The Ripple Effect: The Voice of TEAM  Number 23  FALL 2003

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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 a progression  of ideas, skills, and curricula, TEAM provides individuals and organizations in the areas of education and community service with professional, cross-cultural, and personal growth opportunities.

Our mission is accomplished through an annual conference, The Ripple Effect Newsletter, and our web site (www.neiu.edu/~team).

"Change is the only constant." How true the words of Grandmother Keewaydinoquay, an Ojibway elder, are today.  There have been many changes within T.E.A.M. and many dramatic changes around the world in just the last few months.  Our T.E.A.M. family that publishes this newsletter and organizes the annual conference are constantly reminded of the potential and the positive power projected in the reading by John Heider from the Tao of Leadership.  Heider's words guide the philosophy behind this publication, as well as all of the work we do at T.E.A.M.  If you have not taken time recently to read "The Ripple Effect", take a moment and turn to the back cover.  The implications behind his thoughts are profound.  Our hope is our newsletter can serve as both a grounding and a catalyst for positive action in what ever you do.

Our 23rd issue. Wow!  We are very proud of both our publication and that we still offer it at no charge to whoever is interested.  In Fall 1991 we mailed issue #1 to about one hundred people.  We will mail issue #23 to over 5,000 people around the world.  Our Fall issues will still come out in hard copy, but all future Spring issues will only be posted on our new web site designed by Jim Ryan.  Jim is also archiving all the past issues of "The Ripple Effect" so you can read them by issue or topic area.  Check out our new web site as it has information on everything T.E.A.M. does throughout the year: www.neiu.edu/~team or e-mail us at team@neiu.edu

In 1991 our newsletter committee consisted of four people: Sylvia  Dresser, Gus Pausz, Terri Kimura, and myself.  This will be the first Fall issue since our friend and colleague Gus Pausz passed away last November.  Gus has been involved in every aspect of our work with T.E.A.M. for the last ten years. His friendship, laughter, service, respect for the earth and all living creators, and his love of General Tso chicken, will be missed. You can read a tribute to Gus on our web site--about the type of person he was and how he impacted everyone around him.  Sylvia Dresser is stepping down from the newsletter committee, but she will still be contributing articles. Sylvia is currently the Director of The Association for Challenge Course Technology (ACCT) which has 1,400 members.  ACCT is the organization that sets the building and safety standards in our industry for climbing walls and ropes courses. If you are not aware of ACCT, you need to learn about the organization. There is information in this newsletter.  Terri Kimura has been focused on family health issues and her new teaching position where teambuilding and adventure are included in the curriculum for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders. Terri still contributes and helps out when she can.

Now, on to Dr. James Gillihan Scholarships - The T.E.A.M. Committee decided to award two annual scholarships to the T.E.A.M. conference, in the name of Dr. Jim Gillihan, .  Jim Gillihan learned of these scholarships in his name before he passed away in June, 2002, and said, "I am honored and thrilled to be a permanent part of the T.E.A.M. Conference."  Our first recipients were Rob Schader and Le Moine LaPointe. You can read about the scholarships and about this remarkable human being on our web site. If you have anyone you would like to nominate, please send their contact information and explain why you are nominating them to T.E.A.M.

Please  read the insert in this newsletter that describes our workshops, conference dates, and upcoming events that T.E.A.M. supports or sponsors for the upcoming year. Reflection is one of the key components of the teambuilding and adventure/challenge process.  As the new school year begins, here is something to ponder:  What if the hokey pokey is really what it's all about?

Have a great year!
Dan Creely Jr., Newsletter Committee 
 

NOTE: By the way, the hokey pokey IS really what it's all about.
 

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.

"Not to have control of one's senses is like sailing in a rudderless ship, bound to break to pieces on coming in contact with the very first rock." --M. Gandhi

"The best way to cheer yourself up is to try and cheer someone else up."--Mark Twain

"When you come to the edge of all the light you have, and must take a step into the darkness of the unknown, believe that one of two things will happen to you: either there will be something solid for you to stand on, or, you will be taught how to fly."--Patrick Overton

"By the way, the Hokey Pokey IS really what it's all about!"--Dan Creely, Jr.