Bob Stilger of Berkana Institute

I recently had a chance to meet Bob Stilger and learn more about Berkana. If you are an advisor to wealth, or a wealthy person yourself, perhaps with children who need a larger perspective on the world, you might consider a "Learning Journey" with Berkana to see how others live in the less developed world. If you are a change leader in your own town, you might consider Berkana's kit on starting local conversation groups around progressive causes. If you want to host and engage groups large and small, you might also consider their Art of Hosting sessions, taught periodicially around the US.  Bob has a PhD in learning and change in human systems. The questions that drive him are,

How do we invite people into their deepest possibilities and invite them to step forward with the leadership only they can offer at this precious time on our planet? How do we deepen the connections and relationships with each other that truly matter, in a way that serves life and the emergence of what else is possible now?

Bob and I hit it off very well. Blogging for me has the same goals as Bob's for Berkana. Socrates still lives.

Comments

[Jon Husband]

I've known of, and appreciated the Berkana Institute for a fair while. It was started by Margaret Wheatley (and I think maybe Myron Kellner-Rogers), and I'm guessing in '98 or '99. I have been under the impression that it's presence was somewhat less noticed than it might have (to date) been given that much of its life has been unfolding at the same time as the WOT. For example, I think Margaret had a stronger (no, let's say more recognized in the mainstream) voice in the late '90's than today ... perhaps. On the other hand, that could be an uninformed point of view on my part, and it may be that the Institute is moving ahead assertiovely and with much recognition.

Have you ever looked at Wheatley's book "A Simpler Way" ?

[Phil]

Have not seen that book, but I guess I should. I was very impressed by Stilger.

[Chris Corrigan]

Funny how our circles intersect. I've been involved in the Art of Hosting for a while now, through my friend Toke Moeller, who works with Bob.

The Giving Conference was a bit of a prototype in combingin philanthrophy, hosting and blogging. It worked really well, and has been subsequently replicated in a few places...

At any rate...you an I (and Jon) sure do get around, and yet we seem to arrive at the same bar every once in a while!

[phil cubeta]

Nice to hear that our circles keep intersecting. Organizing seems like churning butter, you just have to keep churning until the cream rises, and the little clumps begin to form. Social organizing, open space, giving, and social change do seem natural allies.