The Ripple Effect

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• The Niche of Chiji Processing Cards by Steve Simpson, Buzz Bocher and Dan Miller  
• Play for Peace in the Balkans by Gloree Rohnke and Michael Terrien 
• A Superintendent with a Vision by Mike Donovan 
• Putting Theory into Practice by Nancy Obermeire  

• Reflections from our Students by Dan Creely,Jr. 
• Someone You Should Know - Gus Pausz by Dan Creely,Jr. 
• Report from the Heartland of AEE by Sylvia Dresser 
• The Tracking Box: Project Nature Connect by Mark Zanoni 
• Promoting Teambuilding and Challenge Education Within Your Own District by Lloyd Williams  
• Bag of Tricks by Karl Rohnke 
• Book Reviews by Sylvia Dresser  

Teachers of Experiential and Adventure Methodology (T.E.A.M.) is an organization dedicated to promoting and supporting the process of experiential and adventure based learning. Through the sharing of ideas, skills, and curricula, T.E.A.M. provides individuals and organizations in all fields of human and community service with personal and professonal growth opportunities. 

The annual conference and bi-annual Ripple Effect newsletter serve as a networking center for everyone seeking to learn about, start or enhance experiential and adventure programs.

 It is hard to believe that summer is already over. We told you not to blink. We hope you have energized your batteries and are looking forward to the upcoming school year.

We have four great workshops planned for this Fall. The workshop flyer is enclosed.

The 1999 T.E.A.M. Conference will be held one week later than usual so be sure to save February 19 & 20, 1999, for the 10th Annual T.E.A.M. Conference at Northeastern Illinois University. We continue to be blessed with the quality of speakers who present workshops at our conference. This year we are excited that two experiential educators will be traveling all the way from Cape Town, South Africa.

Ten years ago, the idea for T.E.A.M. was conceived by two Chicago educators while sitting in a snow storm, in shorts, at SLEEC (St. Louis Experiential Educators Conference). The atmosphere at the conference was intoxicating because of the excitement of the participants. An energy for learning through experience was present at that gathering that was very rare. As a result, a question was asked - why can't this be done for the teachers in Chicago? With a ready, fire, aim philosophy, T.E.A.M. was "born" and has evolved into a networking and teachers' training organization that is recognized across the United States and internationally.

T.E.A.M. works because a dedicated group of individuals step forward each year and ask the simple question, "How Can I Help?" We are very proud that our newsletter "The Ripple Effect" is currently mailed to over 5,000 educators twice a year, at no cost, and our conference still has a money back guarantee. The proceeds from the conference pay for the cost of the newsletter.

Is the concept for experiential-based adventure/challenge programs finally catching on in mainstream education? Ten years ago, only three schools in the Chicago area had established programs. Today, well over one hundred schools from grades K-12 have programs. Over fifty of the programs have some type of permanent structure such as a climbing wall. The Chicago Park District is so impressed with the potential of the adventure/challenge process they have an established plan to have a program in every park within five years.

Share with us what you are doing at your school, agency, or organization. We know there are many excellent programs that stimulate students to become self-motivated learners and confident individuals. One of our functions at TEAM is to serve as a networking and resource center, so allow us to share in your success and enthusiasm.

Off Belay,
The Newsletter Committee

E-mail: Sylvia Dresser (SDres15556@aol.com) 
Mail: T.E.A.M. Physical Education Department Northeastern Illinois University 5500 North St. Louis Avenue Chicago, Illinois 60625
Phone: Dan Creeley,Jr. at (773)794-2982

First, get your own life in order. Ground yourself in the single principle so that your behavior is wholesome and effective. If you do that, you will earn respect and be a powerful influence.

Your behavior influences others through a ripple effect.  A ripple effect works because everyone influences everyone else. Powerful people are powerful influences.

If your life works, you influence your family. If your family works, your family influences the community.

If your community works, your community influences the nation. If your nation works, your nation influences the world. If the world works, the ripple effect spreads throughout the cosmos.

Remember that your influence begins with you and ripples outward. So be sure that your influence is both potent and wholesome.

How do I know that this works? All growth spreads outward from a fertile and potent nucleus.

You are a nucleus.