Public Achievement

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Comment by Albert Kastrati on November 3, 2009 at 8:40pm

Hi again from me,
This post is for Mr.Donovan so sir read this please.
I had the pleasure to speak with the prime minister of my country and I told him about the experiance in Macedonia 2006.We are really interested to bring the same project in our contry,so please let me know how could we talk about this ,is it possible to bring your group here to help our students like u helped me or it is not.
My e-mail is akastro@live.com so if there is any possibillity talkin in telephone ore something please let me know by sending me a message in my e-mail.
Respect for all of you.It was a pleassure working with you. Thank you

Comment by Shelly Robertson on September 6, 2009 at 8:28am

Kira,

When we work from the IPP model, we look at Problems as Probletunities. With every problem there is an opportunity. However in reflecting on your question regarding the use of Appreciative Inquiry it resonates with Power and Interest. Identifing assets and building an appreciation for what we already have foundationally in place to do public work is a needed piece in the process. This year we are holding a Regional Issue Convention and two ideas were planted from your question and the Dalton Sherman, "Do you believe in me?" you tube video. First before moving into Issue Panel where youth and adults from the region will share stories, good such as the Summer Survival Program in Worth County and Accessible Healthcare for the Homeless through a mobil unit PA team RAH, to foster care and workforce issues, to sessions to identify through brainstorming and coming up with a Issues statement in a research session, we will use Appreciative Inquiry as an Ice Breaker, so to speak, session, focusing on the exploration and discovery of " what is right with the world" Dewitt Jones, National Geographic Photographer, recognizing the best in people and the region or world around us. Also recognizing and appreciating what they as individuals bring to public work and places. We will wrap up the end of the day with this focus as well. One thought, eyes, ears, voice, hands, feet are all points we can use to build appreciation for what we bring. Your statement of asking youth and adults to remember hopes for their school and community and what they want to perserve, are helpful for us to consider as framing questioins for the day. Thanks for your post I appreciated the value it added and the challenge it posed to me and the process of Issues, Problems, Projects.
We often use appreciative inquiry when power mapping. Identifing stakeholders interest in an Issue. I just had a session with college students who were not happy with a Professor. They felt they were unprepared as Seniors at this time to become social workers. The issue we mapped was "unprepared SW professionals" When power mapping they could identifiy the common interest and appreciate that, student affairs, the dean of the college, the department head, and even this Professor would want them to be successful as they enter their field of Social Work.

Comment by Kira Pasquesi on September 4, 2009 at 2:51pm

Moving from Issue...to problem...to project. Public Achievement, and many other forms of community organizing, operates out of a deficit model. This year I am trying to incorporate aspects of appreciative inquiry into our program based out of Colorado College. We are asking students to remember their hopes for their school and community and what they want to preserve as they explore problems. I would like to utilize stories as the main tool for this inquiry. Has anyone had any luck infusing appreciative inquiry into their PA curriculum or coach lessons? I would appreciate any advice or feedback on the use of appreciate inquiry vs. a deficit model and how they can interact. Best of luck this academic year and thank you for your compassion and dedication!

Comment by Bibi Hudaykuliyeva on June 15, 2009 at 12:21pm

I enjoyed a lot to read all your experience in Public Achievement. During my professional affiliation in Center for Democracy and Citizenship at the University of Minnesota, I have also a great opportunity to participate in online interviews organized among experts and youth involved in the world wide Public Achievement network. I was impressed with all successful stories that interviewers shared with us. It would be great to gather all this stories in one Public Achievement successful stories’ web page that will provide written information as well as video materials about realized PA creative work. Definitely, something different happen in the mind of people when they are reading successful experience that makes them believe: “I can do it too.”

Totally agree with the words that “… Public Achievement makes real in the world "yes we can.."

Comment by Harry Boyte on June 9, 2009 at 7:24pm

This is a powerful and important discussion of the larger meaning of Public Achievement. I've been thinking of this a lot -- especially as I read the insights and stories across our network.

In an important way, it seems to me that Public Achievement makes real in the world "yes we can," the central theme of the Obama campaign that inspired a nation. We're continuing to interact in a number of ways with the administration, but if this confidence in our collective capacities is to become real -- across the world -- everyday citizens will be the ones who make it real.

Maybe we should think about how PA groups can be the seeds of local "yes we can" (or "civic agency") chapter and groups, that reflect a philosophy that the people will have to gain the skills and confidence to take action on the challenges we face -- and institutions and professionals will need to reconceive themselves as the partners, facilitators, and students of the general citizenry.

Comment by Kim Carter on June 9, 2009 at 6:25pm

Ellen et al,
What a worthy goal - PA concepts part of every school day, integral to the culture of teaching and learning, part of how teachers work within their professional community - and with families and community members! Imagine!!

Comment by Ellen Tveit on June 9, 2009 at 3:31pm

Sarah and Frank,
Thanks for sharing what's going on in Denver. Charla's plan to use what she has learned coaching Public Achievement to make change in the public education system underscores the fact that PA is more than a program, more than a youth civic engagement tool. Can you imagine what the world would be like if teachers such as Charla were able to make PA concepts - and practice developing civic and organizing skills - part of every school day, and part of how they worked within their professional community?
Ellen

Comment by Dennis Donovan on June 9, 2009 at 11:51am

Thank you Michael Kuhne and students for sharing your reflections with us. It is clear that Public Achievement has had a powerful impact on you. At a time when people feel helpless, we see once again how PA can build civic agency in people.

Thank you Sarah and Frank for your update. I remember Carla when she came to Minneapolis as a Freshman. She "got it".

Keep up the good work.

Comment by Sarah Rauenhorst on June 8, 2009 at 2:35pm

Hello all,

Just to keep you updated...out here at DU we wrapped up our 6th successful year of PA. With over 20 teams and 6 schools, projects ranged from improving school lunches to teaching peers their rights when being approached by police.

At one of our most unique sites, South High School, we have been working with the Future Center—a center focused on college access. After volunteering there for 2 years, this year coaches took what they learned in PA to start working with students and improve the college access programs at South. Many of these students are refugees and never even thought of college before they set foot in the Future Center. The PA team has helped to turn that notion upside down by developing a peer mentoring program where juniors and seniors are working with underclassmen to create a pipeline to college. The PA team worked together to build a strong program that will be part of the Future Center for years to come.

Also, we are graduating one of our most dedicated and impressive PA coaches, Charla Agnoletti. Charla walked into CCESL four years ago, said “I want to be a coach in PA” and never looked back. She has been an incredible coach at several PA sites and started a new site this year. She also has been an instrumental leader in our community organizing efforts with DU students. When we think of PA at DU—it is hard to do so without thinking of Charla. This link has more about what Charla has done as a leader working for change and motivating others to get involved http://www.du.edu/today/stories/2009/06/2009-06-03agnoletti.html

We have really enjoyed feeling more connected with PA and I am especially looking forward to hear from Grace when you return from Palestine. Sounds like a fantastic opportunity!
-Sarah and Frank

Comment by Kira Pasquesi on May 21, 2009 at 3:02pm

Check out the documentary "Finding Your Voice at Wasson"

This was a project for a Public Achievement issue group at Wasson High School in Colorado Springs, CO. The coaches are from Colorado College.

The students utilized the filming as an opportunity to share their reflections on PA and demonstrate their understanding of discrimination. The documentary was played on their school-wide television channel and the participating students facilitated discussions in their classes after it aired.

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