In these past two months we have celebrated mothers and fathers whose love, compassion, and patience help mold our future leaders.  

"It's not only children who grow.  Parents do too.  As much as we watch to see what our children do with their lives, they are watching us to see what we do with ours.  I can't tell my children to reach for the sun.  All I can do is reach for it, myself."  ~Joyce Maynard

Parenting, Grandparenting and lending a hand to our next generation as they grow, learn, thrive, and celebrate is a shared experience, blessing and joy that we can all join. Jim Pulliam and I have the good fortunate to have worked with so many young people throughout our professional careers and we realize how fortunate we have been. We support all of you who do work to enrich the lives of so many. We thank each of you and encourage you to reach out to children who need someone to help them find their compass. What better objectives could we have for modeling behaviors for student?

We invite you to check out a new website set up by the U.S. Department of Health and  Human Services at http://fatherhood.gov/home. You can visit the site and take the "Fatherhood Pledge" which is in response to President Obama's call for a national conversation on responsible fatherhood and healthy families.

We invite each of you to join in the high energy and well-being that gratitude, compassion, and generosity brings to each of us. As always, we thank each of you for sharing your stories of success - seeking the high points to learn, adapt, and thrive - your stories always bring such light into our office and to our work.

• Christine Bolan, Dean, School of Health Sciences, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, "Incorporating Interprofessional Education (IPE) into the Health Sciences Programs"
• Lonnie C. Croal, Organizational Development Office, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, "Exceptional Teaching and Learning at the University of Calgary-Qatar"
• Patricia Sutherland, Brett Williams, and Tamara Nelson, College of the North Atlantic-Qatar, "CNA-Q Library: Centre of Excellence in Information Sharing, Organization, and Access"
• Joan C. Trottier, MS, RN, "Plant Hope"
• Donna Henderson, Teresa Justice, Kevin Keating,Patricia Senior, and Karen Wollard, Broward College, "Building Organizational Capacity: Moving Adjunct Experience from 'Good' to 'Great'" 
• Alan Checketts and Lisa Satteson, Catholic Health East, "Catholic Health East: Becoming a Transforming, Healing Presence in the Communities in Which We Serve" 
• Yinka Tella, Faculty Counselor, Broward College, "Appreciative Inquiry into Math Success Factors" 

Read an issue of our "Words Create Worlds" (WCW) - a periodical compilation of success stories collected from AIFT participants from around the world. Words Create Worlds illustrates how AIFT participants have used words to help shape their world and the world of others - resulting in positive change.

If you wish to read our WCW publications, please click here. 

Heather Henson (left) and Melissa Robaina (right) are all smiles as they partake in a local cleanup in celebration of Earth Day

On April 22, 1970 over 20 million Americans rallied in the streets, parks, schools, and auditoriums to demonstrate for a healthy, sustainable environment. According to earthday.net, "Groups that had been fighting against oil spills, polluting factories and power plants, raw sewage, toxic dumps, pesticides, freeways, the loss of wilderness, and the extinction of wildlife suddenly realized they shared common values". That day in 1970 is one to remember. As a result of everyone's efforts, Congress enacted the United States Environmental Protection Agency in addition to passing the Clean Air, Clean Water, and Endangered Species acts.

What is Appreciative Inquiry?

Appreciative Inquiry is a collaborative, strengths-based approach to both personal and organizational development that is proving to be highly effective in thousands of organizations and communities in hundred of countries around the world. It is a way of bringing about change that shares leadership and learning, fully engaging everyone in the organization.

What is Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT)?

Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training� (AIFT) engages participants to learn about the foundations of Appreciative Inquiry as well as the skills to facilitate inquiry sessions. At the end of this intensive Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT), participants will understand how to guide organizations, groups, and communities to consciously and deliberately shift their collective way of being and seeing to an appreciative approach, that will help them focus on what's right in their organization, group or community, rather than on what's wrong.

This Appreciative Inquiry foundations course includes mini-lectures, and experiential learning (individual, pairs, trios, small group, and large group) as well as auditory and visual materials to enhance the learning experience. Each day has a morning and afternoon session; a morning and afternoon break; and one hour for lunch.  

Learn more about Appreciative Inquiry >> 

Today is a big day for all that have worked, interfaced, had a conversation, or requested information from Natalie Aisoff.  Natalie is leaving the Company of Experts to be closer to family in Arizona. We wish her success, good wishes and happiness in everything she does.  

Since the Company of Experts was purchased by Jim Pulliam and Kathy Becker in 2005, Natalie has been a mainstay of the organization. Her never ending smile, friendly and comforting voice, mixed with a willingness and interest in assisting others are attributes we shall miss. One of the most important values for service is, did the individual make a difference for others in their journey? Without hesitation, Natalie Aisoff made a "difference".

Natalie, in turning the page, enjoy the journey.

We welcome you to sign Natalie's virtual "Card" via the discussion threads found on the Company of Experts' Facebook page. 

Company of Experts is pleased to announce that the North American Council for Staff, Program and Organizational Development (NCSPOD) has joined with us as a partner in offering the popular Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT). The purpose of this training is to support its members' professional development just prior to the national conference in Charlotte, North Carolina. October 26-28, 2011. 

This special edition of the Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training has been designed to include asynchronous and synchronous learning to complement the NCSPOD conference in Charlotte, NC. Dates for this training are October 24-26, 2011 at the Levine Museum of the New South ~ approximately 4 blocks from the NCSPOD Conference Hotel.  

AIFT participants must complete the three full days of intensive onsite learning, plus online study, live webinars (to be scheduled), readings and exercises, and complete a supervised practicum (case study) which typically consists of five to forty hours of planning with client/Core Group, designing, delivery to stakeholder population, and documenting the inquiry (case study).

• Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) - San Diego, CA  
• Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) - Reno, NV
• Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) - Cape Town, South Africa
• Department Chair Institute (DCI) - Las Vegas, NV
• Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) - Charlotte, NC
• Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator Training (AIFT) - Las Vegas, NV  

To view our entire event calendar, click here. 

To start the New Year off right - Company of Experts developed several new programs that are designed to provide the skills and confidence to develop a framework for planning and implementing positive change as well as develop and harness energy for that change.  

Accreditation

Appreciative Coaching

Ask an Expert

Refer a Friend

Webinar Wednesdays

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