FW: Theme Suggestions?

[Larry Peterson]

-----Original Message-----
From:   Larry Peterson [mailto:lpasoc at inforamp.net]
Sent:   Wednesday, March 10, 1999 5:18 PM
To:     dwcox at PAWNEE.ASTATE.EDU
Subject:        RE: Theme Suggestions?

David:  I have a hunch that your trouble in determining a theme is because
you have a vested interest in the outcomes of the Open Space. If you are a
member of the Faculty and have been part of the discussions then I don't
think you should be Opening the Space. You need to get someone who is less
invested in the particulars of the conversation to help you and the group to
find the set of words that give focus to what you want and need to do next.
Which may be the challenges and opportunities for developing the new
curriculum by April? If I'm wrong and you are external to the group, just
delete the Message.

Larry

Larry Peterson
Associates in Transformation
41 Appleton Ave., Toronto, ON,
Canada, M6E 3A4
Tel:/Fax: 416-653-4829

lpasoc at inforamp.net
http://www.inforamp.net/~lpasoc


-----Original Message-----
From:   OSLIST [mailto:OSLIST at listserv.idbsu.edu] On Behalf Of David Cox
Sent:   Wednesday, March 10, 1999 2:50 PM
To:     OSLIST at LISTSERV.BOISESTATE.EDU
Subject:        Theme Suggestions?

I'd like some help coming up with the appropriate wording for an OS
theme.  What I have coming up is a high stakes event.  The
precise theme wording is critical (at least I think it is).

First I need to give some background.  I am a member of a College
of Education at a university.  We are undergoing massive teacher
education redesign.  We are under a state mandate to get a new
program in place by Fall 99.  We have a month and a half left in
this academic year. Failure to come up with a new curriculum is
simply not an option. A key group of ten faculty (10 PhD ego's) are
working on  a new "Core Curriculum."  Deliberations have broken
down over philosophical issues, content issues, generalist vs
specialist teacher issues, number of hours, etc., etc. In short
conversations have become very contentious and heated.  The
group is going in circles and a couple of people have resigned.
Emotions are high and acrimony is rampant.  The group is getting
frustrated, exhausted, and burned out on every-other-day meetings.
To me the situation meets perfectly the criteria for an OS event:
high levels of complexity, high levels of diversity, high levels of
conflict, and a decision is needed yesterday.

I volunteered to hold an OS event with this group. The group may
be expanded in size somewhat.  I'm going to guess that 15 to 20
people would voluntarily come together if they believed real
progress could be made.

I would GREATLY APPRECIATE any suggestions anyone on this
list might have for the wording of a theme to focus this group.
Something like "issues and opportunities facing the College of
Education" just seems too generic for this particular situation,
which I might go so far as to describe as a crisis.

Thanks  VERY MUCH for your help!!!