Bubbly IDEAS RISE to the Occasion

I'm just bubbly about the Conference results.

And our "ideas" just keep bubbling up!

Stay tuned, many more bubbles are on the rise.......

Just a couple of simple notes on our "BUBBLY VISIONING" process on Sunday.

"He who cherishes a beautiful vision, a lofty ideal in his heart, will one day realize it."

"Most of us give up on the dreams that are important to us far too early. We think of all the reasons why we’ll never reach our dream instead of all the reasons why it’s important to us."

“What a different story people would have to tell if they would adopt a definite purpose and stand by that purpose until it had time to become an all-consuming purpose."

”Breathe some new life into that big dream you’re about to let die."

"Fall in love with it again and become an obsessive lover of it."

“You’re not on this Planet to live someone else’s dream.” And that’s worth thinking about!

Best,

Jim

SUNDAY / BRING YOUR DIGITAL PICTURES OF THE SOL CONFERENCE

And your imagination!

Best,

Jim

The REAL end-game surfaces

Hi Folks:


Starlady:

As Lonnie Oliver (David’s Grandfather) said to us as we entered the conference center “You gotta put wings on it to make it fly.” Great advice.

Best, luv

Jim

From: LTSTAR1253@aol.com [mailto:LTSTAR1253@aol.com] Sent: Thursday, October 21, 2004 8:48 PMTo: Jross2@earthlink.netSubject: Re: FW: Need email address please ASAP!!

Jim:

There is not enough I can say or do to repay you for all the good things that have taken place as a result of SoL. It put Amber, David and Kaylyn on a higher playing field, one of which very few people can even imagine. Our director was unresponsive to all this activity, nor did he come by to congratulate the students. But it did not seem necessary. Their hearts and spirit was way above that. They are on a visionary flight mission.

Love,

Starlady

Letter of Recommendation for Katelyn Smith

Katelyn:

I have recieved your lettered request and will forward requested letter via "snail mail" immediately.

Best,

Jim

Next Step in Our Sustainable Sol K-12 Education Initiative

Hi Folks:

You might be interested in the Global Leadership Initiative

http://www.globalleadershipinitiative.org

Let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best,

Jim

Civility Center Weighs In on Sol Conference

Hi guy's: (FYI from Kent Roberts of the Civility Center)

Jim,

Thanks again for all you did last week! I like what you are planning with the students. Whatever we do, it should have those students front and center. I would be very interested in leveraging the students ideas to the cross section of our community. I believe there are many organizations that would love to have the students present. This week is out for me but I do have some time next week. Right now my weekends are filled up with family activities but my weekday nights and days can be available. later - Kent

-----Original Message-----
From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]
Sent: Tuesday, October 19, 2004 8:14 AM
To: kent.roberts@civilitycenter.org
Subject: FW: Need email address please ASAP!!

Kent: (FYI)

Debriefing? Let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best,

Jim

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers / Sol Conference Update

On Wednesday, October 13th, 2004, Pat O’Connor of Detroit District’s Regulatory Branch attended one day of a week-long international conference of the Society for Organizational Learning (SOL) (http://www.solonline.org/ ). The conference was held at the Ford Conference Center in Dearborn, Michigan and included numerous educational organizations, non-profits, government agencies and Fortune 100 Corporate participants. Attending from around the world were student participants in the SEED Water Project, a worldwide initiative designed “to enable students to investigate water quality and availability; to hone skills essential to maintaining and improving the quality of water sources in their local communities; and to facilitate the sharing of their data and ideas with other students. And as with other SEED efforts, this was achieved by putting new technologies into the hands of young people and allowing students, and teachers, to learn by doing.”(http://www.seed.slb.com/en/voices/science/cairo/) Students from as far away as Malaysia were both presenters and participants. All attendees shared the common goal of addressing the challenges associated with developing sustainable relationships within large organizations, between business, education, municipalities, government, and other community entities, and ways to establish and maintain sustainable economic, social and ecological systems.

Pat’s participation during the conference reflects both his interest in ecosystems and in effective environmental teaching and learning opportunities for children. An additional Detroit District benefit of his presence was that it was that it afforded him informal opportunities to discuss the Corps’ expanding mission in environmental sustainability. He has been invited to be take part in forthcoming conversations with a Boston-based SOL group that includes author and SOL chairman Peter Senge, best known for his book, The Fifth Discipline: The Art and Practice of The Learning Organization (1990) (http://commhum.mccneb.edu/PHILOS/senge.htm)

As well as being a Corps-trained biologist, Pat has worked to create and sustain water education program opportunities with Oakland County Schools, the City of Pontiac and other interested watershed groups.

Pat has an ongoing volunteer role with the McMath Hulbert Observatory (http://www.mcmathhulbert.org/ ). The networking aspects provided by the conference also provided a conduit between the Detroit District and potential partners concerning the work we do and future outreach possibilities. New and continued District partnerships are the genesis of our continued success in the Great Lakes region. Currently, District volunteer partnerships between the Corps, major corporations, Oakland County Schools, the City of Pontiac and other interested watershed groups are serving to create a regional nature education center on the Clinton River in Pontiac, MI. Recently, Pat was a key player in securing a grant of $175,000 from the MDNR Trust Fund to purchase and transform a stretch of abandoned railroad along the Clinton River in Pontiac into a new link in the Clinton River “Rails-to-Trails”. Pat is also an active local volunteer partner in the ongoing conversation for turning the adjacent 33 acres of woods, fields, flood plains and wetlands into a nature education center.

Sol Conference / Update

Hi Guy's: (FYI)

Hi Sherry:

Yes the "being in the moment" (Presence) was all one could have possibly imagined..........and more, thanks to the student's preparation, creativity, imagination and stellar performance. Of course it will be what we do with that enlightening experience (life-changing) that determines our ultimate continued success or failure on their behalf (sustainability).

We have several hundred pictures that were captured by the students and myself. We are distilling them as we speak to create a DVD of our experiences (Our Sol Conference Story). Perhaps we can use the images you captured to add additional value to same. Could you forward me a copy of the newsletter so that we might include it also?

Don, Oya and Ravi are long-time, partnered, kindred spirits and have been in the forefront of several technologically pioneering societal initiatives that have impacted the way the world works, communicates and thinks. They are in a word, a treasure.

We were truly blessed by having Linda Torony and B.C. Cotter support this out of the classroom experience. Their preparation, continued support and intellectual buy-in may provide the "glue that bonds" regarding any outcomes resonating from our continued efforts.

Thanks for the kind words. Our "surrender to commitment" continues. We should probably get the entire group together to debrief and capture all of the insights, ideas, conceptual thoughts, etc. before they fade into the recesses of our harried lives.

We are currently preparing for the Total Lunar Eclipse evening event that will take place on October 27, 2004 at the observatory. The students intend to "connect" with their newly found colleagues & friends around the world and share the moment.

Additionally, Pat O'Connor a friend of the observatory and one of our guest's at the event who is a "field biologist" with the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Detroit District has been contacted by Case University (Sol Partner) and has been asked to participate with them in a phone conference in December 2004. We will attempt to include the students in same to continue the connectedness.

I'm sure their will be more to come.

Hope all finds you well. Please keep me informed as regards next steps, etc.

Best,

Jim

-----Original Message-----
From: Kuchon, Sherry [mailto:Sherry.Kuchon@oakland.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Monday, October 18, 2004 5:47 PM
To: 'James Ross'
Subject: RE: Need email address please ASAP!!

Hey Jim,

What a great find your friends are. Oya is amazing, as is Ravi. Ravi impressed me in every session we shared. I didn't get to spend much time with Don, but I'm sure if he surrounds himself with folks like Oya and Ravi, he must be "of the same feather."

I have some great photos of you and your friends. I can only send 2-3 at a time, otherwise they come back. Will you share some of your photos? I know you were taking "lots." I put the group photo in the all-staff newsletter this morning so Linda should get some recognition. She's a great lady.

Thank you Jim for working behind the scenes to line those kids up. I don't think we could have pulled it all together as quickly as we did if the players had not already been identified and committed.

I'm looking forward to working with Oya. I think she may be the missing element that will make this proposal a reality.

It was good to see you last week.

Take care.

Sherry

-----Original Message-----
From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]
Sent: Sunday, October 17, 2004 9:43 AM
To: sherry.kuchon@oakland.k12.mi.us
Subject: FW: Need email address please ASAP!!

Hi Sherry: (FYI)

What a GREAT insightful experience! And now to the envisioned outcomes we have discussed. Please let me know what you need from me.

Best,

Jim

October 27, 2004 Total Lunar Eclipse

Hi Guy's:

Here is some information on the October 27, 2004 Total Lunar Eclipse

http://skyandtelescope.com/printable/observing/objects/eclipses/article_1343.asp

Let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best,

Jim

End-game / Pontiac NATURE Center

Hey guys: (FYI)

They say timing is everything.

Perhaps we should follow-up our efforts with the Mayor of Pontiac whom we invited to visit the Sol Conference regarding our continued effort on behalf of the Pontiac NATURE Center end-game initiative we discussed as an outcome possibility of our sustainable efforts.

http://www.theoaklandpress.com/stories/101704/loc_20041017051.shtml

Please let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best,

Jim

LATE....but not forgotten

CFG TEAM:

Hi Jana:

Not to worry.....when things are happening for the "first time" you can never be late.

By now you have probably already heard that we were extremely successful (big step taken) in our efforts on behalf of the Sol Conference (one of the elements of our meeting discussions). The observatory student Communications Focus Group Team (CFG), were extraordinary. Additionally, we were joined by two students from the Pontiac Schools District and B.C. Cotter a science teacher at Pontiac Central High School. Linda Torony & B.C. Cotter provided support, steady guidance and excellent suggestions to the assembled international student team over several days. The scale of their contributions and commitment can not be measured it was as they say immeasurable.

When Oakland Schools superintendent Vickie Markevitch and other Oakland Schools administrators attended the conference for an afternoon they were very pleased and excited by what they witnessed. Peter Senge the creator of the Sol Organization was also quite excited by the contribution the local students made to the entire conference and its continuing body of knowledge. In fact, the students have been invited to participate in the 2006 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia. If we begin to address this opportunity immediately perhaps we can be ready. Please let me know what your thoughts might be about this since we wouldn't want to miss that opportunity.

Let's continue to discuss the other possibilities that were "left on the table" so to speak and any that are still possible this year. There is "magic" in them and of course in the students.

Hope all finds you well. I haven't heard from Tom. I hope he is healing.

Thanks for the kind words.

Best,

Jim

*NSF Grant 2004 anyone.....
cc. John Iras at jfiras@wideopenwest.com

-----Original Message-----
From: Thams, Jana [mailto:Jana.Thams@oakland.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Friday, October 15, 2004 1:17 PM
To: 'James Ross'
Subject: RE: Working Lunch Follow-Up

Hi Jim -

First let me apologize for my lateness in getting back to you. I know you have had conversations with Linda and possibly with Tom, (although I'm not sure about that.)

However, I wanted to thank you for coming out to the school to visit with us. Unfortunately, we are not ready to take that big step at this time. It is all pretty overwhelming to all of us....if there isn't support from Linda and Tom, then it really would be hard to move forward. And I know that they are interested, just probably not on such a big scale.

I really want you to know, however, how much I appreciate you and your interest in working with our students. I respect and admire your thoughts and ideas and I look forward to working with you this year again in some work-based experiences.... whatever that may be.
Have a great Weekend!

Jana

PS - Amber and Katelyn were bouncing off the walls this morning when they came into school! It was so cool to see their excitement! (Life altering experiences have a way of doing that to people!) (;<)

-----Original Message-----
From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 2:45 PM
To: 'Thams, Jana'
Subject: RE: Working Lunch

Hi Jena:
Friday would work best for me. I will look forward to seeing everyone at 10:30AM at OSTC/NW.
Best,
Jim
-----Original Message-----
From: Thams, Jana [mailto:Jana.Thams@oakland.k12.mi.us]
Sent: Monday, September 13, 2004 10:36 AM
To: 'jross2@earthlink.net'
Subject: Working Lunch

Jim - Linda said that either Wednesday or Friday of this week would be alright. We could meet with you for just 1/2 hour.....from 10:30 to 11:00.
Does that fit into your schedule? Just let me know which day is best.
Thanks - Jana

Sol Conference Team

To All:

CONGRATULATIONS ON YOUR "SURRENDER TO COMMITMENT" EXPERIENCE!

You were as we previously agreed, " a force of nature" to be reckoned with. No one could have been prouder of your accomplishments then I, except possibly, Mr. Lonnie Oliver and/or Peter Senge. We bask in your glory!

Please attempt to communicate your experiences and understandings here before they disappear into the recesses of your mind.

Hope all finds you safe, well and reflective relative to your newly found universal understanding.

Best,

Jim

(1st day) After entering Greenfield Village we came upon a wall of names.  

(1st day) On our way we passed the tower for the ford Museum. 

(Field trip #1) After our stroll, we meet up with Jeremy,who has worked for Ford for many years, gave us some local history and a bit of knowledge about Henry Ford's collection of houses at Greenfield Village. We continued walking.  

(1st day-field trip) After walking some odd distance we now face the car that feel pedestrians don't have the right of way! 

(1st day) another group from many different nations conversing about todays workshop and preperations for the SEED presentations. 

(1st day) Waiting for fellow SoL-mates to finish up eating 

(1st day-break) Everyone doing there own thing=chaos 

(1st day) time to stretch our legs, 15 minute break (notice the piano) 

Fish Game Rules

Hey friends, if you weren't there for the workshop on the first day of the Pre-forum. Here's a rundown of the rules and how to play.
Your table is the ocean.
Your ocean's fish capacity is 16 fish.
And after each turn your fish are replenished by 25%. (So if you had 12 fish left you'd get 3 more fish.)
Now you have 7 rounds to get the most fish and you win.
Depending on however many people are at your table you can be more creative or less so on how you get to the 7th round with the most fish. (3-6 people per table)
Now the first game you must choose a type of fishing technique and stick withit throughout the game, but the second game you can switch.
Fishing types:
1.) Harpoon Fishing: take one fish
2.) Regulated long-line fishing: take two fish
3.) Free-for-all long-line fishing: take three fish

It took my group three games to figure out a regulation.
Bewarned 25% is not alot with lower numbers.
Have fun!!

~Katelyn

(1st day) The fish game discussions 

(1st day) begining a new activity, learn about a person (from said person) then tell everyone else about them. 

(1st day) more conversation 

1st day of Pre-Forum Workshop -getting too know each other 

Look what I can do!

Hey guys,

Sorry about the sudden change but I like it. If you don't like the changes just e-mail me and I'll change it if your reasoning makes sense. Oh! And I finally figured out and downloaded the proper software to pictures on the Blog if you could miss it, this is so much fun! And guess what!

IT'S ALL FREE! More emphasis on the FREE part!

Well, I'll see you all tomorrow!

~Katelyn

Sol Forum meeting- discussing and preparing for the up coming event. 

Jim Ross busy at work. 

Pontiac Central High School Student Participant

Hi guy's:

I have just been informed that we have a "new partner" in our Sol Conference SEED Program efforts. His name is Taurence Armstrong and I believe he is a Junior. I have called and left a message at his home and e-mailed him ( taurence156@aol.com ) to let him know of our plans this weekend. Perhaps he will be able to join us tomorrow and/or Sunday. There is still a chance we will also have a student representative from Pontiac Northren but I haven't heard yet.

bea talkin atcha...

Best,

Jim

Sol Conference Student Roster / Update Information

Hi guy's:

The roster information that you provided (personal profile) has been added to the Seed Work Sheet and forwarded to the appropriate conference officials. Thanks for your efforts.

We will be meeting as discussed on Saturday, October 9, 2004 at 10:00AM at the observatory to outline our conference goals & objectives.

We will also be going to the conference on Sunday, however we will be attempting to leave the observatory at 7:00AM instead of the 10:00AM meeting time we had previously discussed. This will allow us to have breakfast at 8:00AM with the other students at their hotel. There will be no charge for your breakfast. Please let me know if this time-change is problematic. We should be returning sometime around 3:00PM in the afternoon.

I will be looking forward to seeing you tomorrow morning.

Best,

Jim

Another Kindred Spirit "Rings the Bell"

Hey Folks:

As you already know you make your friends where you find them. Please keep the following name Sherry Kuchon in your thoughts when you are at the conference. Perhaps you will get the chance to meet her. Please make sure you thank her for her positive efforts on your behalf.

Best,

Jim

*E-mail to Sherry Kuchon 10-6-2004

Hi Sherry:

In speaking with Kent yesterday prior to your “OCQC steering committee” meeting he made me aware that you had intervened on behalf of the Sol Conference SEED Program student’s participation through the OSTC/NW administrators. I want to thank you for the “wake-up call!” I’m also not surprised from whence it came. (;<)

I also want to thank you on behalf of those students and teachers taking part in the conference. I will make sure they know they have another “kindred spirit” in their camp.

Hope all finds you well.

Best,

Jim

Response from Sherry Kuchon 10-6-2004

Thank you Jim, for the kinds words. My heart and convictions are totally in line with yours when it comes to young people and their freedom to learn and discover. Don't think for a minute that I don't hold all the information I have about "possibilities", for that opportune moment to plant the seed in fertile soil. I refuse to spend any time throwing seeds on rocks.

I do want to say on behalf of Marlana, her heart is with the kids as well. For whatever reasons, the powers that be moved me closer to the head office and has buried Marlana in layers of organizational buracracy. She manages to do great things with students in spite of it.

I miss the occasional trip to the observatory. I know it's most beautiful in the fall. I have not yet acquired a state of equilibrium since last spring's shake up and consequently scrutinize how I ration my time. But know our many conversations lay close at heart for for an open door or a chance to push the door open when the odds for success are in our favor.

I do really appreciate your words. You and Kent have both been the champions and I am happy to support your work. I look forward to spending some time with you next week.

Sherry

Call Sent Out for the U.S Army Corps of Engineers for Sustainability

Kent:

Call out the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers for SUSTAINABILITY! I will keep you posted.

Best,

Jim

From: O'Connor, Patrick S LRE [mailto:Patrick.S.O'Connor@lre02.usace.army.mil] Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 10:00 AMTo: Hess, Joyce D LRECc: O'Connor, Patrick S LRESubject: Conference next week


-----Original Message-----From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net]Sent: Tuesday, October 05, 2004 8:50 AMTo: 'Patrick Katie O'Connor'Subject: FW:

Joyce,

Jim Ross called with an invitation for my to attend an event in the role of a field biologist with an interest and a stake in wetlands, science education, and watershed issues.

This is an international week-long conference next week in Dearborn with Fortune 100 Corporate attendees looking at developing sustainable relationships between business, education, and community entities for long-benefit mutual benefits to all parties.

The conferenceholds the possibility of developing a water education program in the Oakland County Schools by introducing the possibility of partnership between the Corps, major Corporations, Oakland County Schools, the City of Pontiac and other interested watershed groups to create, among other things, a regional nature education center on the Clinton River in Pontiac. I was instrumental in obtaining a grant for $175,000 to purchase the abandoned railroad and convert it to a Clinton River Rails-to-Trails and I am a local partner in the ongoing conversation to develop the adjacent 33 acres of woods, fields, and wetlands into a nature education center.

I would like to request of the colonel having me be there as an official representative to speak of my ongoing volunteer role as a Corps-trained biologist, and particularly about being a partner in Wetland Education in Great Lake Watersheds from the Detroit District. I know it's late notice, but when such opportunities arise I feel it's important to make a request. This would of course have to be OK'd with John Konik, Chief of Regulatory.

I am attending on Monday, October 11th. It would be great if I could be there speaking not only for myself but also as an example and an advocate of the Corps outreach role in both environmental education and environmental sustainability, and to initiate a conversation for future outreach possibilities. I am attending in any event, and it would be great to be there also representing the Detroit District.

I would appreciate your partnership in assisting me.

Thanks,

Pat



From: James Ross [mailto:Jross2@earthlink.net] Sent: Friday, October 01, 2004 2:04 PMTo: 'LTSTAR1253@aol.com'Subject:

Pat: (Information on Sol Conference)

Sol Conference (Peter Senge http://www.fieldbook.com/ ) Materials at http://www.sustaincom.org October 11-14 2004

This is a high profile conference regarding Society for Organizational Learning (SOL) strategies. We will have a contingent of youth representing Oakland Schools and Pontiac Schools with some students from Detroit Public Schools. They will be actively engaged in the conference with the SEED Program http://www.seed.slb.com portion of same. I would love to have you visit briefly and press the flesh. The “end-game” may offer us many mutual opportunities. You can also access efforts on the part of the students at their blog-site at http://comfg.blogspot.com/

Let me know what your thoughts might be.

Best,

Jim

Sunday "Breakfast Club" Meeting 10-3-2004

Hi Guy's:

Thanks for the planning time on task on Sunday regarding the Sol Conference. Make sure you follow-up on your paper work (Conference & Personal Request), etc. Thanks to Katelyn for providing the "vittles!" Thanks for the help in touring the teachers from the Pontiac Academy of Excellence and sharing your thoughts about your experiences at the observatory. And finally thanks to your parents for their support (permission to attend the conference as vacation days if necessary) on your behalf.

I believe your persistence and performance have produced some "breakthrough understanding" with the Oakland Schools administration and subsequently with the OSTC/NW administrators. On Monday I received several phone calls regarding same and you probably know more about that then I do. As we discussed on Sunday a presentation to Dean Locklear would be a wonderful gesture. Please keep the profile positive, passionate and sustainable.

Hope all finds you well. And CONGRATULATIONS!

Best,

Jim

P.S. Now the real work begins!
P.S.S. HICK'S RULE!