ALIA Institute

Susan Szpakowski
  • Halifax, Nova Scotia
  • Canada
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David, I hope you'll share some of what came out of the conference. Highlights? What surprised you?
on Tuesday
People who want to sustain communities of practice where they live. How do we stay rooted and connected year-round?
on Tuesday
Congratulations Alan! I know you worked hard on this and I'm sure it will be a great resource for new and seasoned practitioners alike.
July 23
This is an image Barbara Bash created for the Little Book of Practice, though we ended up not using it. It is based on Tom Hurley's definition of practice as what we do to stay connected with our source of inspiration, or a way of being. Our practic…
June 27
People who want to sustain communities of practice where they live. How do we keep the fire going year-round?
June 27
For photos and reflections, see also blogs by Aftab Erfan, Heather Plett, Brad Johnston, Katharine Weinmann, Qualla Jo Parman, and Susan Szpakowski. (Is there an elegant way to link them here I wonder?)
June 23
Susan! Thank you for inviting . Now I am in Japan. And we start to ready a events that introduce ALiA for Japanese .
June 23
People who want to sustain communities of practice where they live. How do we keep the fire going year-round?
June 23
Sorry if that wasn't clear. I meant that these metaphors are already appearing in your group and might therefore be candidates for an image. There's also branching. But I should be quiet. I don't even live in Ontario!
June 22
Ecosystems and knitting are metaphors currently in use :-) Here in Nova Scotia we've imported the "ecosystem for social innovation" image from SiG, and Ontario is certainly a strong SiG hub. Oh yeah, don't forget Waterloo in your scan. I think a poc…
June 22
An ALIA eco-system for people around Toronto and in Ontario - keep in touch, share information, get together, and co-create.
June 22
A group by Susan Szpakowski was featured
People who want to sustain communities of practice where they live. How do we keep the fire going year-round?
June 21
People who want to sustain communities of practice where they live. How do we keep the fire going year-round?
June 21
Susan - it is a great inquiry. What structures support a new community coming together and holding? I'm going to explore that question of new community here in Toronto and Ontario; and I started the ALIA - Toronto/Ontario group as a first container.…
June 20
People who want to create life-supporting communities of practice where they live. How do we keep the fire going year-round?
June 20
Susan Szpakowski added a discussion to the group Lifers
It's an intense week, an amazing time, and I am soaking everything in through all my pores. Then everyone goes home. Some of us stay in touch for awhile, then gradually we get back into our work routine and the spirit of that week becomes more dista…
June 19

Profile Information

Organization
ALIA Institute
Role
Executive Director
Please share something about yourself, your work, and what draws you to the ALIA community.
I have a lifelong curiosity about what brings learning environments to life. I've approached this question from a number of angles--as classroom teacher of children and adults, as student of Buddhist meditation and the Shambhala vision of enlightened society, as editor for the Naropa Institute (now University), as curriculum designer for the Nova Scotia departments of Health and Education, and as one of the founding members of the ALIA Institute.

I am currently director of the ALIA Institute--a role which is constantly evolving. I am grateful to be part of such an inspired, engaged, and diverse community of fellow travelers.

Susan Szpakowski's Blog

Susan Szpakowski

I am a lifer

I was skimming through the Summer Program evaluations the other day, and on the last page where it asks, would you come back, etc. someone said simply “I am a lifer.” That stuck somewhere.



Another sticky moment: Brad Johnston is trying to figure out how to invite all the Ontarians into his new group. He wants to see if there’s interest in getting together on a regular basis. I wasn’t able to solve his technical problem, but I told him that, coincidentally, there’s a planning retreat c… Continue

Posted on June 19, 2010 at 8:30pm —

Susan Szpakowski

Social Presencing Theatre: more Summer Program photos

This is an invitation to others to share your commentary and reflections on Thursday's creative process sessions, the social presencing theatre, Meg Wheatley's talk on Perseverance, and Thomas Arthur's Awakening Space performance. Wow, what a day that was! Oh yes, and then there was the dancing.... Thanks again to Keith Cossey for these photos which capture the spirit of an amazing afternoon.



Continue

Posted on June 13, 2010 at 8:18am — 3 Comments

Susan Szpakowski

Day 3 photos

Thank you for the photos, Keith!








Continue

Posted on June 11, 2010 at 9:44am —

Susan Szpakowski

Day 3: Innovation, the adaptive cycle, power & love

Day 2 was a deep dive into the modules, with sessions morning and afternoon, followed by Michael Jones's piano reflection in the evening. Wednesday morning we came back together as a community, and Cheryl Rose (SiG@Waterloo) spoke about the experience of the adaptive cycle of social innovation. She talked about the phase of "massive release" and letting go (creative dest… Continue

Posted on June 10, 2010 at 11:09am — 3 Comments

Susan Szpakowski

More day 1 photos

Thanks to Keith Cossey for these (except the last two, which i took the day before).








Continue

Posted on June 10, 2010 at 1:49am — 1 Comment

Comment Wall (60 comments)

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At 9:17pm on July 28, 2010, Janis Apted said…
Thanks Susan! I had a conversation at lunch today with a consultant colleague who just attended the Shambala Summer Institute. It sounded so rich and fascinating I had to get online and join Alia. Looking forward to being part of the community!
At 12:22pm on July 28, 2010, Sandra Ljubinkovic said…
Dear Susan,

it seems that ways find me when i'm looking :)
In the last 6 months i work intensively with and on developing program for sustainability and well-being of human rights defenders from around the world. Bearing witness on their leadership, pain, activist strategies, guilt and self esteem, issues between generations, spirituality, burn out, illness, blame and death, fear... issues like sexuality and pleasure....gave me the perspective of my own process as a leader and activist and a new paradigm that transforms, heal, include with deep commitment to transform individuals and society.

I'm so inspired by the ALIA community and would be happy to participate in various ways.

Warmly,
Sandra
At 9:01pm on June 21, 2010, Shannon Rose Watson said…
Thanks Susan. I like that photo of Kat and I, too.
Yes, it was wonderful to be a part of Alia this year and in particular the Women and Leadership module. I found it so worthwhile. I was sorry that you weren't able to keep attending the sessions. All the best, Shannon.
At 9:05pm on June 19, 2010, Mark Szpakowski said…
How did my hair get so dark? It's very old hair.
At 2:54pm on May 30, 2010, Brad Johnston said…
Hi Susan,

I am aware of SIG, and thanks for the information about SIX. I think we need SIRIG - Social Innovation Right In Government. Small Innovation Labs that will start to self seed changes in culture and approach. Only a week to go. I'm looking forward to meeting you and the rest of the ALIA family.
At 11:23pm on May 18, 2010, Suzanne Giroux said…
Thanks for the article! I think am doing a pionnier work in Québec in the field of creativity for leaders and managers. I heard about Shamballah by Ruben Perczek. I would be please to know more and to tell you more about my work, researches and background. In some way I can may be be a contribution for your institute. May be we can talk? I can send you a resume.
At 8:04pm on May 15, 2010, Sara Bechor said…
thank you
best regards
sara
At 3:20pm on May 10, 2010, Fabiana Toyama said…
Thanks Susan! I'm really happy to be part of this community.
Cheers!
At 3:37pm on April 11, 2010, Edeglign Fenta Ayanlum said…
Hi nice to meet you Susan , Edeglign ,Ethiopia
At 7:20am on March 5, 2010, Augusto Cuginotti said…
Hello Susan,
I've also received a recent email about the OD World Summit event in Budapest. I've heard from Juanita that she will be there.
Love, A>
 
 
 

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