Philadelphia Region Organization Development Network

  October 1, 2001  

PRODN Calendar

 An Evening of Discussion: 
 OD and the Tragedies 
 Time: 5:30 PM 
AAA Mid-Atlantic
 2000 Market Street 
 Philadelphia 
 Room 850  

The opening PRODN Program on September 25 was devoted to discussion of the September 11 tragedies. The group didn’t feel comfortable simply talking about OD and PRODN without considering "Connect, Network and Reconnect" in the context of the changed world we now live in. The discussion ranged from personal reactions to feelings about our nation’s leaders to views of the tragedy in historical context to what OD practitioners can do to help. We talked about understanding and the need for introspection. We didn’t focus on producing an output, but one theme that emerged is the possibility of OD work with leaders as they grapple with how to help organizations move into the new and changed world of the future. Several brief summaries are on the Information & Registration Page..

Although we talked for nearly two hours, the group did not feel as if we were finished. We agreed to meet once again - on October 9 - to continue the dialog. We might just end up with a better understanding and greater personal insight, or gain insight into how we can help as individuals or through groups, or we might explore how PRODN could help. We met a mere two weeks after the incidents. We knew then, and know even better now, that however this is resolved it will take many years. There will be many opportunities for OD practitioners to help.

We apologize for the late notice, but we hope many people can attend to participate in this important dialogue.

Tuesday, October 16: Monthly Program 

Bringing Equality of Voice
by Using Whole Scale 

Come help us experience an opportunity for all voices in the room to be heard! Dannemiller Tyson Associates will facilitate us in an evening of creating and building our community. The evening will be designed and conducted using the principles of Whole Scale Change to help us "Get to One Brain-One Heart"! You will learn proven methods that you can immediately implement with your clients and in your own life. DTA's latest publications: Whole-Scale Change: Unleashing the Magic in Organizations and The Whole Scale Change Toolkit will be available for purchase.

A Day with Geoff Bellman:
Consulting from Within and Without
A Discussion about Internal and External Consulting

What a unique opportunity to spend a day with one of our key mentors about internal and external consulting! We will be spend the day discussing issues such as: "Building relationships with our clients - constructive rather than destructive relationships; building ongoing and long term relationships rather than single-project relationships; building power within the organizations in which we work; dealing with our own fears of failure; bringing consulting into all parts of our lives" and much more! Geoff's newly published 2nd editions: "The Consultant's Calling" and "Getting Things Done When You're Not In Charge" will be available for purchase.

PRODN Activities

We welcome new and experienced practitioners to our first meeting this fall on Tuesday, October 23 at 6:00 PM. 

For the last several years, with the supportive direction of David Secan, both experienced practitioners and many beginning their OD practices created a space to learn about ourselves, each other and the field of OD. Our opportunity to continue this tradition of sharing, encouragement and support will begin with our first meeting. 

Monthly meetings will be near Conshohocken. Please contact Cynthia Brancato for directions or additional information at 215-652-1602 or Cynthia_Brancato@Merck.com. 

Future meetings: November 29, December 13

PRODN elected new Steering Committee members for 2001-2002 in May. At that time, we did not have a representative to replace David Secan to represent the New Practitioner’s SIG. While David is a tough act to follow, Cynthia has agreed to do so. Consequently, we will formally nominate and elect her to the Steering Committee at the beginning of the Monthly Program on October 16 (information above).

Over the last few years the PRODN Book Club provided a great experience for many of us. Eventually energy for the activity waned as people’s lives changed and got busier. When it became too difficult to keep it organized we decided to "put it down" for a while.

Since that time we’ve received a number of inquiries from people interested in participating in the reading group. As a result I am putting a call out to all PRODN members who might be interested in such an activity again. If you think you might want to join a group to read, discuss and learn more from books related to the work we do, please email me at PhilHyde99@cs.com. If there is sufficient interest in participating, we’ll get it started again.

An energetic group met on July 16 to discuss the values OD practitioners and the profession should (or perhaps could) espouse. After an introduction, we reviewed a set of provocative scenarios (click here to review) and then divided into two groups to discuss two in detail.

• Scenario 7 concerned the contribution of OD. The main theme was how OD establishes credibility at the strategic level and impacts decision making. The group felt that OD has good reason and responsibility to be present but there is a dilemma due to the difficulty of explicitly articulating why. Among the reasons cited were that OD can name important subsurface dynamics, encourage dealing with the system as a whole, and can facilitate group decision-making.
     
• Scenario 6 concerned how OD practitioners can facilitate addressing tradeoffs between short and long-term concerns. Among the points were that it is important to help clients explore their values, to help them understand context and understand consequences of their prospective actions, to empower clients to assume responsibility, to help clients determine what part of the dilemma is within them or within the system, and to support clients where they are. The values guiding decisions include doing no harm (meaning no risk, no change), helping people learn they can discover their own answers and solutions (we need not dictate to them), to enable power and empowering others (OD is in a position to help), and to present that we are partners with people on a journey (vs. expert/answer model). A related theme is exploring the role of OD practitioner in helping clients themselves engage in the conflict between their individual values and their organization’s values.

The PRODN results will be combined with those from many other groups. The inputs will be analyzed and reported at the OD Network Annual Conference on Wednesday morning, November 14. More information about the Conference is below

The session was facilitated by Warren Hoffman, Chrissa Merron, and Ken Weidner. Ken documented the results for the group. Click here for the original announcement. 

Consulting:
From a Psychodynamic Point of View
with Larry Hirschhorn,
Center for Applied Research

Summary prepared by Linda Myers, Ed.D.:

Here’s what some of the participants who were able to attend the workshop wrote were their "take-aways" from the day:

• A clearer understanding of how deeply emotional issues impact our work decision-making and ability to take action.

• The model of primary task, risk, inadequate versus legitimate authority and the concept of a working note to share in its entirety with a client

• The distinction between anxiety and risk as well as the associated distinction between irreducible and reducible risk.

• A renewed understanding that we operate unconsciously and develop social defenses to attend to our own anxieties. Our job as consultants is to uncover reality.

Other News

The OD Network’s 2001 Annual Conference will be in Vancouver on November 9-14. The theme is Traditions, Transitions, Transformations in a Global Economy. PRODN's Jim Crumel is on the Program Committee. The program is exciting and informative. Pre-conference intensives are great opportunities to learn. The three days of the main conference are filled with events for everyone from someone considering entering the OD profession to the most seasoned professional. And Vancouver is a wonderful and affordable place to visit in the fall.

Important: PRODN members are entitled to a $50 discount! Go to http://www.odnetwork.org/conf2001 for information and to register. Enter Group Code 2040 in the group discount area. High registration numbers are anticipated, so make your plans early! Air fares are quite reasonable and your money goes further in Vancouver.   On-line registration closes November 3. 

PRODN's Email Address is office@prodn.org 

Use this address to ask questions and to submit changes to your membership information to the PRODN office. Please keep your email address current to ensure you receive Network News.

PRODN Network News is published by the
Philadelphia Region Organization Development Network
Editor: Warren Hoffman
Questions, suggestions, and feedback are welcome
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Click here for PRODN Steering Committee members.
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