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IDEAS, NEWS AND RESOURCES | May 2017
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
May 2017
This month we welcome Sue Levin and Adriana Gil-Wilkerson, ICCP directors, (International Certificate in Collaborative-Dialogic Practices) as they reflect on ...
by Adriana Gil-Wilkerson, MS, and Sue Levin, Ph.D. and our many conversational partners who we have brought home with us in memories,
new practices and in our dreams.
For those who were not able to venture to the volcanic island of Tenerife, in the Canary Islands, for the ICCP Congress in March, we will share some of our brief and special memories. Arriving to Tenerife was an adventure, as it took many of us long and multiple flights, the last which had to come through Europe. People arrived from more than 40 countries, including a whole delegation from Beijing, China, who came to the pre-conference day straight from the airport. The ICCP program in Beijing is unofficial, due to some governmental challenges, but it is very strong. One of their tired students volunteered for a consultation in our workshop on Walk-In and Single Session Therapy that day, and reported she wanted the consultation to "keep her awake." Awake we all became, as we bridged language, culture, and other differences, to make the consultation meaningful. This small example became a metaphor for us, for the whole experience at the conference. How can we stay awake to each other, when we do not know each other, when we do not speak the same language, or come from the same time zone? We found that our mutual interests and inquiries led to sleeplessness and late nights, as we were awake to new ideas, new people and new practices.
We needed to be awake, as the conference schedule was almost 12 hours long, from 9am to 9pm, with a few hours for lunch, all included and taking place on the campus of the ULL (University of La Laguna) in Santa Cruz. It is a very comfortable campus that includes outside space in which we often sat to soak up the sun and the conversation(s). Our hosts and conference planners, Josep Segui and his capable and welcoming team worked hard for two years pulling together all of the resources, organizational pieces, cultural offerings, to engage us in fun and friendship from the first welcome. With almost 400 participants, it was easier to be in a conversation than it was to not be in one.
The sense of belonging to a community of learners and practitioners from such different backgrounds was awe inspiring.
Many of these long days were followed by long nights, wandering lovely streets, sitting in cafes, and eating wonderful local foods, usually from the sea.
Some of our favorite moments of the conference had to do with hearing, from practitioners, researchers, and learners from all over the world about how they used Collaborative Practices in their work and daily lives. We had many sessions from which to choose, our only regret is that we did not get to attend all of those wonderful presentations. We did greedily inquire about what others attended to engage in conversation about what else was offered that we could not attend- even these conversations were enriching and energizing. Some of us also talked about making waves in our respective communities of professionals and created a vivid picture of the metaphor and how we might continue generating waves that reach further and more different contexts.
The last morning of the conference, we were awakened by the surprising vocals of Harlene Anderson singing "Oh what a beautiful morning". Knowing Harlene for many years, and attending many conferences with her, this was the first time we heard her sing. We can only imagine how excited and happy she must have been to wake us up in this way.
In the whole experience we were reminded of a quote by Paul Valery, a French Philosopher and Poet, "The best way to make your dreams come true is to wake up."
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Taos Institute Events and Gatherings - The Many Ways to Get Involved.....
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Attractor/Taos Summer Institute
Leadership in Turbulent Times
For information visit:
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This Fall...
at University College Zaeland, Roskilde, Denmark
Nov. 16-17, 2017
Sharing, exploring and creating new ideas and practices...
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Workshops
Taos Institute Workshops
- Social Construction, Relational Theory and Transformative Change Practice | June 2-14, 2017, with Ken and Mary Gergen, in their home in Wallingford, PA
- Summer Institute: An Experiential Learning Community in Postmodern / Social Construction Transforming Collaborative-Dialogic Practices across Cultures, Contexts & Disciplines, June 18 - 22, Cancun, Mexico, with Harlene Anderson
- Social Construction, Relational Theory and Transformative Practices | October 5-7, 2017, with Harlene Anderson and Sheila McNamee, in Durham, NH
Friends of the Taos Institute Workshops and Events
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Discover Development NYC -
A symposium, workshop & exploration of New York City's Development Community,
with Lois Holzman -
May 19-21, 2017.
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H E A L I N G V O I C E S, New York City - May 13, 2017, 3:00 PM
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SOCIAL CONSTRUCTION: THEORY AND PRACTICE, with Sheila McNamee and Ottar Ness, Norway, Dragvoll Campus - May 15-16, 2017
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MAD IN AMERICA - New York City - June 9, 2017, 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM
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AN AI CELEBRATION OF APPRECIATIVE VOICES FOR OUR TIMES: An Annual Homecoming for the AI Community - AI is Made for These Challenging Times
August 11-13, 2017, in Burlington, VT
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Other Learning Opportunities
Looking for intellectual excitement
...a way to do some serious reflection on your practice
...a period to prepare for possible PhD study
...support in doing research of your choice
...all with the guidance of a highly trained scholar
then consider...
The Taos Institute Diploma
in the Study of Professional Practice
A two-year program designed to allow seasoned professionals to work independently on a project related to their personal interests.
Advised by a Taos associate holding a PhD, participants create
a project and a program that fulfill their specific interests and needs.
Final projects, designed from a social constructionist perspective, can be a text, video, website, research report, or other creative form. Participants work independently, but are encouraged to connect with other members of the Taos community. Each semester they may attend a Taos Institute workshop or other offering free of registration fees.
After receiving the diploma, participants are invited to become Taos Institute associates, with all the opportunities that are available to them.
The first semester has just begun, and the application for the next semester ends July 1. To learn more, check out the Taos Institute website
www.taosinstitute.net/diploma-programs or talk to a Taos representative. Mary Gergen, (
gv4@psu.edu) is the director of the program.
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What's New?
We are thrilled to bring you our newest publication:
Communicating Possibilities: A Brief Introduction to the Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM)
by Ilene Wasserman and Beth Fisher-Yoshido
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. This book offers ways we can better notice how we shape our lives through the stories we create in our ongoing conversations, and, hopefully strengthen the quality of our communities at all levels. Order the book today at:
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What's Exciting?
Positive Aging Newsletter Publishes the 100th Issue
The first Positive Aging Newsletter was published in 2001 and this year, in 2017, the first issue of the year was a landmark issue. Number 100!
Now translated into 9 languages, the readership is in the thousands. The newsletter is dedicated to
presenting good news about aging well and continues to be edited by Ken and Mary Gergen. It's a wonderful resource for all of us.
To check out the 100th issue and all the archives or to sign up to receive it in your inbox, go to
www.positiveaging.net
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Honor Given to Taos Institute Board Member
Dr. Kenneth J. Gergen
Please join us in congratulating Kenneth Gergen as he is named the 2017 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient of the Graduate School at Duke University.
See the full honor and an historical look at Ken's impact on the field of psychology at:
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International Relational Research Network Meeting and Global Dialogue
Announcing a Summer Article Reading
and
Discussion Series
Several times a month (June, July, August) we will be offering an opportunity to read a scholarly article or chapter on research, and invite you into a conversation about that article. This summer reading series is open to everyone.
Details: For all the details including host, article, date and time of the conversation please visit the Taos Institute website at:
www.taosinstitute.net/relational-research-network
Explore - Engage - Dialogue - Share - Create
- How is doing research from a relational perspective influencing how you think about and do research?
- If relationships and relational processes are central in your research, how does this change how you design your research?
- How do you see yourself as doing research from a relational perspective? What does that mean?
- How can we create a global network to explore relational researching practitioners?
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AI Celebration: An Annual Homecoming for Anyone Interested in Appreciative Inquiry - All are welcome!
Come to Burlington, VT for...
A CELEBRATION OF APPRECIATIVE VOICES FOR OUR TIMES!
AI was made for these challenging times. This year our theme is one that can't be ignored: voicing the appreciative -- in conversation, in media, in public forums, in organizational life, in community shaping. How do we create space and opportunity for conversations across divides, across borders, across values and visions that can help create a world we want to live in? How do we contribute?
$50 discount for the first 40 to register by May 15th.
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Check out our Newest Books:
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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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The Magic of Organizational Life
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by Mette Vinther Larsen
The Magic of Organisational Life
is a story that invites you to look at your everyday work life through new eyes. It allows you to reflect upon well-known organisational, strategic and managerial challenges from a magical perspective. This perspective emphasizes what our imagination can do, if only we set it free. The Magic of Organisational Life
gently reminds us of our capacity to create flourishing ways of being at work.
For more information
→
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Sign up for this free newsletter in the following languages:
- English
- Spanish
- Danish
- German
- French
- Chinese
- Portuguese
- Greek
- Italian
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
I
ssue 7- Available Now in English and Spanish -
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We are thrilled to bring you all the WorldShare Books and we hope you will take a few minutes to download your free copies today.
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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The Spring 2017 issue of AI Practitioner, "Businesses, Schools and Communities as Agents of World Benefit"
, is almost ready and it's the biggest AI Practitioner ever!
In this issue Amanda Trosten-Bloom, Ilene Wasserman, Malcolm & Marcia Odell, Bliss Browne, Joan McArthur-Blair & Jeanie Cockell and Tobias Schüth reflect on articles written over the last two decades and share their thoughts about the long-term results, for clients and practitioners, of earlier projects involving strengths-based interventions. If you subscribe now, you already find these 'historic' articles in your account to warm up for 135 page issue later this month!
https://aipractitioner.com/
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You can make a difference...
These are challenging times, and 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 Opportunities for Practitioners
- Offering Cutting Edge Publications in Multiple Languages: Free or at Low Cost
- Generating Resources for Positive Aging
- Creating Global Forms and Conferences for Constructing New Futures
Given the perilous 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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