"In my experience people can and will change. THey need to be brought
into and engage with the process.
>From your message you used the words 'they have a union mentality' Might
this limit your precetion of the 'oldies'??
I know that it is very frustrating when change takes longer than planned,
desired and does not follow the smooth path we alwasy hope that it will
whilst knowing that this is never likely.
Hang in there. Get as many involved as possible. Get some big groups
together (30-40 people) and facilitate discussion around the need for
change."
-- end quote --
Joining in here with a change philosophy that might interest listeners on
this list. Panduranga Shasthri Athwale is the 1996 Templeton prize winner.
In his convocation address(1994) he narrated his philosophy.
"When I go to the villages, I enter into a dialogue with them. I don't go
there to change them. Who am I to change them? Initially only a few
come. Gradually the number increases. We just talk. Any topic".
These are not the exact words but the essence. Athwale contribution has
been to transform whole villages into productive, environmentally
conscious communities. People, mostly fishing communities were reduced to
unproductive beings due to vices and ethical standards. Athwale has
stayed with communities for several years. His work is recognised widely
now. I doubt this example is directly relevent. However, Saunders
suggestions appear to have similarities.
This simple process that Athwale used or uses is suggestive of a
motivational principle - mattering. The begining of change is when people
feel they matter, when people feel what they do matters and people feel
what they are matters.(David McClelland is said to have lectured in India
about this principle several years ago.)
Best wishes
Thomas P Benjamin
benjamin@fac.irm.ernet.in
--"Thomas Benjamin" <BENJAMIN@fac.irm.ernet.in>
Learning-org -- An Internet Dialog on Learning Organizations For info: <rkarash@karash.com> -or- <http://world.std.com/~lo/>