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Home About Us B2B Club Breaking News Contact Donate Events / Programs Feedback Ideas Incubator Industry Clusters Links / Resources Progess Funds Progress Teams Public Art / Murals Publications		Breaking News October 22, 2007 - Participants learn to trust at seminar By: Shelley Weiler, for the Daily Tribune For institutions and communities to achieve their highest purpose -- they must recognize the importance of trustworthy leadership & partnerships. This was the message at "The Courage to Lead: A Day of Dialogue with Tom Beech & Parker J. Palmer" Tuesday at the beautiful YMCA Camp Alexander. What an opportunity it was to have Beech, president of the Fetzer Institute, and Palmer, author and activist visit our community. The day-long seminar included a deep conversation about the importance of relational trust in schools and organizations. Palmer talked about how strong relational trust in schools can serve as a prime resource for school improvement. This also rings true in all parts of our life -- the more we trust each other the more progress we can make. Throughout the day, we read inspirational poetry, meditated and journaled about how trust and distrust has affected our lives. In both large- and small-group settings, we shared our stories and really had a chance to open up to each other and bond together as friends in our community. I would invite you to visit Palmer's Center for the Courage & Renewal Web site at: www.couragerenewal.org. Palmer has done excellent writings about the courage to teach and lead. His philosophy reminds us to get back to the basic principals of trust by talking with people around us. Listen to the stories that people around you want to share. The more we know about each other the less likely we will distrust one another. Palmer said, "It's just that simple." Shelley Weiler is a communication specialist for Heart of Wisconsin Business & Economic Alliance.
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