GoodNeighbors.net is a web-based database free for anyone to use to pool and publish alphabetized lists of resources and track frequency, levels and types of engagement at the grassroots. It was developed as an on-line Open Space architecture where individuals and groups function as a whole integrated system at all levels of community. Enter NCDD in the Group ID to be interconnected with NCDD members. Submitted by Cheryl Honey of the Family Support Network, International. Cheryl is a social architect who pioneered Community Weaving, a ... (continue)

Change is everywhere these days—at times it seems like barely controlled chaos. Yet within this turmoil are the seeds of a higher order. When a new system arises from the ashes of the old, science calls the process “emergence.” By engaging it, you can help yourself and your organization or community to successfully face disruption and emerge stronger than ever.  In the book Engaging Emergence (2010), Peggy Holman offers principles, practices, and real-world stories to help you work with compassion, creativity, and wisdom through the ... (continue)

This 2008 book by Peter Block (Berrett-Koehler Publishers) is an exploration of the exact way community can emerge from fragmentation: How is community built? How does the transformation occur? What fundamental shifts are involved? He explores a way of thinking about our places that creates an opening for authentic communities to exist and details what each of us can do to make that happen. Here’s an excerpt from a review of the book by Scott London: In his much-discussed new book, Community: The Structure of ... (continue)

Slim Lambert has created a blog on Reinventing Change Management. Lambert has implemented numerous change management programs in global international companies focused on changes such as collaborative corporate cultures, delivering the people side of re-organisations and using talent management practices to empower people to develop their talents. This blog is about sharing ways to build refreshing change management processes. That is, Resistance free, Empowering, Fair, Result focused, Event based, Solution focused, High speed, Involving, Non-disruptive of delivery, and Guided by the people. In other words, ... (continue)

The AI Commons is a worldwide portal devoted to the fullest sharing of academic resources and practical tools on Appreciative Inquiry and the rapidly growing discipline of positive change. This site is a resource for leaders of change, scholars, students, and business managers--and it is hosted by Case Western Reserve University's Weatherhead School of Management. appreciativeinquiry.case.edu (continue)

The Center for Wise Democracy assists communities in creating Wisdom Councils - randomly-selected, facilitated 'juries' reflecting the larger diversity of the community - which engage in dialogue about the larger system and arrive at creative consensus on shared visions.... The Center for Wise Democracy provides 20% discounts to their trainings for dues-paying NCDD members. (continue)

The first edition of The Change Handbook, published in 1999, was the most comprehensive guide available on methods of organization and community change. The first edition provided a snapshot of a nascent field that broke barriers by engaging 'whole systems' of people from organizations and communities in creating their own future. The completely revised and updated second edition overviews 61 change methods - up from 18 in the first edition. A great introduction to large-group methods for participatory planning and redesign. (continue)

The Pew Partnership for Civic Change is a civic research organization that provides consulting and program support to communities, governments, foundations, and nonprofit agencies. We help clients identify and implement solutions and strategies crucial to making communities stronger. (continue)

Juanita Brown and David Isaacs from Whole Systems Associates use the model of the cafe setting to create a warm, inviting environment in which people can converse. Participants gather informally at small tables and are encouraged to map out the ideas generated from conversation onto the paper table cloths covering the tables. (continue)

In this article, Pruitt and Kaufer offer their insights into the dynamic of civic dialogue and its role in the process of large-scale societal change gleaned from their experience with three dialogue project forums. Pruitt and Kaufer ask "Why do some processes alter people's thinking so thoroughly that their behavior changes and they become committed to acting differently?" (continue)