[This letter was the first sent to those who registered interest in our new Compass Schools network. If you are interested in learning more about the Compass Schools program, please click here to write to us.]
May 2009
Thank you for expressing interest in the new Compass Schools program. We have been pleasantly surprised by the number of teachers, administrators, and international education leaders who are quickly embracing this concept. To meet that interest, we are “fast-tracking” the development of the program. Some schools seem already prepared to become a Compass School now; so, we are going to work as quickly as possible so that we can launch the program at the start of the Fall 2009 school year.
We are writing now to extend an invitation to you, and to make an offer.
Compass Schools Concept Paper
First, we invite you to download, read, and send us your comments on the Compass Schools Concept Paper. This paper describes the background, philosophy, approach, and logistics for the program. It also includes a basic description of how to begin the process of becoming a Compass School – a school that integrates sustainability meaningfully and tangibly into nearly every aspect of school life.
Will you please send us your comments and ideas? When you do, we will send you something in return (see the next section).
Click here to write to us and signal your interest in reviewing this paper.
Here is the offer …
When we receive your feedback on the Compass Schools Concept Paper, we will be happy to send you a copy of a new workshop manual that we are testing, called “Pyramid Lite.” This is a shorter, simpler, self-facilitated version of the professional 2-day Pyramid training and planning workshop used by the AtKisson Group in its practice with companies and government agencies. The process guides people through a process of reflection on trends relevant to sustainability, the linkages among them, and the creative actions that can be taken to address global or local sustainability problems. Groups doing the process can also (optionally) build a physical Pyramid that reflects the process.
Schools and school officials (as well as other kinds of organizations) are already testing Pyramid Lite in China, South Africa, and the United States. When we hear back from you on Compass Schools, we will send you the “Beta” or test version of the Pyramid Lite manual, invite you to try it, and send us your feedback about the results (or you can just send comments on the manual).
Going forward …
In the coming months, we will be launching Compass Schools as a program that includes, for example, training workshops and membership packages. We are still working out exactly how the program will be structured – and in fact, that will be one of the things we ask your advice about.
But in any case, as thanks for participating in this network and sharing your ideas with us, we will be offering you (your school or institution) significant discounts on workshop fees, early notice for registration, and other offerings.
We already have our first Compass Schools Training Workshop planned! Join Lister Hannah and Robert Steele at the Prem Center in Thailand, on the weekend of9-10 October 2009. Just let us know you are interested, and we will hold a space for you. Details to follow soon!
Growing the network …
We want to grow the Compass Schools network into a global community of practitioners. As a first step, we will collect the input we receive on the Compass Schools Concept Paper and share it back with you, of course.
We know that you are serious about sustainability, or you would not have signed up in the first place. We, in turn, are serious about facilitating change and helping schools be leaders in change.
But we’re also serious about making it fun, engaging, and rewarding! To achieve that goal, your feedback will be essential. Thank you!
Sincerely,
Alan AtKisson and Lister Hannah
for the AtKisson Group
Click here to respond to us by email — or, leave a comment below.
P.S. If you know of others who would be interested in joining this network, please feel free to forward this email, or to send us their email address …
Come learn about the Sustainability Compass with us and other teachers on Saturday October 1st in Bangkok. The workshop is open to all, and will be facilitated by Robert Steele of Systainability Asia and Teresa Tung from New International School of Thailand (NIST).
