Thursday 31 December 2009

Greetings for 2010

When the mid-night bell rings tonight.
Let it signify new and better things for you,
let it signify a realization of all things you wish for,
Let it signify a year of courage and believes,
Wishing you a very…very…very prosperous New Year!

Sunday 20 December 2009

Why talk so openly?

A Warrior of Light shares with others what he knows of the path.

Anyone who gives help also receives helps and needs to teach what he has learned. That is why he sits by the fire and recounts his day on the battlefield.

A friend whispers: “Why talk so openly about your strategy? Don’t you realize that, by doing so, you run the risk of sharing your conquests with others?”
The Warrior merely smiles and says nothing. He knows that is, at the end of his journey, he arrives to find an empty paradise, his struggle will have been a waste of time.

Source: Paulo Coelho, Warrior of the Light

Tomorrow is Winter Solstice! In the Northern Hemisphere, the winter solstice occurs either December 21 or 22, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Capricorn; the summer solstice occurs either June 20 or 21, when the sun shines directly over the tropic of Cancer. In the Southern Hemisphere, the winter and summer solstices are reversed. The winter solstice marks the shortest day and the longest night of the year. The sun appears at its lowest point in the sky, and its noontime elevation appears to be the same for several days before and after the solstice.

Friday 18 December 2009

Theoretical Foundations to Invitational Learning

The invitational approach to education derives from two theoretical perspectives: perceptual psychology and self-concept theory. The perceptual tradition sees behaviour as a function of the individual's perceived world. Individuals are viewed as conscious agents who perceive, consider, interpret, and then act on the basis of their own experience, and who are ultimately responsible for their own actions.

Self-concept consists of each person's unique system of perceptions about the self in relation to one's environment. A person seeks to maintain a consistent self-concept by assimilating or rejecting perceptions that do or do not fit preconceptions, but a person's self-concept can change and develop as a result of inviting or encouraging acts.

If educators are to create inviting schools, they must identify those elements in the school environment that will interact with students' perceptions in ways that continually foster a healthy self-concept in students. Every part of the environment, the program and policies, and the approach to instruction must be designed to promote a sustaining belief in the value and unique potential of each person.

Marquis Bureau

www.groupecourage.com

819-766-2873

Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, QC - Hamilton, ON - Halifax, N-É/NS

L'animation holistique

22, 23 et 24 janvier 2010 à Gatineau, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec Entraide-Deuil de l'Outaouais.  L'atelier est offert en français.

21, 22 et 23 avril 2010 à Montréal, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec Communications Esther Matte.  L'atelier est offert en français.

Travailler avec la technologie du Forum ouvert

28, 29 janvier et 5 février 2010 à Gatineau, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec CAP Santé Outaouais.  L'atelier est offert en français

Cross Cultural Conflict Resolution Online Workshop

January 18, 25 and February 1, 8, 2010 - noon to 3 pm EST. Workshop offered in English.

Posted via email from MBureau's posterous

Thursday 17 December 2009

What is Invitational Learning?

Invitational Learning is a remarkably direct but evocative model of schooling developed by William W. Purkey. The aim, as Purkey says, is to make school "the most inviting place in town" by emphasizing mutual respect and human potential in every aspect of schooling--people, places, policies, and programs. The invitational approach to education is predicated on four fundamental assumptions:

- that people are able, valuable, and responsible, and should be treated accordingly;

- that education should be a collaborative, cooperative activity, involving all participants--teachers, students, and parents--in all decisions which affect them;

- that people possess untapped potential in all aspects of human endeavour; and

- that human potential can best be realized by places, policies, and processes that are specifically designed to invite development, and by people who are intentionally inviting with themselves and others, personally and professionally.

Inviting schools, then, are places where students feel welcome, appreciated, and encouraged to realize their potential and to respect the unique worth of themselves and others.

Invitations are a key ingredient to Whole Person Process Facilitation and Open Space Technology Meetings.

More to come on Theoretical Foundations of invitational learning or facilitation.

Marquis Bureau

www.groupecourage.com

819-766-2873

Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, QC - Hamilton, ON - Halifax, N-É/NS

L'animation holistique

22, 23 et 24 janvier 2010 à Gatineau, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec Entraide-Deuil de l'Outaouais.  L'atelier est offert en français.

21, 22 et 23 avril 2010 à Montréal, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec Communications Esther Matte.  L'atelier est offert en français.

Travailler avec la technologie du Forum ouvert

28, 29 janvier et 5 février 2010 à Gatineau, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec CAP Santé Outaouais.  L'atelier est offert en français

Cross Cultural Conflict Resolution Online Workshop

January 18, 25 and February 1, 8, 2010 - noon to 3 pm EST. Workshop offered in English.

Posted via email from MBureau's posterous

Wednesday 16 December 2009

Harrison Owen on Leadership

Harrison Owen believes the genesis of Leadership comes from two sources: Passion and Responsibility. Or more precisely, Leadership emerges at the confluence of Passion and Responsibility. When individuals clearly identify what they truly care about (have passion for), and take personal responsibility for what is happening, things start to move. Passion alone may be flashy, but it may also be just a flash in the pan, all sizzle but no steak. Responsibility alone is simply boring. But passion united with responsibility create the needed sense of direction and focus that can get the job done. That is Leadership.

Marquis Bureau

www.groupecourage.com

819-766-2873

Notre-Dame-de-la-Salette, QC - Hamilton, ON - Halifax, N-É/NS

L'animation holistique

22, 23 et 24 janvier 2010 à Gatineau, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec Entraide-Deuil de l'Outaouais.  L'atelier est offert en français.

21, 22 et 23 avril 2010 à Montréal, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec Communications Esther Matte.  L'atelier est offert en français.

Travailler avec la technologie du Forum ouvert

28, 29 janvier et 5 février 2010 à Gatineau, QC, Canada, en collaboration avec CAP Santé Outaouais.  L'atelier est offert en français

Cross Cultural Conflict Resolution Online Workshop

January 18, 25 and February 1, 8, 2010 - noon to 3 pm EST. Workshop offered in English.

Posted via email from MBureau's posterous