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IDEAS, NEWS AND RESOURCES  | August 2018   
We hope you enjoy receiving our newsletter which includes constructionist ideas and practices as well as news and resources from the Taos Institute.
Brief Encounters with The Taos Institute

August 2018

This month, Mary Gergen, Taos Institute board member and co-founder of the institute will share with us about: 
Disponibility: Constructing A New Way of Living Well

It's Monday, after a week of vacation, and I look at my calendar. August 6. Before me is a totally empty space. What a wonderful feeling this is. It's a day totally at my disposal. A day in which I can do anything I want (within the limits of my imagination and my pocket book). It is a day full of potentials, but no restraints. My freedom to be without the constraints of upcoming meetings, schedules, or pre-determined activities is priceless. Since it is 90 degrees outside, I can even decide to stay in my air conditioned study. I shall let the day unfold.
 
I became fully conscious of this delightful feeling through reading about the work of the French philosopher François Jullien. He wrote about a concept we might translate as "disponibility." As he theorized, such an orientation consists of "keeping the fan of possibilities entirely open - with no stiffening and nothing excluded - so as to respond fully to every request that is presented." As I began to see the world through this lens, I found new value in being without a program, being available for whatever happens. Further, I could see where this orientation is a direct challenge to a dominant American ideal that the good life is one that is organized, structured, well-considered, and future-oriented. In contrast, the disponible life is one that is present-oriented. Whatever is around the corner may give shape to the next hour or more. It is a way of being that is unrehearsed, unscheduled, and unplanned.
 
Summertime is a good time to practice this art. Vacations are times set aside from our normal routines, during which we are relieved of the typical burdens of our professions. Yet, practicing this disponible lifestyle is still required. Often we have commitments to our families and our friends. We have places we have rented, plans we have made, events we have scheduled or are expected to attend. We try to coordinate with those we are with, and show up on time. Yes, there may be days when we don't have plans or obligations. But then we may become anxious. Why don't I have anything I have to do? Maybe nobody cares about me. I have so much I really should do, but here I am wasting my time. It is not so easy simply to just float.
 
There is research support for floating. Last year in Ageing & Sociology, Taos Associates Diego Romaioli and Alberta Contarello wrote about the life styles of a group of older people in Italy; many of their participants emphasized the joys of a disponible life style. Each day one could choose what one wanted to do, given the weather, the invitations of friends, the intrigue of activities, and one's own sense of adventure. And these older people seemed to be finding their lives quite fulfilling. They just weren't organizing for tomorrow. So I ask myself, is this such a bad thing? Perhaps in doing so, they are feasting on the randomness of life and the opportunities that suddenly emerge.      
 
Once I got the drift of this new idea, I challenged myself to imagine this form of life as applied to the post-vacation world. For example, how can an attitude of "disponibility" be applied to one's professional life? Could one imagine setting aside some time each week for unplanned activity, where one's agenda would be crossed off for several hours? What would it be to move freely and spontaneously without the constraints of a schedule or one's own internal clock? Could such time invite us into new fantasies, creative visions, or memories that might deepen and enrich the present? What unanticipated activities might unfold? A new word, constructing the world anew, sharpening sensitivities, inviting a refreshing form of life...ah, am I having a busy summer, or did I simply make myself disponible? What about you?
Taos Institute Events and Gatherings  

The Many Ways to Get Involved...So many exciting learning opportunities coming up...We hope you take a look here...

  
Conferences

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The Taos Institute Silver Jubilee
Exploring 25 Years of Innovation in Social Construction around the World
A Conference and a Celebration!
 
November 8 - 10, 2018
(Pre-conference Nov. 7-8)
Registration prices increase on Sept. 1st, so register now.

Cancun, Mexico
 
Join in as together, WE:  
  • Celebrate the Taos Institute's Silver Anniversary
    • Explore 25 years of innovation in social construction theory and practice
        • Learn along side creative practitioners from more than 20 countries
          • Meet colleagues and friends from around the world
            • Welcome a new generation of scholars and practitioners
              • Create opportunities for dialogue, sharing practices, performance and fun! 
We hope you will join us and bring others with you who are new to social construction and relational practice - student, colleague, co-worker, friend! 
Let's co-create the future and engage with the next generation!

The hotel we've chosen in Cancun is in the top 4 of the best hotels/resorts in that area. We received a wonderful reduced room rate for our group to enjoy this exceptional
all-inclusive resort. 
 

Click on the image to watch the video as two of the Taos co-founders Reflecting on the Exciting Things Happening

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Workshops and Courses

Taos Workshops
  • Social Construction, Relational Theory and Transformative Practices, with Sheila McNamee and Harlene Anderson
Taos Online Courses   
  • NEW  - An Inquiry into Relational Leading Practice, an 8-week online course, 
     
    with Ginny Belden-Charles
For details about these workshops and to register visit: www.taosinstitute.net/upcoming-workshops 

Friends of the Taos Institute Workshops and Events
  • Appreciative Inquiry Community Jam! Lifting the Appreciative Voice and Choice Everyday.

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The Taos Institute's International

Diploma in Social Construction and Professional Practice

Pursue Your Dreams 
  • Earn a diploma for pursuing a project that excites you - writing a book, studying a topic, learning about new practices, engaging in action research, developing a website, creating a  video, and more...
Travel with a Thought Companion
  • Enjoy the company of a PhD scholar-practitioner in your pursuits, stimulating reflection and creativity.
Choose Venues for Learning
  • Select from a range of on-line courses, or conference experiences relevant to your pursuits.
Join a Creative Community
  • Participate in a global network of engaged scholars and practitioners.
Earn a Diploma of Distinction
  • Become the recipient of a diploma from the Taos Institute, a non-profit, global organization, offering meaningful education experiences for over 25 years.
For all the details visit: www.taosinstitute.net/diploma-programs 
International Relational Research Network 

Third International Virtual Symposium: 
Challenges and Opportunities of Doing Research from a Relational Perspective


September  25-26, 2018 - Live presentations and dialogue groups, and September 21 - 28, online poster and paper presentations
 

Explore doing research with a relational focus from different perspectives:

Academia, Community, NGOs, Indigenous communities 



Free , all online/virtual, and open to everyone. 
 Please visit the Taos Institute website for information at: 
NEW Book - First Appreciative Inquiry Book for Kids!                                     

STAN AND THE FOUR FANTASTIC POWERS
by Shira Levy, Marge Schiller, Sarah Schiller, Max Schiller
Illustrator: Stefanie Rudolph
 
CHECK IT OUT AT:

AVAILABLE NOW!! It is best to order from our website, as Amazon is saying the book is not available, and it 
IS AVAILABLE. 

Calling all teachers...A great book for classrooms! With the start of school happening now, consider adapting this book for your classroom to explore with your students the power of Appreciative Inquiry, the positive question, and collaborative change. 

Meet the main character, Stan, and hear all about his adventures with Appreciative Inquiry. The book translates the research and application of appreciative inquiry into a book for and about children. The authors and illustrator are an intergenerational team, comprised of an Appreciative Inquiry expert, Nationally Certified School Psychologist, two middle school students, and an artist! Their journey in co-authoring this first ever children's book is truly a remarkable experience. 

This book is great for children of all ages. Works well in a classroom to help students explore how their own strengths, combined with the strengths of others, creates opportunities for positive collaborations to happen that make the world a better place. 
WORLDSHARE BOOKS

FREE Downloadable Books 
 
CHECK IT OUT AT:

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. 
PREVIEW & ORDER MORE BOOKS BY CLICKING HERE

Check out our Books: 
Paths to Positive Aging: Dog Days with a Bone and Other Essays
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. 

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.  
Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM): A Research Manual
 by Natasha A Rascon and Stephen Littlejohn

Coordinated Management of Meaning (CMM): A Research Manual invites those who are interested, intrigued, or invested in CMM to explore the theory as method. Through conversations, Rascon and Littlejohn discussed the many research possibilities and created a manual that offers several frameworks for practical research. The manual provides contexts for applying CMM tools and models as well as many examples from researchers and professionals. Those who have been introduced to CMM and are interested in discovering possibilities for their research and practical interests at any level should enjoy the offerings of this book.

For more information

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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. 
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/

 

 
IntJournalCollab
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 - 
    AI Practitioner - An Online Journal

We invite you to discover an appreciative world in 2018 by taking out an individual subscription for AI Practitioner. Support the future growth and vision of the online journal and the continued publication of articles written by and for practitioners and scholars of Appreciative Inquiry and related disciplines. As a member of the Taos community, you are eligible for a 25% discount when you use the coupon code - taos25% - when you sign up for your subscription.
 
Explore the appreciative, curious voice through. Subscribe now to receive 4 issues each year.  https://aipractitioner.com/product/subscription-practitioners-2018
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.


To make your donation, large or small, go to: www.taosinstitute.net/donate-to-the-taos-institute.

The Taos Institute is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, and all donations are tax deductible in the US.
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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