Sharing the Tools of AI and Appreciative Leadership
Tri-Regional Association Conference, Mexico City, October, 2013
Based on a goal that Jeff had set at the 2012 EU summer retreat in Asheville, he presented the workshop Building the Positive Core in Schools with Appreciative Inquiry for educators attending the annual Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia - Caribbean, and Mexico conference. The session was well received by the teachers and administrators in attendance who had no previous knowledge of AI. Jeff and Sherry are considering future workshops for educators based upon this workshop.

Graduation!
Tilburg University, Netherlands, May 2013
Jeff successfully completed his doctoral defense at Tilburg University in earning his Ph.D. in Social Sciences. In addition, Jeff was invited to join the Taos Institute as an associate member, in continuing to work in the promotion of capacity building practices that based in social construction.

Renewing Our Core
Asheville, N.C., June, 2012
EU hosted our own summit to come together with two friends and colleagues, Mary Jo and Todd Amani, to explore our purpose, our vitality, our vision and mission. Using AI and Open Space methodology, we found ourselves empowered in ways that led us to dream of creating a "mentors' circle" where we invite others to join in our activities including a shared book read, possibly posting your own talents and "services" with us on our website and exploring a coaching model in both personal and group ways. As Todd and Mary Jo post their stories and we post a link to an invitation shared read, enjoy and consider how you, too, might share in this venture of unlimited possibilities!

Learning About Becoming a Spiritual Warrior
ALIA Institute, Halifax, Nova Scotia, June, 2012
Sherry attended the Authentic Leadership in Action's Summer Institute along with over 200 other "social innovators" from around the world. She opted for the track on "Leader as Spiritual Warrior" led by Margaret (Meg) Wheatley and Jerry Granelli and found it to be inspiring, challenging, and motivating. The teachings were based in Shambhala Buddhism and the belief that basic goodness is at the core of every human being. A leader as warrior has the courage, perserverance and mindfulness to open to that goodness and invite others to as well. 

Completing Doctoral Studies in Social Construction
Jeff is working toward completing his studies in an innovative doctoral program co-sponsored by the Taos Institute and Tilburg University of the Netherlands . The focus of his dissertation is an exploration of the use and utility of Appreciative Leadership in today's schools. An Appreciative Inquiry Team Learning Process is used in the methodology of this qualitative case study. Participation in this Ph.D. program has enabled Jeff to build upon his understanding and use of Appreciative Inquiry-based 'tools' such as Appreciative Intelligence, Appreciative Learning, Appreciative Pedagogy and Appreciative Governance for empowering learning and leadership.