Suggestion for you, Kathleen (and others on this list) Geoff Bellman's book "Consultant's Calling: Bringing who you are to what you do" is an excellent resource for new (and "old") consultants. (Jossey-Bass, 1990) as well as "Getting Things Done When You're Not in Charge." As a consultant and trainer who has worked with several departments within the State of Washington, including OSPI (Office of Superintendent of Public Instruction) I share your pain -- and hopes!
Contact Geoff directly at 206-365-3212 or [email protected] - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Karen du Four des Champs "a catalyst for change for our changing world" Keynotes Training Consultation Facilitation INERCOR, Training & Consulting Co. "because change does begins at the core" P.O. Box 472 Vashon Island, WA 98070 Seattle Office: (206) 244-1333 Vashon Office: (206) 463-4122 FAX: (206) 463-4124 Pager: (206) 955-4694 E-mail: [email protected] Website: www.inercor.com -----Original Message----- From: Kathleen A Pichola <[email protected]> To: [email protected] <[email protected]> Date: Monday, October 25, 1999 11:29 AM Subject: Hello >Dear Open Space folks > >Hi. I am Kathleen Pichola, from Cleveland, Ohio and new to the world of >consulting. I have been a private practice psychotherapist for the past >12 years. I ended this practice in May of 98 and am moving toward new >work that involves larger groups of people and transformation that >affects many. I have been aware of openspace for several years and have >attended several trainings with Harrison and Birgitt. However, I have >not done any consulting to date. I feel ready to open this new work for >myself by going out into the world and opening spaces, but have many >questions. > > My passion lives with the public school systems. I was an educator or >10 years before I trained as a psychologist. I would love to help >children everywhere by improving the ways in which schools meet >children's needs. > > I had a preliminary meeting with a central staff administrator in charge >of community/school relations. She seemed interested in Open Space but >declared that she has no budget. She sent me to an exec director of a >well funded clearinghouse organization that has as it's mission to >improve the schools countywide. They have just spent time and money on a >training program for parents called naming and renaming. They are quite >excited about it. The funding for this program ends in Dec. I am to >call this exec when she returns to town, which is today. > >My observations >1. It seems to me that the whole educational system is very broken but >continues to limp along because it is funded by taxes. >2. It seems to me that if education is to really change, the deep >structure, (as Birgitt names it in her training program,) needs to be >addressed, not just the behaviors and actions. >3. It seems to me that schools continue to add programs that address >behaviors but are like bandaids on a problem that requires major surgery. > The current bandaids are volunteerism and parent involvement. >4. It seems to me, when we are talking about education, we are talking >about the national, state and local systems, as well as the community of >parents and businesses. I don't know anyone who is not affected by the >educational system come to think of it. >5. It seems to me for real change to occur, this whole system needs to >be in the room as in Open space. >6. It seems to me, there are many smaller systems within the larger >system that can use and benefit from open space. Individual schools, >individual programs, local school systems etc. >7. It seems to me that open space would be a perfect tool to create the >kind of changes that are desparately needed and long overdue in the >schools. >8. It seems to me that nationally, we are beginning to focus on >education as a priority, and that the time may be right for this kind of >work. > >My Questions: > >1. How does one access educational decisionmakers to make them aware of >open space and the potential it has to offer? > I have considered doing informational presentations to businesses, >rotaries, kiwanas (I like giving speeches) In order to inform a large >group of community stakeholders. > I have considered doing presentations for gatherings of >superintendents, principals, administraors. Surely there must be such a >thing. > A friend of mine suggested that I meet with a local superintendent who >has a reputation for being creative and progressive. She suggested that >if I sold the idea to him and had success, he would make sure everyone >knew about it. >2. I mentioned the exec director earlier. I need to call her this week, >as she is just returning from out of town. I am not sure what to say to >her in an initial meeting. I know open space would be an excellent match >for her and the mission of the organization. I'm not sure how to let her >know that, or if it is even possible to sell open space by "cold calling >" like this. > >I think that is enough for now. I would appreciate any feedback and >wisdom that people can give. >I also would like to know if there is anyone in the Cleveland area who >is doing open space? > >Thanks to all, >Kathleen Pichola > > >Stories With Heart & Kapstone Consulting, Inc. >Kathleen A. Pichola, Ph.D >P.O. Box 19128 E-mail [email protected] >Cleveland, Ohio 44119-0128 Phone 216-531-6008 >Stories open our hearts and feed our souls. Stories heal us. >
