Six Month Follow up on Appreciative Inquiry Process
Stanley Thomas Capela
HeartShare Human Services
Brooklyn, NY United States
Date 11/14/2008
Annotation: Description of an online conversation on the AI listserve started by: Stan Capela
Thanks for all the comments and suggestions.I will update the group once it is done.For those who are interested, we started a program called project choice. The goal of the program is to help individuals with developmental disabilities find their own home where they live as independent as possible.
Stan
------------------------
Hi Stan,
I've also asked people to bring something tangible with them that somehow helps them talk about or reflects their success story. It might be a postcard, a piece of pottery, a poem etc. They refer to it in while they are telling their story. Also, I might ask people to tell their story bringing in the intangible as well such as a special feeling, awareness, value that seemed to be particularly important to them when they were being successful.
While this can be an opening round, I also like to keep the threads of whatever comes up in their storytelling going through the rest of the time together. This can mean that when they leave, they will know how to do more of whatever was contained in the messages of the tangible and intangible, and what new aspects of themselves to bring in so that their work is further amplified.
Anne
--------------------------
On 2 Nov 2008, at 17:47, Nancy Stetson wrote:
Hi Stan,
Depending on the size of the group, have folks sit in one or more circles and each share one story of success they've had since you last saw them. It's amazing how that simple act can re-energize people!
Nancy
-------------------------
Hi Stan,
I echo the comments of others to your inquiry. Here you have the opportunity to live the Destiny to sustain the energy for continuous
renewal - embed capabilities for continuous learning, adaption, discovery, dream, design - the iterative process of AI. By inviting
members to share high points of success stories at work (and at home) further strengthens the individuals and their collective capacity. I
have found people leave such a meeting reconnected to their own strengths, a willingness to stay engaged and contribute in generative and productive ways. This step is key to sustain the positive energy
and build continuity into the system.
Please let us know your success with this meeting.
Kind regards,
Robyn
Robyn Stratton-Berkessel
Creator, Positive Matrix www.positivematrix.com
+1 732 291 0462
---------------------------
In the end, I took people's advice and started by asking individuals to identify a success story since we tried the process. A key was consumers with developmental disabilities were able to find their own apartments. As a result of budget cuts, the project has been put on hold. One positive was the consumers appreciation that the organization was upfront and honest with them and told the group we will work to make sure everyone else will be able to benefit. We also asked about three new wishes and one major one was to work together to make our vision succeed.
Overall, the follow up exercise helped the group realize we have a project that had a positive effect on consumers and we rededicated ourselves to make this happen for everyone.
|
|
