Snowy in Flagstaff

The town of Flagstaff is attempting to dig itself out from the reported 20 inches of snow we received on Monday.  Here on the challenge course, everyone is preparing for the holidays and finishing up  finals. 

Just a note, not an attempt to rub it in, I will be out of the office starting on Friday December 11 and will return on January 4.  The warm climate of Ecuador is calling my name.  Joey will be in the office answering phones and checking email.  I will try to return any messages when I return to the office.  Thanks for your patience.

We hope you have a great holiday season!

Nicholas Hagemann

AZ Association of Facilitators Meeting

Arizona Association of Facilitators
Monday, December 14, 2009 (SECOND MONDAY THIS MONTH!)
TIME: 5:30 – 6:00 p.m. Light Refreshments
6:00 – 7:30 p.m. Program
PLACE: Executive Training Solutions
4926 E. McDowell Rd Suite 102 Phoenix, AZ 85008

Apology and Forgiveness in Business and Life: Mending Relationships, Building Community

Presenter: Bob Oberstein

Program Description:
It was during work as an arbitrator, mediator and facilitator as well as when he was both the Ombudsman and Disabled Student Liaison for Ottawa University when he realized that for years he had been hearing over and over again how, if the other side had only apologized that all of this “fuss” and legality would have not been necessary. Additionally, he would also hear that “their apology is unacceptable” or “I’ll never forgive them.” All of this experience led Bob to research this question of what actually constitutes an acceptable apology and why some work while others do not. Moreover, there is also the question of forgiveness and especially as it relates to enabling improper behavior and the re-victimization of the forgiver. After a period of intense research (which is still ongoing) Bob developed an interdisciplinary course at Ottawa University entitled Apology and Forgiveness which he taught for a number of years. He has since taken this topic and developed a webinar for Traaen & Associates for whom he consults as the Lead Consultant Labor & Employee Relations.

The presentation will include the exploration and discussion of the following:

How do we define apology and forgiveness?
What is the apologetic code?
Why do we need apology & forgiveness in our lives?
What are the apology “No-No’s?”
What are the elements of the successful apology?
Are there different types of apology and forgiveness?
How important is the timing of an apology?
What do we need to know about some of the cultural differences in apology & forgiveness?
What are the elements of successful forgiveness?

About the Speaker:

Bob Oberstein is uniquely qualified in every aspect of labor and employee relations having served on both sides of the labor management table in both the public and private sectors as a neutral fact finder, mediator and arbitrator for multiple organizations and agencies.
As a negotiator he has been chief spokesperson for the City of Phoenix and the Washington Elementary School District and as Senior Labor Relations Administrator with Salt River Project (SRP) where, in the absence of the SRP Labor Relations Manager, he was chief spokesperson. He was also chief spokesperson and negotiator on the labor side of the table between the Part-time Faculty Association and the Maricopa Community College District and earlier as a bargaining team member for the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers.
As Director of the Labor Management Relations Certificate and B.A. programs at Ottawa University in Phoenix, Arizona he has also taught undergraduate and graduate classes in employment and labor law, human resources, conflict resolution, negotiations (I & II), grievance processing, arbitration and ethics.

RSVP:
Email preferred: azafgroup@hotmail.com

or phone Sue Nennemann: 602-481-3498

If you would like to unsubscribe from further mailings, please send an emal to azafgroup@hotmail.com and put “unsubscribe” in the subject line.

Next Meeting: Monday, January 19, 2010 (Third Tuesday, not Monday due to Holiday!!)

Dr. Thomas Ollerman: Facilitator Intervention Profile

DIRECTIONS:
From East – Mesa:

Take US 60 (Superstition Freeway) west towards Phoenix to the Hohokam Expressway or SR 143; head north to end of the SR 143 at McDowell. Turn right onto McDowell; get in left lane and our building is on the north side of McDowell just before the Sonic Drive-in. Suite 102 is at the south end of the complex. You’ll see 4926 is in huge black letters in the upper corner of the front door to Suite 102.

From North – Scottsdale: (near the 101)

Take the SR-101 South to McDowell Rd. exit. Turn right (west) onto E. McDowell Rd. through the Papago Buttes until you come to 4926 E. McDowell just west of the Sonic Drive-in on your left.

From West – Phoenix: (near Interstate 10 or Interstate17)

Take Interstate 10 east to SR-202 east. Exit McDowell Road – it curves to the North to McDowell Turn right onto McDowell; get in left lane and our building is on the north side of McDowell just before the Sonic Drive-in. Suite 102 is at the south end of the complex. You’ll see 4926 is in huge black letters in the upper corner of the front door to Suite 102.

From Airport:

Take the 153 to McDowell Rd.; turn right (east) to 4926 E McDowell – north side

Old Winter Newsletters

I thought that it would be entertaining to post a few of the old newsletters from years past.

Winter 2005 Newsletter 

Winter 2007 Newsletter

Winter 2008 Newsletter

Enjoy the reading.

NIC

Winter Newsletter 2009-2010

We are working on the Winter Newsletter to be published in December or January. I wanted to get your input on the topics that we cover this year.

If there is anything you would like to hear more about the NAU Challenge Course, post a reply or email me at Nicholas.Hagemann@nau.edu.

We will post a link to the final product when the newsletter is completed.

Health and Learning Center: Sustainable Construction

Anytime that you see the distruction of an old building for a new one, the questions of sustaininability and waste come to mind. It was great to read this article, http://mydigimag.rrd.com/publication/?i=25991&page=1&p=35, on the new Health and Learning Center.

GA Position that came across the Ropes List Serve

VALDOSTA STATE UNIVERSITY

Center for Outdoor Recreational Experiences (CORE)

GRADUATE ASSISTANT POSITION AVAILABLE

SPRING 2010

TITLE/DEPARTMENT: Graduate Assistant – CORE

DESCRIPTION: The Graduate Assistant of CORE will report to the
CORE Assistant Director. The Graduate Assistant is responsible for assisting with the administration of CORE which includes: climbing wall, outdoor rental center, challenge course and outdoor trips. The Graduate Assistant will create an experience within all parts of the CORE.

PRIMARY DUTIES: Assist in the planning, marketing, scheduling and
implementation of all aspects of the four major areas of CORE. Recruit, hire, train, schedule, evaluate, and retain facilitators, trip leaders, climbing wall, team leaders and program coordinator. Develop, review and recommend revisions to all CORE policies and procedures. Maintain daily office hours, as well as night time hours for classes and weekend supervision of outdoor trips and challenge course programs.

QUALIFICATIONS: GA will need a minimum of a Bachelors Degree with
one year experience in Outdoor Programming. Outdoor Recreation, Recreation Administration and Adventure Education or related degrees preferred.
Experience in at least two of the following activities areas with certification preferred; Camping, Canoeing, Backpacking, sea kayaking, rock climbing, climbing walls and challenge courses. Experience with outdoor rental equipment and maintenance preferred. Applicants must have a valid driver’s license. CPR and First aid certification with WFA or WFR preferred.
Applicants should have excellent verbal and written communication skills, word processing, desktop publishing computer skills, as well as strong interpersonal skills. They will need the ability to recruit, develop, lead, supervise and motivate student personnel and must possess excellent customer service skills. Qualified candidates must be accepted by VSU Graduate School in Higher Education Leadership-Student Affairs track field of study before the final offer can be made for the position.

About Valdosta State University:

Located in Valdosta, Georgia, the 168 acre campus, serves an area stretching from the Atlantic Ocean to the Alabama state line, containing 31% of the land area of the state. Enrollment has increased steadily and VSU now has a student body of over 12,000 representing 48 states and 50 countries.

For a listing of graduate degrees offered at Valdosta State University, please refer to the graduate school’s website at:

http://www.valdosta.edu/gradschool.

STARTING SALARY: $8,000.00 Stipend for 9 months, Full Tuition Wavier, and $700.00 travel allowance.

LAST DATE FOR CONSIDERATION: The position will remain
open until filled.

PERSONS INTERESTED IN THIS POSITION SHOULD: Forward a letter of application, resume, and a list of references to: Galen Martin, Assistant Director – CORE. 1500 North Patterson Street. Valdosta, GA 31698 or email to gmartin@valdosta.edu. Phone: (229) 245-2360, (Cell) 229-269-6079, Fax:
(229) 293-6113.

NOTES: The Graduate Assistant Package includes: $8,000.00 stipend for 9 months (Fall/Spring Semesters), the position is a 2 year contract renewable annually. Full tuition waived ($3,516.00 in-state & $14,060.00 out-of-state). Summer employment is available at an hourly rate. Travel budget of $700 per year for professional development provided. GA must pay student fees (approximately $590/semester).

Galen Martin

Assistant Director – Center for Outdoor

Recreational Experiences (CORE)

Instructor – Kinesiology and Physical Education

1500 N. Patterson

Valdosta, Georgia 31698

Office – 229-245-2360

Cell – 229-269-6079

Fax – 229-293-6113

e-mail – gmartin@valdosta.edu

Facebook – CORE

We don’t receive wisdom; we must discover it for ourselves after a journey that no one can take for us or spare us.

Marcel Proust (1871 -
1922)

More Pics from the Health and Learning Center Construction

Construction crew working of the Health and Learning Center

The construction crew working on the Health and Learning

Here are a few pics from yesterday morning of the construction of the Health and Learning Center.

Arizona Association of Facilitators and the Project for Civil Discourse

I just recieved a call for facilitators to assist the Project for Civil Discourse.  Sounds like an interesting opportunity.  The details are listed below…

Here is an opportunity to put your facilitation skills to practice!

            Project Civil Discourse needs your help!   You are invited to volunteer your facilitation skills for a few hours during the evening of December 1.   AZAF is one of 21 organizations throughout the state that are partners with Project Civil Discourse, dedicated to using the skills of civil discourse and collaboration to help make for a more informed citizenry.

            Given the many “uncivil” meetings during the past few months, the partners of Project Civil Discourse and other organizations believe there is a better way for Arizonans to learn about health care proposals being considered by Congress.

            What:    Speaking, Not Shouting: A Community Conversation About Health Care Reform

            When:    6:00-9:00 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1  [Registration at 5:30]

            Where:   AE England Building in Civic Park, 444 North Central Ave. in Phoenix. The event is free to the public, with first-come, first-served registration required; attendance will be limited to 120 participants. A registration Website will “go live” early this week and information will be available at http://www.azhumanities.org/pcd1/.

            Format:  The evening will open with a brief summary of the status of health care reform legislation and a presentation about why health care costs have increased. Featured speakers are James G. Hodge, Jr., Lincoln Professor of Health Law and Ethics at the Sandra Day O’Connor College of Law at Arizona State University and Roger Hughes, Executive Director of St. Luke’s Health Initiatives. You will be provided with background resource information before the event. The event moderator will review guidelines for civil discussion.

            Groups of eight participants will sit at round tables, each with a facilitator and a recorder, to address topics that may include access to health care, balancing individual rights with the community’s interest in managing public health issues and controlling health care costs, and the proper role of government in regulating/controlling costs related to health care. At the end of the discussions, recorders will be invited to the podium to briefly share a key point discussed by each group. Notes taken by recorders will be synthesized in a report summarizing the discussions that will be shared with the Arizona congressional delegation, the press, and all participants.

            Facilitators who wish to participate are required to attend one Orientation Meeting with complimentary lunch from 11:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. on Monday, Nov. 23, at the Arizona Humanities Council, The Ellis-Shackelford House, 1242 N. Central Ave., Phoenix.   You may register for the Orientation Meeting and lunch by e-mailing sharon@flanagan-hyde.com or calling 480-361-1795.  Let Sharon know if you are unable to attend the meeting and still wish to participate.  Facilitators are asked to arrive at 5:30 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 1. That’s it!

         RSVP by 11/13:     If you are interested and able to facilitate, please reply to me at sbulfinch@aol.com by Friday, Nov. 13, 2009.  If you have any questions about facilitating, please call Sharon Flanagan-Hyde at 480-361-1795 or e-mail sharon@flanagan-hyde.com.

        The goal of the event is to create an atmosphere where people can participate in a meaningful civil discussion that provides insight to key decision-makers on this critical issue, and models the principles of informed, respectful conversation. We appreciate your consideration of volunteering for this important event.

Sincerely,

Susan

Susan Bulfinch, AZAF Member

480-209-1295

Thinkfinity Resource for Activities

A couple of years ago, I saw a documentary about Eric Weihenmayer’s summit of Everest. A very inspirational story because Eric is blind. I still have a distinct image of Eric crossing the ice fields balancing on aluminum ladders while wearing crampons.

I was excited to see that Eric has recently put together educational materials around adventure and mountaineering. Although the corporate sponsorship is slapped all over the site, it looks like there is a lot of great content. Check it out http://www.thinkfinity.org/Adventure.aspx.

Questions About Universal Design

One of the key components of the challenge course industry is what we call Power of Choice.  (PA labels it Challenge by Choice)  What happens when individuals lose this choice because of their physical abilities?  Do challenge courses have a responsibility to made the experiences that they provide inclusive?   I think that these are questions that need to be asked within the challenge course industry.

The debate is complicated further when you examine the types of inclusive experiences that you are providing.  If one participant has a disability, do you need to completely adjust and adapt the activity to meet their needs?  Do the other participants miss out on the experience because of this adaptation?

As you can clearly see that I have more questions than answers.  I would like to see what you think.  How do you make the experiences that create inclusive?  What are the principles of your practice?

NIC