This is a follow-up to the March conversation: Post Copenhagen. What Next?
One of the take-aways was that climate change and sustainability are also about water as an increasingly scarce resource. Another major factor is the growth of mega-cities and the urban middle class.

We will meet for an informal discussion about how to proceed in the development of a series of events related to ideas about LEED building standards, combined perhaps with similar standards for water conservation.  Mention has also been made to such topics as:

• Vertical farming and Urban forestry
• Upgrading existing structures such as the Empire State Building to 21st Century standards
• Leadership role of tertiary education centers such as Cooper Union to sponsor the new architecture of sustainability
• Special visits to nearby Green structures such as the Omega Center, Rhinebeck, NY
• Private Investment and Global Sustainability Initiatives

We need your participation to move things forward.  Please join us. 
For security reasons, your name and the names of any guests should be provided in advance.

RSVP or questions to Robin Thompson, FRSA, robin.thompson@landor.com

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A Win-Win Plan For Iceland Britain and the Netherlands  IPS, March 8, 2010 

Is GDP an Obsolete Measure of Progress?  Time Magazine, January 30, 2010 

Supreme Court’s Shocker Makes CSR Key Buttress of Democracy  CSRWire Talkback, January 29, 2010 

With appreciation and warm wishes, 

Hazel Henderson, FRSA http://www.ethicalmarkets.com/contact/

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Looking forward, watch for networking and lecture dates in New England, the northeast, the southeast, north central, and southern California.  From a project perspective, initiatives are in development which will draw on the diverse skill sets of the global fellowship and offer opportunities for multidisciplinary collaboration and transatlantic engagement.  Also, check out the RSA Fellowship Council Ning where fellows are pondering  “A BIG Fellowship Project” and sharing many inspirational ideas and examples.

I’ve heard from several Fellows recently about their own ideas and look forward to working with them to help make them a reality.  Topics include

• Nutrition, health and childhood obesity
• National security, including energy and food security
• Education and keeping up with technological change
• Preventing another economic meltdown
• Promoting creativity and strategic thinking at every stage of life 

I can’t help thinking there are potentially many “BIG Projects” out there if only we can make the right connections.  Don’t be intimidated by the thought of bigger projects. Inspired ideas come in all shapes and sizes and there is a role for everyone. Perhaps you have an idea of your own but don’t know how to get started?  Tell us about it by leaving a comment here.

The Omega Center for Sustainable Living (OCSL) is a state-of-the art education center and natural wastewater treatment facility. A model of sustainable architecture, the OCSL is a pioneering project in the Living Building Challenge and is expected to be the first building in the United States to receive the Living Building designation in addition to receiving LEED Platinum certification.

Save the date – time to be announced.

For more info http://www.eomega.org/omega/about/ocsl/ or contact Carole at cfr7217964@aol.com

For directions http://www.eomega.org/omega/visitors/travel-directions/

Carole Franco, FRSA

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It has been of great interest to me that most of our “pledgies” already are at work to achieve the goals and purposes already contained in our various manifestos. Our fellows are ahead and need to be ahead of our organization. An approach that would stimulate RSA’s growth is to help build the work of our most innovative, give them the intellectual and social support they need.

Recently, Lynn Broadbent reminded us of Benjamin Franklin’s creation of a social networking group named “Junto” in 1727. They met in Philadelphia for “mutual improvement and discussion”. The composition of the group was precociously democratic:” a cobbler, a glazier, a scrivener and at least one “gentleman.” Clearly those invited were meant to form a a society of persons who enjoyed each other’s company as they brought forward new ideas to help society, ways they could help each other in moving ahead economically and socially, etc. I see a lot of RSA in this and suggest that Ben breathed a lot of this thinking into the development of the RSA .

In this sense there are no “New Paradigms” although I have chosen these words to shake our roots newly to see if Lynn’s “Social Networks in 1757“ have grafts that can be added to our practice which will reflect Fellow Franklin’s Junto.

It is in this spirit that we introduce the first two of a series of lectures and discussions organized by the New England Section Of RSA-US.

May 6, 2010 1pm – 2:30pm - Office of the UK Consulate General, 1 Broadway, Cambridge, MA – A Luncheon Meeting
BILL STONE, ESQ FRSA “New Paradigms in the Workplace: making Virtual a Reality” 
Bill is an entrepreneur and a lawyer who has designed a life of work, home, leisure, and philanthropy that “beats working in a law office all day”, yet brings him choices in work and play as never before. Bill will disclose his secret through describing the evolution of the firm Outside General Counsel, LLC of which he is a Principal.

June 2010- Office of the UK Consulate General- Cambridge, MA (date TBD)
Dr. Phil Budden Consul General UK in Boston, FRSA ”New Paradigms on the Business/Government Interface” 
Phil will speak at the new Consulate  General in Cambridge post-election. He will deal with international relations and the role of the diplomatic corps in a changing world.

Arthur Mark FRSA

Nikhil Chandavarkar in conversation with David A. Andelman

An invitation-only event co-presented by the Royal Society for the Arts in the United States and the World Policy Journal

Nikhil Chandavarkar, FRSA, Secretary to UN-Water, offers his unique insights on the outcomes of the COP15 talks in a conversation with David A. Andelman, Editor of the World Policy Journal.

This special event brings together two thought-leaders to offer expert perspectives on the key issues coming out of the COP15 talks. What are prospects for an effective global climate change treaty? What was achieved and what is left to do? How can individuals, organizations, communities and countries play a part in what comes next?

This event is part of a series of programs on sustainability in which RSA-US connects ideas with action locally, nationally, and globally. We will try to address the struggles at each level to define scope, communicate in ways that can be relevant and easy to grasp, and empower people to see themselves as having the ability to make a difference. For more information on the RSA visit www.theRSA.org.

This event is made possible by the generous support of our speakers, partners and sponsors. RSA-US is grateful to the World Policy Journal and 92Y for their partnership.

To reserve a place, email LBroadbent@rsa-us.org. This event will fill quickly so early reservations are recommended. Priority will be given to RSA Fellows and their guests. A cash bar is available for informal discussion after the close of the program.

Suggested hashtag for Twitter users: #RsaNewYork

Click for Directions 

# Do you know of any fellow citizen, who has lately done a worthy action, deserving praise and imitation? or who has committed an error proper for us to be warned against and avoid?
# What unhappy effects of intemperance have you lately observed or heard? of imprudence? of passion? or of any other vice or folly?
# What happy effects of temperance? of prudence? of moderation? or of any other virtue?
# Do you think of any thing at present, in which the Junto may be serviceable to mankind? to their country, to their friends, or to themselves?
# Do you know of any deserving young beginner lately set up, whom it lies in the power of the Junto any way to encourage?
# Have you lately observed any defect in the laws, of which it would be proper to move the legislature an amendment? Or do you know of any beneficial law that is wanting?
# Have you lately observed any encroachment on the just liberties of the people?
# Hath any body attacked your reputation lately? and what can the Junto do towards securing it?
# Is there any man whose friendship you want, and which the Junto, or any of them, can procure for you?
# Have you any weighty affair in hand, in which you think the advice of the Junto may be of service?

The group is credited with promoting innovations such as volunteer fire-fighting clubs, improved security (night watchmen), and a public hospital.  Not so very different from the RSA networks of today!  Hope to see you at a Junto Soon!

Friday, March 5, 2010
12:00 PM – 4:00 PM
Pfizer Inc
235 East 42nd St.
4th Floor, 219 Building,
Times Square Room
New York, NY 10017

Offered in association with:
CCM – Council of Communication Management

“The chief communication officer at a Fortune 500, multi-national corporation today faces the challenges of a rapidly changing global economy, a revolution in communication channels fueled by the Internet, and a substantially transformed understanding of what a 21st century corporation stands for.” This is the opening sentence in Michael B. Goodman and Peter B. Hirsch’s new book Corporate Communication: Strategic Adaptation for Global Practice (available in April, Peter Lang Publishing), and it sets the context for this year’s Symposium on Reputation.

In today’s environment of accelerating change, according to Goodman and Hirsch, organizations must understand the “trigger points that signal shifts” which can threaten organizational sustainability or provide opportunities for renewal and growth. How do we respond pragmatically to this new reality? Can leading practices in corporate communication pave the way? How do we as organizations and professionals adapt strategically? Goodman and Hirsch’s work is built on the concrete voices of practicing professionals and CCI’s research. It provides a framework to understand not only what is occurring, but also to determine what we can do about it.

Goodman and Hirsch will set the stage for our dialogue. We will then hear examples of corporate communication leadership mapping the way forward. And finally, with our speakers, we will determine how we, as a profession, adapt to lead the way.

PROGRAM
12:00 – 12:55 PM
Registration, Lunch & Networking
 
12:55 – 1:00 PM
Welcome
John P. Santoro, Vice President, Stakeholder Communications, Pfizer Inc
 
1:00 – 1:30 PM
Introduction: Corporate Communication & Strategic Adaptation
Michael B. Goodman, Ph.D., Professor & Director, MA Program in Corporate Communication, Baruch College/CUNY & Director, CCI at Baruch College/CUNY
Peter B. Hirsch, Corporate Communications Consultant
 
1:30 – 2:45 PM
Panel Presentations: Leading the Way Forward
Moderator: Tracy Benson Kirker, Managing Partner, On the Same Page, LLC & Past President, Council of Communication Management (CCM)
Robert DeFillippo, Chief Communications Officer, Global Communications, Prudential Financial, Inc.
Kathleen Fitzgerald, Global Head of Communications, Chief Communications Officer, KPMG LLP
Raymond C. Jordan, Corporate Vice President Public Affairs & Corporate Communications, Johnson & Johnson
Raymond Pellecchia, Jr., Vice President, Corporate Communications, NYSE Euronext

2:45- 3:00 PM
Break

3:00 – 4:00 PM
Panel Discussion of Expert Presenters: Corporate Communication the Way Forward
Moderator: Michael B. Goodman, Ph.D., Director, CCI at Baruch College/CUNY

REGISTER BY
Phone: 973-270-0038
Fax: 973-270-0039 with this form
Email: cci@corporatecomm.org

RSA Fellows: $75, but you must register as an RSA Fellow
CCI Sponsors: No charge
CCI, CCM, R.S.A. & Page Society Members: $75
Non-Members: $95
Non-Profits: $85
Graduate Students: $45
Baruch Students: $25
Baruch Faculty & Staff: No charge

http://www.corporatecomm.org/calendar.html 

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March 11 – March 13

 Taught by Bliss Browne, President of Imagine Chicago, and her daughter Caroline Browne, MA in Clinical Psychology. 

The workshop   is an application-focused foundations workshop in Imagine Chicago’s frameworks and creative tools for facilitating community engagement and constructive change. It includes detailed theory, tools and practice in

+        Opening space for hope and acceptance within individuals, organizations and communities that motivates engagement and positive interactions
+        Understanding social construction and the consequences of orienting mindsets and beliefs (including language)
+        Enhancing effective communications by strengthening questioning, listening, speaking and visual language skills
+        Inspiring constructive change and a sense of possibility
+        Shifting (and helping others shift) from deficit-based to strength-based mindsets, behaviors and communication
+        Understanding the impact of strength-based vs. deficit-based assessment of individuals and communities
+        Building shared understanding and reliably constructive partnerships across differences of gender, age and culture
+        Aligning actions around personal or shared goals

You will learn to apply and teach Appreciative Inquiry, Asset Based Community Development, Open Space and visual language. Community focused stories and tools will be brought into  dialogue with effective therapeutic practices used with individuals and families in enabling positive identity formation and choices, especially in dealing with loss, personal challenges and negative mindsets. Significant time will be spent on topics of specific interest to participants –applying what you learn to designing in class something you want to accomplish.    

Registration online at http://frameworksimaginechicago.eventbrite.com
Registration limited to 15 people. 
Team and young adult discounts are available. 
RSA-US Team Price gives a $200 discount, register as FRSA

Questions? Contact  Bliss Browne
bliss@imaginechicago.org

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In his book “The Hidden Wealth of Nations” and recent talk at the RSA, David Halpern of the Institute for Government explained…

“Much of this hidden wealth [of nations] is expressed in everyday ways, such as our common values, the way we look after our children and elderly, or whether we trust and help strangers. It is a hidden dimension of inequality, and helps to explain why governments have found it so hard to reduce gaps in society. There are also deep cracks in this hidden wealth, in the form of our rising fears of crime, immigration and terror.”

In this month’s Thinking Tank we will consider how this affects us and generate practical ideas we can use to heal the cracks.

Join this Thinking Tank if you are ready to face the challenge of creative thinking and brainstorm ideas to change the way we think about sustainability. What will be the best idea we can come up with? 

Join us for this breakthrough approach to problem solving where we spend 40 minutes hammering out a serious issue—a Darwinian struggle of ideas, challenges and reasons not to bother. 

On Thursday 18th we will brainstorm ways to talk about sustainable development to people who aren’t interested. 

We need your opinion in this debate. What ideas do you have? This is your opportunity to be heard, to hear from others, and to become part of the solution—all from the comfort of your own laptop.  

16.00-16.40, Thursday Feb 18

click HERE to join us at http://thethinkingtank.co.uk/next.htm or email me to request a reminder text message on the day

Catherine Shovlin cmshovlin@gmail.com
Founder, The Thinking Tank 

Participants in our live online debates include RSA Fellows, campaigning organisations, relevant experts and friends — amazing people like you with wisdom and a wide range of experiences, views and ideas. The debates run on the easy to use Synthetron platform (see demo) – a way to brainstorm together and filter the best ideas and most strongly supported views. 

The Thinking Tank is an independent, not-for-profit way to bring people together so they can generate better ideas. It is a Fellow-led RSA  initiative.  

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