July 2116, 2003

Mrs. Paul DiFonzo July 21, 2003

Superintendent of Schools

Fredonia Central School

425 East Main Road

Fredonia, NY 14063Jane School

[one or two more lines will be needed for the mailing address information]

When reason and passion come together in conversation they produce the wisdom and wonder that lead to the transformation of education.

Dear Mr. DiFonzoDear Colleague:

There will be an exciting conversation November 6-7, 2003 on the theme, Leap of Faith: Re-Discovering the Wonder-Full World of Education. Join the Positive Change Corps and Business as Agent of World Benefit in Cleveland, Ohio for a conversation focused on schools and youth organizations. This participative conversation is designed to explore successful practices, opportunities, what’s working, and what’s possible when using strength-based whole system change methods with schools and youth organizations. The Positive Change Corps (PCC) together with the Business aAs aAn Agent of World Benefit (BAWB) Institute at Case Western Reserve University (CWRU) will host an important conversation on November 6-8, 2003. More specifically, the gathering will address the theme: Leap of Faith: Discovering the Wonder-full World of Education. This is a participative conversation designed to explore successful practices, opportunities, what’s working, and what’s possible when using strength-based whole system change methods with schools and youth organizations.

This Be part of will be an intimate gathering of educators, colleagues, colleagues, friends, students, and others who care about education and learning situations. We want toIt willinspire stir a dialogue that generates new ideas, aspirations, aspirations, connections, opportunities, and inspired actions.

Our The two-day event conversation will use an the Appreciative Inquiry approach and the 4-D Cycle: of discovery, dream, design, and destiny . looking to The conversation will identify new and exciting exhilarating possibilities that contribute to positive transformation where schools and youth emerge as agents for community and world benefit. . To learn more about Appreciative Inquiry and how it is being used in schools, visit the Appreciative InquiryI Commons website at: ..

You have been identified as an individual who has much to offer and who might be interested in participating. Those who have been invited have been selected because they have both much to give and because they have many potential applications for the ideas and experiences contributed by others. We hope you will join us. You canTo confirm your interest and attendance,by contacting Bonnie Copes by phone at (216) -368-2215,,by October 1, 2203 or faxing the attached registration form to Bonnie at (216) 368-6228, before October 10, 2003. . There is a modest registration fee of $100 per person to cover materials and meals. Student participant registration is $10 per student or $25 per student group. Please make checks payable to Case Western Reserve University - BAWB.

We believe that when reason and passion come together in conversation, they produce the wisdom and wonder that lead to the transformation of education. We invite you to share your passion and reason with others. Attendance is limited but we hope you can join usJoin us in Cleveland!

Sincerely yours,

David L. CooperriderCharley PrattMarge Schiller Marge Schiller

David L. Cooperrider, Ph.D. Charlyese Pratt, Ph.D. Marjorie Schiller, Ph.D.

[organization]Professor and Chair BAWB [organization]Executive Director (ALESC) [organization]The Director, The Positive

Change Corps

Change Corps

REGISTRATION FORM

A LEAP OF FAITH: THE WONDER-FULL WORLD OF EDUCATION

November 6-7, 2003

8:00 a.m. Continental breakfast and Registration on Nov. 6th.

The conversation runs from 9:00 to 5:00 both days.

PeterB.LewisBuilding,

WeatherheadSchool of Management

, CaseWestern Reserve University

11119 Bellflower Drive

Cleveland, Ohio 44106

A first ever Appreciative Inquiry into Schools and Youth as Agents of Community and World Benefit.

Join us in conversation that links whole systems transformation, Appreciative Inquiry, Social Constructionism, and other strength-based methods.

Name (First) ______(Last) ______

Title ______

Organization ______

Address ______

City, State, Zip Code ______

Country and Country Code ______

Phone Number ______

Email ______

What Please check which organizational sectorgroupsdo you belong to: (please check all that apply)

○ __ Teacher __○ Home School Person Foundation

__○ Principal __ ○ Community

__ ○ Superintendent __ ○ Experiential Educator

__ ○ StudentConsultant __ ○ Foundation Home School Person

__ ○ Youth Worker __ ○ Positive Change Corps Member

__ ○ Youth Leader __ ○ Taos Institute

__ ○ StudentConsultant __○ Case Western Reserve University (name) ______

__ ○ Parent __ ○ School Administration and Staff

__ ○ Business Leader __ ○ Curriculum Specialist

__ Government

__ ○ Corporate Sponsor __ ○ Other ______

__ ○ Funder

Referred By:

Your Name: ______

Your Email: ______

Registration fee is $100 per person. Student participant registration is $10 per student or $25 per student group. Please make checks payable to Case Western Reserve University – BAWB..

Please fax this form back to Bonnie Copes at (216) 368-6228 by October 1, 2003 (no cover sheet necessary). The above information can also be sent to Bonnie by phone (216) 368-2215 or email . Thank You!

A LEAP OF FAITH: THE WONDER-FULL WORLD OF EDUCATION

November 6-7, 2003

Transportation and Lodging

By Air

Arrive at Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. The fastest, most economical means of reaching the University from Hopkins is the RTA (Regional Transit Authority) Rapid Transit train eastbound to the University Circle station, which is just south of the campus. A free University Circle shuttle bus connects the station with all areas of the campus.

By Cab

Tell the driver to bring you to the Case Western Reserve University, Peter B. Lewis Building, 11119 Bellflower Drive.

By Car

From Interstate 90, exit at Martin Luther King Jr. Boulevard. Proceed south to Euclid Avenue. Turn left and keep going until you reach the corner of Mayfield and Euclid. Turn left at the light and continue straight to the next light PBLB is on the left corner and Glidden House is three buildings further down on the right hand side.

Lodging

Overnight accommodations are available (for Authors and some participants) at the Glidden House Inn, 1901 Ford Drive, Cleveland, OH 44106, ph: 216/231-8900 (a bed and breakfast located on campus). If you are making your own arrangements please call Sys Previtz and tell her you will be attending the BAWB – Leap of Faith Conference at CWRU/PBLB.

If you would like to stay at the Hilton Garden Inn (where most participants are staying) located at 1022 Carnegie Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44115, please contact Pamela Cottam at 216/373-3805. And be sure to mention to Pam that you are attending the BAWB- Leap of Faith Conference at CWRU/PBLB. Hilton Garden Inn is a new hotel in the downtown area across the street from the Jacobs Field.