Category Archives: Meetings

PCC Board Meeting 1/12/10

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The board meeting, conducted via telephone conference, focused on the activities of participants in expanding the use of strengths-based approaches in the education of children and increasing the practice of Appreciative Inquiry.

Two members (Sue James and Robin Stratton-Berkessel) described in glowing terms their experience of the Appreciative Inquiry Conference that was held in Nepal in November of 2009.  High points related to location, cultural diversity of attendees and applications of AI in the community, healthcare and spiritual arenas.

For more about the conference in Nepal, please see:

The group then brainstormed recommendations to make the website more dynamic including brief interviews of board members, stories of interest highlighting education in emergent areas, and stories reflecting the power of children and links to interesting articles.

An overview of Voices of Learning in Canton, Ohio. in which 6 schools participated, was presented and overall was a success.

The meeting ended with plans to complete the Leap of Learning Manual and enroll interested teachers, school administrators in the training before publication as well as regional offices of education and education boards.

More detailed information about the meetng (PDF download)

2008 Annual Positive Change Core Meeting

Thank you to everyone who participated on March 1, 2008 in Deerfield, FL either in person at the Hampden Inn or virtually. This was an extraordinary meeting for PCC. We acknowledged that we are at a critical crossroad in our evolution. We have a rich history of working with school communities that want to change direction to using positive approaches with youth. The experience in our membership attests to the strong commitment and significant skills that we can continue to provide. Our chaordic design products are withstanding tests of use in multiple environments.

We decided that it is time to move forward in a direction that will support an involved international community of people who recognize the fundamental value of investment in the quality and experience our youth in educational and developmental arenas. Our Lead Learner product is on schedule and we expect a 2008 publication. Other publications are in progress and we established 2008 production goals.

We embraced the objectives of the International Education Conference and will support organizational activities.

Positive Change Core will move forward throughout 2008. We will embrace new opportunities, explore innovation, and emerge as an energetic and engaging beacon for positive approaches with youth in education and other organizations.

The Excitement is Growing!

The May 15, 2008 monthly meeting was very exciting. The preparation for Canton is moving forward. We identified virtual participation opportunities (contact Shelia McCann if you are interested). Read our minutes and get excited, too.

April 15 2008 – A Foundation

In this meeting, we made critical structural decisions and set a path for the future.

I. Updates on Current Activities

Structural Definition

  • PCC will pursue a single social business entity. The social business will be an LLC-B. The structure will be broad enough to include international personnel and activities. Currently, there is a core of active people, primarily in the US, but the span of interest and collaboration is global. For example, the business should accommodate products and services performed in Australia. The implications of an international business are under review.
  • From the international perspective, a quick web-glance indicates that social businesses may exist, but not prominently.
  • The nature of the business is a ‘relationship broker’. PCC will connect positive change activities to funding, services, and tools. It will promote and support collaborations. The business design enables measurement of impact and reach of positive approaches in schools and youth organizations.
  • Income from the business will support the activities of PCC in schools, communities, and youth organizations.

Incorporation

  • PCC is exploring incorporation as an LLC in Florida, Illinois, and Washington. The business will pursue a B designation, institutionalizing commitment to act in the best interests of current/past employees, the environment, stakeholders, and the locations in which we operate.
  • We know that the B designation is OK in Washington.
  • At the end of the fiscal year, the LLC will not have a profit, however a reasonable contingency account is appropriate.
  • A key factor in determining the state for incorporation is cost.

Board of Directors

  • We have a list of potential members of the board of directors. We will determine the number and composition based on a structure of roles and responsibilities (board, management, employees, and contractors).
  • PCC members on the call are candidates for the board.

Not-for-Profit

  • PCC will not pursue a new not-for-profit (NFP) incorporation. However, research into the description and status of the current Delaware incorporation will enable a decision to drop or maintain the Positive Change Corps name.
  • We determined that the primary reason for keeping a NFP is to apply for grants. However, our role is to connect schools and youth organizations with funders. We are not their competitors.
  • We will choose to amend the existing DE incorporated name to DBA Positive Change Core  if the cost is reasonable. If the cost is high, we will not maintain the DE incorporation.

II. Funding

  • PCC has about $100 in its account. We need to identify startup costs, such as incorporation, virtual meeting services, and website.
  • A recommendation to establish an a $200 fee was made. We will review this suggestion when startup cost research has been completed.

III. Deferred Topics:

  • 2009 Canton Gathering (Joyce)
    • Status
    • What are the support needs from PCC?
  • What else should we be focusing on to redefine PCC?
  • There is a lot more to do.
  • International Education Conference and Current status of Core Team

IV. Next Steps for Next Meeting: May 20, 2008 at 6:00pm EDT

  • Incorporation (Gina and Shelia). Research and make final recommendations for incorporation. Recommendation should include: state, type of tax structure (LLC-B), and determination of existing DE corporation.
  • Board of Directors (Shelia and Gina). Shelia will develop draft roles and responsibilities. Gina will consolidate lists of potential candidates for further review.
  • Startup Costs (All). Shelia will present three options for virtual meeting services. Key factors include services, participant load, and cost. Gina and Shelia will identify cost of incorporation as part of their recommendation. Shelia will identify costs associated with the PCC website. Everyone is invited to recommend items that will be necessary to begin our business. Please email Shelia and Gina (symcats@msn.com and Hinrichs@geneseo.net)

Charting The Future

March 19, 2008 Meeting Notes

This meeting represents the fundamental and foundational discussions towards a restructure.

I.  Identify next steps: PCC Structure

What is the appropriate tax structure to support a social business?

  • Two organizations (Not-for-Profit and For-Profit) with separate tax structures included under an umbrella. This will enable the Not-for-Profit to pursue grants (local emphasis per project and national for more universal activities) and gifts. Each entity is dynamic: multiple satellites using a common official address and contact. Question: How do we structure the umbrella entity?
  • Not-for-Profit will focus on projects such as summits
  • For-Profit will develop products (publications, manuals, workbooks, etc.) with authors,  and deliver meeting and training support services
  • Gina will investigate business structure as LLC. What are the costs?
  • Shelia shared information about corporations, LLC-B, that are designed to meet rigorous standards for human services, the environment, and financial support for local communities.

To create a social business, what is the problem that we are trying to solve?

  • Individuals and organizations are looking for options for positive approaches with youth (Seekers)
  • Individuals and organizations engaged in efforts to use positive approaches want information about successful experiences to assess potential use in their organizations (Engagers)
  • Seekers and Engagers desire training and support services to increase knowledge and guide their activities
  • Communication across whole systems and communities of Seekers and Engagers is essential. This communication can be virtual or terrestrial (in a room). Organizers and coordinators of change activity often lack the skill, resources, and time to manage the myriad types and forms of communication available to them.
  • Cost of forming business and acquiring tools will be built into the financial plan. Investors will be repaid from profit. Costs include: Virtual meeting support tools: Microsoft LiveMeeting (preferred) @ $600 /year; website development and maintenance; publication channel ($7 each @ 200 copies)

What are the products/services that will solve the problem?

  • Products: publishing – books, manuals
  • Services: training, virtual/terrestrial meeting support

Board reconstitution: Who do we need? What resources are necessary?

  • Shelia will gather names of current board members

II.  What is our business plan?

  • Timeline
  • Finances
  • Marketing

III. What is the status of our current product list?

Lead Learner Manual

  • Gina and Nancy are currently working on Section 3.
  • Prepare hardcopy book and a download
  • Working on $15 strategy

Lead Learner Training

  • Gina and Nancy will conduct a pre-conference training session in June 2009 at the Canton gathering

Marge/Joyce book

  • Joyce ahs reviewed completed work and is pleased with product.
  • Book is 2/3 completed

IV.  What else should we be focusing on to redefine PCC?

  • There is lots more to do.

V.  International Education Conference

  • Current status of Core Team – Deferred

International Education Conference Planning Meeting, February 2008

The International Education Conference Planning Meeting was a virtual and terrestrial success. Attendees used innovative technology to identify characteristics for key portfolios (teams). We determined that organizing for a successful multi-dimensional international experience in 2009 is too ambitious. The emphasis is on “success”. We will host a trial gathering in June 2009 in Canton, Ohio.

Congratulations to all who participated in this momentus meeting.