Sunday, February 09, 2003

Not everyone likes the chaordic principles While I am not going to change my previous posting about La Leche League because of the following message, this clarification from someone associated with them about the internal debate within the group with regards chaordic thinking (and further proof that any tendency to create a dogma around organizational ideas, like chaordic principles, is an invitation to disaster): Dear Sir, You report on your page that La Leche League is now governed under the CC model. This is un-true and I ask that you remove LLL name from the statement in reference to who currently uses the CC model. LLLI is currently exploring whether we will become a Purpose and Principles driven organization under the CC model. There are many in LLLI who are deeply troubled at the influence the CC lingo and model has had on the outcome of some of this work. Your statement will only go toward fanning the flames of this distrust and "civil war" like atmosphere and sense that some outsiders are trying to change our "current" published purpose, mission and soul which are already in place. Thank you for your time. Jenny Baughman As I've noted before, conflict is part of the evolution of any community. I don't mean to or intend to stir any flames of distrust as much as share my own observations about my experience at the Chaordic Commons board meeting.The La Leche League does have a section of its Web site dedicated to chaordic principles. You can read and decide about all of this for yourself. 5:09:03 PM

The chaordics of dancing So, after taking a break from the meeting yesterday (in rather dramatic fashion, but that's another story), I'm back in the Chaordic Commons meeting. There is a problem of infinite opportunity when you talk about new models for organization, as with any group of bright people. I am having that problem myself, though I am not necessarily so bright as just embarrassed by many opportunities. For the past six months, I've been launching a new phase of my career. Having stopped writing for a couple years to focus on investment banking work, which was a surreal education at best, I decided to begin building a media life all over again. This meant putting a lot of activity into motion, all of which is coming to a head now. This week, I have to decide what not to do. Life self-organizes, but organizing oneself is never easy. You look out at the many things and many good people you can work with and have to say "no" to something. Except for telling one's children "no" about doing dangerous or stupid things, there is no harder word to use in the English language, though "yes" is a close rival. 11:21:49 AM

© Copyright 2003 Mitch Ratcliffe.