I just got an email from Sarah DeChick at Pegasus Communications, Inc. Pegasus is a leader in Organization Development (OD) and Systems Thinking, and they run events and publish a variety of books and newsletters.
After more than a decade as president of Pegasus, Ginny Wiley has chosen to step aside by the end of 2008. This decision comes after much deliberation and consultation with the Pegasus staff and board. As much as she treasures Pegasus’s mission and her dear colleagues, both inside and outside of our office, Ginny is ready to transition to a role that offers more flexibility and personal time. She will stay “in the loop,” though, by serving in an advisory role in any way that meets her and Pegasus’s needs.
Sarah asked me to help spread the word of this job opening. A complete description of the position and of the hiring process is available at www.pegasuscom.com/president.html.
Posted by Sandy Heierbacher on March 31, 2008.
NCDD Headlines is our new, regularly updated collection of dialogue and deliberation news headlines, announcements from the National Coalition for Dialogue & Deliberation and useful links to online resources served via Email, RSS or Twitter from the co-founders of NCDD, Sandy Heierbacher & Andy Fluke.
As part of its initiative to highlight useful web tools for the dialogue and deliberation community, NCDD has set up an online “stream of d&d news headlines” leveraging the power of the web tools Twitter (a micro-blogging tool) and Del.icio.us (a social bookmarking tool) to quickly and easily serve the latest news and announcements to the dialogue and deliberation community in short, accessible headlines.
NCDD Headlines can be subscribed to in several ways. Twitter users simple need to follow our Twitter stream. However, if you don’t use Twitter, you can subscribe to NCDD Headlines by email. Finally, if you use an rss feed reader, you can use the NCDD Headlines feed.
UPDATE: I posted a short essay on why I set this up over on my personal site, Thirteen Pennies.
UPDATE TWO: The Twitter Headlines project didn’t work out as well as hoped, but it will continue through my personal Twitter feed, @andyfluke. I posted an explanation over on my personal site, Thirteen Pennies.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 31, 2008.
The Center for the Study of Citizenship at Wayne State University (clas.wayne.edu/citizenship) has announce its Sixth Annual Conference in Citizenship Studies. The conference will be held at Wayne State’s Detroit campus on 26 – 28 March 2009, and will focus on the Center’s theme for the 2008-2009 academic year, Representing Citizenship. Distinguished philosopher Wil Kymlicka (Queens University, Ontario, Canada), author of Multicultural Citizenship: A Liberal Theory of Minority Rights, will serve as the conference’s keynote speaker. The Center invites proposals for papers, panels, poster sessions, artistic displays and performances that examine citizenship and representation in many senses, from the political and legal to the literary and artistic. Topics may include but are not limited to the representation of political or legal interests by proxies such as legislators, political parties, interest groups, or lawyers; the representation of citizens in novels, plays, or print, broadcast, or digital media and the cultural consequences of this “embodiment”; and the circulation of depictions and descriptions of citizenship in school texts, government films, or other media meant to model or critique civic behavior. The Center plans to publish a volume of papers from the conference. Proposals should be submitted using the Center’s online form, available 15 August by the submission deadline of Friday, 14 November 2008. Both panel proposals and individual submissions are welcome. Questions should be directed to Marc W. Kruman at .
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 31, 2008.
For the past 500 posts or so, NCDD and its News & Perspectives blog has been privileged to have the assistance of Amy Lang as blogger extraordinaire. But all good things must eventually come to an end and Amy is moving on to work on a book comparing the British Columbia and Ontario Citizens’ Assemblies and teaching a political science seminar on new models of public engagement at the UBC Centre for the Study of Democratic Institutions (democracy.ubc.ca). She’s particularly excited about the course she’s teaching because her students will be partnering with a Vancouver nonprofit called Think City (thinkcity.ca) to help expand the public consultation process on the Vancouver municipal budget. She’s also helping start a new company called MASS (masslbp.com) that wants to make Citizens’ Assemblies a widespread model of public engagement, along with training for half marathons (how did she ever have time to blog for us?). We wish her the best of luck!
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 31, 2008.
Young people working to bring about positive societal change in their communities are invited to apply for the YouthActionNet (youthactionnet.org) Global Fellows Program. Each year, twenty exceptional young social entrepreneurs are selected as YouthActionNet Global Fellows. The year-long fellowship program provides opportunities in skill-building, networking, and advocacy, including a seven-day, all-expenses paid, capacity-building retreat in Washington, D.C.; development of a customized learning plan based on individual leadership learning needs; networking with international and national aid agencies, NGOs, and corporate partners; peer-to-peer networking throughout the year; training in communications and media outreach; public relations technical assistance; and access to global advocacy platforms and media coverage as well as access to potential funding opportunities. The program is open to all young people between the ages of 18 and 29. Applicants should be founders of existing projects/organizations or leading a project within an organization. Proficiency in English is required; applications must be submitted in English. Applicants also must be available to attend the full retreat, November 1-8, 2008, in Washington, D.C. Visit the YouthActionNet web site for complete program information and application procedures. Deadline: May 15, 2008.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 31, 2008.
Here’s something I’ve heard great things about from a number of people…
Every summer the Shambhala Institute for Authentic Leadership holds their Authentic Leadership in Action, Summer Institute in Halifax, Nova Scotia (Canada). This year it will take place June 22-28. Over the past seven years, the Authentic Leadership Summer Institute has become a vibrant meeting-place of people, practices, and ideas engaged at the frontier of organizational and societal change. It brings together 250 to 300 forward-thinking leaders, managers and change agents of all levels from business, government, education, NGOs and civil society.
Participants will experience five days of integrated personal and professional development, including one of ten skill-building modules, daily mindfulness meditation, creative process, and small- and large-group inquiry, reflection, and dialogue. This year, module leaders include Margaret Wheatley, Adam Kahane, Sarita Chawla, Barbara Bash, Arawana Hayashi, Tom Hurley, Bill Torbert, Wendy Palmer, Toke Moeller, Victoria Castle, and others at the forefront of the quest for higher-functioning workplaces and communities.
Discounts and scholarships are available. To access the daily schedule, module descriptions, registration information, and more, call 902-425-0492 or visit www.shambhalainstitute.org/2008_summer.html.
Posted by Sandy Heierbacher on March 30, 2008.
Another incredible job opening in our field…
On March 24th I received an email from search consultant Bob Fisher asking me to get the word out to the NCDD network about this great position. His email said “Many of the North American Board members have cited NCDD as the leading organization among whose members we might find qualified and interested candidates for this position” – so they’re looking for YOU folks!
Here’s the official announcement: The Board and members of the International Association for Public Participation (IAP2) seek an exceptional executive to lead this international organization to its next level and beyond. The right leader will be successful from anywhere in the world. An international executive search is being initiated to attract a leader and institution-builder; a strong manager, organizer, and communicator; a principled entrepreneur and trusted fundraiser – to catalyze the training, facilitating, and research strengths of IAP2, and to promote the processes of stakeholder engagement while enhancing the profession. We encourage you to view the website of IAP2 at www.iap2.org, to consider yourself as a potential candidate for this position, and to bring this to the attention of qualified colleagues. Please contact, in strictest confidence, of course, Robert M. Fisher, Rusher, Loscavio & LoPresto Executive Search for a copy of the position description, and with any expression of interest, nomination, application (with resume): .
If you’re interested, download the IAP2 CEO Job Description I got Bob to send me. Good luck to those of of you who apply!!
Posted by Sandy Heierbacher on March 29, 2008.
One of my FaceBook friends, Lucie Mayer, just sent a video to my “SuperWall” that I thought might be interesting and inspiring to many of you. The moving 3-minute and 40-second video promotes an advocacy effort that focuses on conversation. While we’re not talking about true dialogue where multiple viewpoints are shared, it’s interesting to see a major advocacy effort focused on the importance and power of sharing one’s story as a means to change people’s minds on a highly contentious issue.
As it says at www.letcaliforniaring.org, “There is no marriage without engagement. Let California Ring is about engaging people like you to talk to people you know. It’s that simple. Our goal is to engage at least 1 million Californians in a conversation about the freedom to marry and through those conversations to enable 500,000 Californians to pledge their support for the freedom to marry.”
You can view the video at www.youtube.com/watch?v=IbLOpyYoBzE if you’re interested.
Posted by Sandy Heierbacher on March 29, 2008.
Global Majority (globalmajority.org), an international NGO dedicated to the promotion of peace and nonviolent conflict resolution through education, training and advocacy, in partnership with the United Nations University – International Leadership Institute (UNU-ILI), is hosting a pair of Peace Through Dialogue events in the upcoming months. From their press release…
The Latin America Session (Ciudad Colon, Costa Rica – May 26-June 6, 2008) — This training seminar will focus on environmental peace-making, negotiation, mediation, and international environmental law, directed towards graduate, high-level undergraduate students, and professionals. The seminar will be conducted by professors, trainers, and speakers from Latin America and the United States. Upon successful completion of the seminar, students will receive a certificate and/or four academic credits from University for Peace.
The Middle East Session (Amman, Jordan – July 20-Aug 3, 2008) — This training seminar will focus on negotiation, mediation, and conflict resolution with a focus on Palestine-Israel conflict. The seminar is directed towards graduate, high-level undergraduate students, and professionals. The seminar will be conducted by professors, trainers, and speakers from around the world. Upon successful completion of the seminar, students will receive a certificate and/or four academic credits from UNU-ILI. The seminar will be followed by a 3-day International Conference focusing on the engagement of civil society groups in nonviolent means of resolving conflicts and generating lasting peace strategies. Global Majority’s chief goals in planning this event are to raise the voice of global civil society in order to encourage decision-makers to negotiate, to promote dialogue and understanding across national and cultural boundaries, and to pursue nonviolent conflict resolution. Participants have an option to take part in a six day Israel/Palestine study tour prior to the event.
For detailed information and for application and registration forms please visit their website. The deadline for submitting an application and registration is nearing and discounts apply to early applicants. Number of admitted students will be limited to ensure high, professional quality training. Contact them by email at or by phone +1.831.372.5518 with any questions.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 29, 2008.
A Foundations of Appreciative Inquiry course will be held at the William Penn House in Washington DC May 5th through 7th, and NCDD members are encouraged to attend. Registration is only $150, or $125/person for groups of 4 or more. All NCDD members (whether you’ve paid the membership fee or not) receive a $25 discount (only $100 each for groups of 4+).
Appreciative Inquiry is a process of engagement that moves participants through discovery, dreaming, designing and implementing positive change. It is a process that has helped bring fundamental change to schools, organizations and communities. It has been especially useful in helping community groups that often get “stuck” on social issues to work through these issues, find common ground, and move forward towards a healthier community.
The co-facilitators of this three-day Foundations course, Marge Schiller and Joyce Lemke, have worked specifically with school districts and social service groups to implement new programs with renewed energy throughout the country. Organizations and community partnerships are strongly encouraged to send groups, as there will be time to work together throughout these days.
The course will be held at the William Penn House at 515 E. Capitol St. SE. Lodging (shared accommodations) is available for only $30/night at this Quaker house, including breakfast. For more information or to register, contact NCDD member Brad Ogilvie at or at 301-257-5348. Information is also available at www.williampennhouse.org.
Posted by Sandy Heierbacher on March 28, 2008.
from the Foundation Center‘s RFP Bulletin…
The Funding Exchange‘s (fex.org) Paul Robeson Fund for Independent Media supports media activism and grassroots organizing by funding the pre-production and distribution of social issue film and video projects as well as the production and distribution of radio projects made by local, state, national, or international organizations and individual media producers. The fund invites applications for projects of all genres that address critical social and political issues, combine intellectual clarity with creative use of the medium, and demonstrate understanding of how the production will be used for progressive social justice organizing. The fund makes grants to radio projects in all production stages and to film and video projects in the pre-production or distribution stages only. The fund does not support production or post-production costs for film and video projects. The fund does not provide support to project budgets or projects of organizations with annual budgets of more than $500,000. The maximum grant award is $20,000; most grants range between $5,000 to $15,000. See the Funding Exchange web site to download complete program guidelines and an application form.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 28, 2008.
“Recently a village on the island of Mindanao in the Philippines was under threat by two armed groups who had come within 200 meters of each other. The village elders called for help from the Nonviolent Peaceforce (nonviolentpeaceforce.org) stationed there, who intervened and by communicating with all sides persuaded the armed group to back away. Thanks to mediation, no violence erupted, no lives were lost.”
from Fight Violence with Nonviolence – Unarmed civilian peacekeepers are saving lives today, by Michael Nagler and Rolf Carriere, Christian Science Monitor, March 27, 2008.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 28, 2008.
For the next couple of months, members of the 2008 conference planning team and members of the greater dialogue and deliberation community are coming together at CivicEvolution.org to conduct an important experiment. We will be working together, using an online platform for dialogue, deliberation, and action planning, to determine how we can make progress on seven major challenges facing our community.
The seven challenges we’d like to address emerged from the first three NCDD conferences, and it is our hope that we will tackle these challenges in creative, collaborative ways – at, before, and after the fourth NCDD conference in Austin this October. The challenges focus on questions we face as a community, like “how can we talk about this work in a more accessible way?” and “how can we embed dialogue and deliberation in systems like schools, organizations and government?” Our online dialogue at CivicEvolution will help us decide how to best approach this daunting task, and we hope to see you there!
We will work together in three stages:
- Review and refine the 7 challenges and launch numerous new dialogues to further explore elements of each challenge. (Example: Ted initiates a new dialogue focused on what words and phrases appeal to young people under the “Framing this Work in an Accessible Way” challenge.)
- Participate in these new dialogues to explore the challenges in depth and develop common ground upon which we can propose ideas that can be further developed and incorporated into an action plan. (Example: After some online dialogue about language that is accessible to young people, Ted and Nancy decide to propose the idea to recruit 50 young people to attend NCDD Austin and engage them in dialogues and discussions on language throughout the conference.)
- Work together as teams to develop detailed proposals for accomplishing the team ideas. (Example: Ted, Nancy, and several others decide on the steps it will take to move from their idea to action.)
Below are more details about the three stages and some how-to info you can refer to as needed. (more…)
Posted by Sandy Heierbacher on March 27, 2008.
from NCDD members Libby & Len Traubman‘s latest mailing…
The World Congress of Imams and Rabbis for Peace (imamsrabbis.org) has declared 2008 the year of initiatives for the reconciliation between Israelis and Palestinians. The WCIR formally seeks to initiate rapprochement between Judaism and Islam. Two congresses – Brussels, January 2005, and Seville, March 2006 – were attended by religious leaders from 43 countries who are actively committed to the path of dialogue between their communities. Unfolding initiatives were inspired by the meetings and continue unfolding. Also, a historic first this March, 2008, was the International Jewish Committee on Interreligious Consultations (IJCIC) recommending to the collective Jewish community “Seek Peace and Pursue It: A Jewish Call to Muslim-Jewish Dialogue.” The IJCIC is a coalition of Jewish organizations representing world Jewry to other religions. Read the Jewish call. That statement welcomed, and was preceded on February 25, 2008 by, “A Call to Peace, Dialogue and Understanding between Muslims and Jews” issued by Muslim scholars.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 27, 2008.
from www.mitpressjournals.org…
Civic Life Online: Learning How Digital Media Can Engage Youth(pdf file), Pages 97-118
Using Participatory Media and Public Voice to Encourage Civic Engagement, Howard Rheingold, Stanford University, Communication Department
Teaching young people how to use digital media to convey their public voices could connect youthful interest in identity exploration and social interaction with direct experiences of civic engagement. Learning to use blogs (“web logs,” web pages that are regularly updated with links and opinion), wikis (web pages that non-programmers can edit easily), podcasts (digital radio productions distributed through the Internet), and digital video as media of self-expression, with an emphasis on “public voice,” should be considered a pillar—not just a component—of twenty-first-century civic curriculum. Participatory media that enable young people to create as well as consume media are popular among high school and college students. Introducing the use of these media in the context of the public sphere is an appropriate intervention for educators because the rhetoric of democratic participation is not necessarily learnable by self-guided point-and-click experimentation. The participatory characteristics of online digital media are described, examples briefly cited, the connection between individual expression and public opinion discussed, and specific exercises for developing a public voice through blogs, wikis, and podcasts are suggested. A companion wiki provides an open-ended collection of resources for educators: www.socialtext.net/medialiteracy.
Posted by Andy Fluke on March 26, 2008.
