Hi Doug:
Sorry for the delay in response....
Here's a few mini-snippets of stories:
1) A team used OST in response to notification of funding decreases to their
program. The intent was to find ways to save $$$ in order to retain their
program/jobs...
One result was a decision to cease offering one type of service altogether
and the group made its own HR adjustments (job and time-sharing if I
recall). Both mgmt and the funder saw the logic and appreciated the work -
although they were shocked as heck!
2) A small town branch of a national org serving kids decided, after
experiencing OST, to pursue partnering with the other local city branches -
in order to improve effectiveness and efficiency. This was a major shift as
traditionally there had been much animosity/competitiveness between these
branches. This has now been completed and there is a regional body that
coordinates fundraising for all branches. This has resulted in a significant
increase in the number of children served across the region.
3) A staff person present at an OST meeting came to me mid-way and excitedly
said, 'I get it! All my life I have waited for someone else to fix 'it'. Now
I know that, if I care, I can do something!'.
4) Two branches of a national org serving individuals with mental health
challenges were forced to amalgamate by headquarters and decided to use OST
to figure out how...
During the meeting, the senior mgmt from both branches negotiated the new
leadership arrangement. One Executive Director chose to move on to a new
position. Other senior managers made equally astonishingly self-less
decisions and cooperative arrangements in service of the people they serve.
That amalgamated branch is now nationally recognized for its innovative
programs and services and excellent advocacy work vis a vis national policy
on mental health.
5) An OST meeting focusing on issues and opportunities for youth in a small,
historic town resulted in a group of the participating youth requesting that
the Town Council establish a Youth Advisory Committee (YAC), which they did.
Since then, that YAC has been the driving force behind some of the town's
decisions and developments, including building a skate park and limiting the
number of fast food chains allowed to set up shop within the city limits.
That's all I have the time, energy and ability to type up for now... In
doing so I've realized that, in each case, it seems to involve a group
accepting that the world has/will change and then engaging consciously
(choosing) how they will interact with that change....
Best wishes to all,
Glory
----- Original Message -----
From: "Douglas D. Germann, Sr." <76066....@compuserve.com>
To: <osl...@listserv.boisestate.edu>
Sent: Thursday, January 12, 2006 5:33 PM
Subject: Stories that moved you, stories that could change the world
Glory--
Thank you for your kind note.
<< the ideal story would include and transcend any existing
<< polarities - IMHO.
<< So my own question is seeking its answer in me... and I think the
stories
<< that move me the most are ones where a whole group shifts in some new,
<< interesting or surprising way....
<< It may be the entire org or a sub-group but it's this action of
<< exploring/deciding/acting, consciously and intelligently, together that
<< really excites me. I also believe the mini-narratives within this frame
<< (where people have ah ha moments or emotional breakthroughs) are very
<< important to tell as well because they give hope and heart to others.
Teilhard is for me, too, one of my teachers--I always get my thinking
exploded reading his work. So I enjoyed the Teilhard-Atlee poem a lot.
So it is no surprise that these stories you mention are the ones I have in
mind (and heart) when I ask about stories.
What are your favorite stories of this kind, Glory? I want to have some of
that hope raised in me that you talk about so well....
:-Doug.
What wants to happen in your communities?
*
*
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