - Taos Style... and on ways to "Do Taos"....
By Sally St. George and Dan Wulff
Reflecting on the Taos25 Conference in Cancun last month, we continue to marvel at the Friday night "Show and Tell" event. With all the important conversations going on in the workshops, restaurants, and hallways, the performances on Friday night stand out to us as something unique. Amidst the thoughtful and generative conversations about important issues in our world, Show and Tell created a space for people to perform on "different wavelengths"-to show another side of themselves and to risk performing it in public. A conference revolving around ideas of social constructionism could become quite "heady" so to see people dancing, doing stand-up comedy, singing, playing the clarinet, doing improv, performing "spoken word," Japanese calligraphy, and creating a Taos25 dance routine seemed in marked contrast. Or was it?
The avenues to express our ideas, in particular social constructionist ideas, are not limited to the cognitive or intellectual. As whole persons, expressing ourselves in the myriad ways that people can express themselves seems fair game. The Show and Tell event provided a space for different forms of relating to each other and the audience (of around 65 people) was integral to the event too. The crowd reaction to each performance provided valuable encouragement and appreciation for the performers who were "risking" it-stepping out of customary or comfortable ways of relating to reveal parts of themselves that are less often shared at academic conferences.
So could we suggest that the Show and Tell night was more than just entertainment and fun? (It certainly was those things!) It was a chance to perform other aspects of who we are, who we think we are, who we would like to be. It is a chance to try on relating with others in a "different key" - a key that may be unfamiliar to you and/or to others. In a world of rehearsed, structured, or preferred ways to be in the world, this was a chance to experiment with yourself and
how to relate with others. We are reminded of our colleague and friend, Frank Barrett, who so skillfully demonstrates being in the moment with his jazz piano. Even jazz piano can be scripted, but Frank encourages us to "say yes to the mess" - to be more in the moment and spontaneous. It takes courage to "let go" and risk being with others in less controlled and strategic ways.
Our point in this little piece is to valorize being "more" than what we think we are-to relish all aspects of our relational potential. We are so grateful to the performers at Show and Tell at Taos25 (and the enthusiastic audience) for showing us a little bit more of themselves. We think this is another way to "do" Taos.
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Taos Institute Events and Gatherings
The Many Ways to Get Involved...So many exciting opportunities coming up...We hope you take a look here...
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All are welcome to join in this International Learning Festival! Part 3 of an ongoing series that focuses on how our educational systems and practices can meet the needs of youth now and in the future.
Location: Hogeschool De Kempel, Helmond, The Netherlands
We hope you join in this important conference!
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The 4th International Congress on
Collaborative-Dialogic Practice
June 27-29, 2019
CALL FOR PROPOSALS
Submit your Proposal Now!
Historic Brno, Czech Republic
Please join colleagues from around the world interested in Collaborative-Dialogic and related Practices at the 4th International Congress in historic Brno, Czech Republic, June 26-29. We will focus on the exploration and practice of Collaborative-Dialogic Practice across contexts, cultures, and disciplines. We invite you to submit a proposal addressing our theme: inviting connection, conversation, creativity.
Theme: Inviting connection, conversation, creativity in education, psychotherapy, research and organizations and other topics of interest.
Save the Date and plan to join with hundreds of practitioners, academics and students in Brno, Czech Republic!
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Relational Constructionism, Inquiry, and the Arts of Transformative Change
Date: March 5 - 7, 2019
Location: The Malvern Hills, Herefordshire, England
Presenters: Dian Marie Hosking and Sheila McNamee
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Exploring Relational Theory and Practices,
a 6-week online course with Ken and Mary Gergen
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REGISTER NOW TO SECURE YOUR PLACE IN THE COURSE.
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An Inquiry into Relational Leading Practice,
an 5-week online course,
with Ginny Belden-Charles
- Social Construction: Premises and Promises - a 6-week online course, with Celiane Camargo-Borges
Friends of the Taos Institute Workshops and Events
- Crossing Borders - Linking Lives - 5th European+ Conference | Narrative Therapy and Community Work - NCD2 -
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The Taos Institute's International
Diploma in Social Construction and Professional Practice
Open Information Call
Tuesday, January 15, 2019 at 4:00 PM US Eastern time
You are invited to join an
information call to learn about the Taos Institute's
International Diploma in Social Construction and Professional Practice
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Come with your questions and curiosity -
This program is for you if:
- You are looking an opportunity to explore an area of interest, and complete an engaging project and not a university degree.
- You are looking for a coach, mentor or advisor with whom to work on a project or research you have been thinking about doing but need support to move forward.
- You want to engage with others from around the world, in a virtual learning environment.
- You are looking for a community that shares your views, ideas, and values around collaboration, appreciation and relational capacity.
- You work well with self-motivation, and self-driven learning objectives.
- You want to increase your skills, challenge yourself, and learn something new.
Register in advance for this meeting. Click here.
After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the meeting.
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6-week Online Course with
Ken and Mary Gergen
EXPLORING RELATIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICES
- MONDAYS, February 4 - March 11, 2019
About the Course:
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Relational theory now provides cutting edge ideas relevant to practices across the professions. The major theoretical shift is from the traditional focus on individuals to the relational processes that are co-produced. This 6-week online course introduces common premises and orienting ideas central to relational theory. The course consists of six modules with online conference meetings, readings, videos and online dialogues.
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Weekly live calls, readings, videos, activities, learning partner conversations, online learning platform with weekly commenting.
- Week 1 - Module 1: Relational Theory: Why Now?
- Week 2 - Module 2: The Mind as Relationship
- Week 3 - Module 3: Multi-being: Ourselves with Others
- Week 4 - Module 4: Dialogue: In Theory and Practice
- Week 5 - Module 5: Putting Relational Theory to Work
- Week 6 - Module 6: Relational Ethics in Action
About the Presenters:
- Kenneth J. Gergen, Research Professor in Psychology, Swarthmore College; President of the Taos Institute; Internationally known author, noted for his work on social constructionist and relational theory.
- Mary Gergen, Professor Emerita, Psychology & Women's Studies; Penn State University, Brandywine; Author and editor of works in social construction, feminist theory, and arts-based inquiry.
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Join with many practitioners and scholars from various dialogic practices who are coming together to share, learn, and laugh together.
Who's coming? People like you who care about how to make our everyday lives even better than yesterday. People who are in the space of social construction, collaborative dialogue, narrative practice, brief coaching and counselling, and many more. Parents, teachers, leaders, consultants, and facilitators. You got it, anyone can come and everyone will experience something meaningful and transformative in sharing stories, views, and our journeys together.
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World Appreciative Inquiry Conference
Nice, France, March 19 - 22, 2019
Generating Constructive Conversations for the Common Good
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relationships and conversations that make a difference
ISSUE 8 Now Available!
Open access online journal
Articles in both English and Spanish
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WorldShare Books includes publications in English, Spanish, Italian, German, Chinese, Arabic, and even Farci.
Donate to the Peggy Penn WorldShare Books Fund
This fund helps to cover the expenses of offering these online books free of charge to anyone in the world.
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Paths to Positive Aging: Dog Days with a Bone and Other Essays
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by Mary and Ken Gergen
Mary and Ken Gergen are devoted to the cause of reinventing aging. To focus on the gains of aging is to realize that the later years are among the richest and most rewarding of one's life. In their dedication to this reconstruction, the Gergens publish the Positive Aging Newsletter, an electronic newsletter, available in seven languages (
www.positiveaging.net).
In this book, the Gergens share ideas and experiences designed to inspire others as they age.
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Communicating Possibilities:
A Brief Introduction to the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM)
by Ilene Wasserman and Beth Fisher-Yoshida
Communicating Possibilities is an introduction to the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM), a practical theory which at its roots, is an approach to looking at our social interactions. In the process of stepping back to look at our interactions and how we construct our social worlds, we open possibilities of alternative paths and outcomes. CMM offers tools and frameworks to use so when we pause and notice what we are making together and how, we open up spaces to make better choices with more desirable relationships each turn of the way.
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First Appreciative Inquiry Book for Kids - STAN AND THE FOUR FANTASTIC POWERS
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by Shira Levy, Marge Schiller, Sarah Schiller, Max Schiller, with illustrations by Stefanie Rudolph
Stan and The Four Fantastic Powers presents readers with a new way of looking at their world and the possibility of becoming change agents. Appreciative Inquiry encourages the use of positive questioning, collaboration, curiosity, and creativity, using the AI 4-D cycle represented through Stan's Four Fantastic Powers:
* ME Power: discovering strengths
* SEE Power: dreaming future possibilities
* WE Power: working as a team to develop goals and a plan
* DO Power: delivering the plan
For more information
→
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Sign up for this free newsletter in the following languages:
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By focusing on the positive aspects of aging, and the availability of resources, skills, and resiliencies, research not only brings useful insights into the realm of practice but creates hope and empowers action among older people. By moving beyond practices of repair and prevention, to emphasize growth-enhancing activities, practitioners also contribute more effectively to the societal reconstruction of aging.
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Join the Taos Institute NING Online Community website
Participate in online conversations, share resources, ask questions, connect with others doing similar work. Also, we feature special events on this community website.
Join in many different forums, groups and conversations:
1. Taos Institute Europe
2. Collaborative Governance
3. Relational Learning
4. Relational Research
5. Taos Latin America
6. Intergenerativity and Innovation
and many more at:
http://taoslearning.ning.com/
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Welcome (Bienvenidos) to the International Journal of Collaborative Practices. The Journal brings together members of a growing international community of practitioners, scholars, educators, researchers, and consultants interested in postmodern collaborative practices.
Sponsored by Taos Institute and Houston Galveston Institute
Issue 8- Available Now in English and Spanish -
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You can help to make a difference...
In a world needing more opportunities for collaborative, appreciative and dialogic practices, you can make a difference by supporting the Taos Institute's efforts to bring about more promising futures.
Help us to continue our work in:
- Creating and Expanding Collaborative Practices Globally
- Promoting Dialogic Means for Reducing Conflict
- Providing Degree and Diploma Opportunities for Practitioners
- Offering Cutting Edge Publications in Multiple Languages: Free or at Low Cost
- Generating Resources for Positive Aging
- Creating Global Forums and Conferences for Constructing New Futures
- Creating scholarship programs for students in need
Given the current global context into which we are moving, we feel the work in which we are engaged is more important than ever. We hope you can join with us as we continue to develop resources to aid the global community in co-creating more viable futures.
The Taos Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible in the US.
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The Taos Institute's mission is to bring together scholars and practitioners concerned with the social processes essential for the construction of reason, knowledge, and human value.
We are committed to exploring, developing and disseminating ideas and practices that promote creative, appreciative and collaborative processes in families, communities and organizations around the world through a social constructionist lens.
We look forward to your participation in the dialogue.
Keep up with our updates!
Dawn Dole, Executive Director
The Taos Institute
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