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The
Big Questions & the FAQs
“Who
are you?! What do you stand for?! What
are you committed to?! What is your mission?!”
Mr.
John Rawley grilled me with these questions
more than 15 years ago. Mr. Rawley is
a leader in my hometown, Hershey, Pennsylvania,
and had the practice of taking a sincere
interest in the lives of those around
him. At a young age I developed the habit
of going to Mr. Rawley for counsel. I
knew he loved me, but the intensity of
his interrogations alarmed me. I now see
that he wanted to impress upon me something
very important: My ability to answer these
questions would determine my future. This
was a matter of utmost seriousness. I
recall trying to gather my thoughts as
I replied, “I guess I need to do
some reflecting.”
“Yes, you do. You surely do,”
he replied. To these firm but now more
gentle words Mr. Rawley added, “And
your answers must be in writing.”
Much
like Mr. Rawley did 15 years ago, many
of my friends and supporters have asked
me tough questions over the years as well.
I always appreciate this dialogue because
it helps me to evaluate myself and my
work. Recently, in response to the announcement
of my new project, The Experiment in Alternative
Leadership, several questions have challenged
me to continue this dialogue. Below are
answers to some of the questions I have
been asked most frequently:
Frequently
Asked Questions (FAQ)
"What
exactly is your work?"
The majority of my time is spent preparing
for Open Space Technology meetings, facilitating
them, doing follow-up work after the meetings,
and training others to facilitate. During
the meetings we plan projects, budgets,
and evaluations. The enclosed brochure
provides information about Open Space
Technology. Most of our meetings last
1 or 2 days and have 25 to 60 participants.
The largest meeting had 187 participants.
Here is a sampling of organizations with
whom I work and the themes of their recent
Open Space Technology meetings:
Rotary
Clubs of Haiti: What is my role and Rotary's
role in promoting literacy?
Circle
of Reflection Project: Improving our practice
with the Circle of Reflection methodology.
International
Labor Organization in collaboration with
Haitian Government’s Ministry of
Social Affairs: What must we do to end
the system of child servitude in Haiti?
Louverture
Cleary School: The Spirit of Community
at The Louverture Cleary School - a day
of reflection.
Echo
the Voice of Jean Dominique Foundation:
What are we to do about injustice and
impunity?
Discovering
Resources Initiative: Creating a training
program for project development and management.
Strengthening
Women’s Organization: Leadership
for fostering empowerment and social change.
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"Why
did you decide to leave Beyond Borders
and its sister organization, Fondasyon
Limyè Lavi?"
“Deciding and acting with the long-term
in mind.” This phrase has become
nearly a mantra for me as I go about my
work. To illustrate why, I would like
to tell you about some topics currently
buzzing around certain circles in Haiti.
They concern crises happening in two different
organizations in which both cases their
founders, American missionaries, never
developed local leadership. Now, 50 years
later, after the founder of one has passed
away, and the founder of the other prepares
to retire in the U.S., people fear that
some hospitals, clinics, and hundreds
of schools might close. Tens of thousands
of lives are going to be negatively effected.
With this in mind, I have two goals regarding
the long-term: 1) I want organizations
and programs that I have helped to found
continue to evolve in healthy ways long
after I am gone. 2) I would also like
to support other leaders as they nurture
a culture within their respective organizations
in which multi-level leadership is continuously
developed. I believe that stepping away
from Beyond Borders and Limyè Lavi
while continuing to collaborate with them
in clearly defined ways, is the best possible
way for me to help each organization advance
its respective mission with the long-term
in mind.
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"Are
you no longer promoting literacy and education?"
Half of my time is spent promoting literacy
and discussion based education through
The Circle of Reflection project and Rotary
literacy initiative. These two projects
are benefiting thousands of people. I
assist in planning, evaluation and coordination.
Also, my work with the Discovering Resources
Initiative allows community and non-profit
organization leaders, many of whom are
involved in literacy and education, gain
skills that make their programs more effective.
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"How
do you feel you are making a difference
in Haiti?"
Although the focus of my work in literacy,
education and leadership development may
not fix deep-rooted societal problems
quickly, I believe it is essential if
permanent change is to occur. Furthermore,
I regularly hear powerful testimonies
from overjoyed adults who have benefited
from the literacy and education programs.
And most encouraging of all has been observing
children who live in servitude discovering
their voices during group discussions.
It is hard to imagine the time and patience
that this took on the part of their teachers
and the profound development that it represents.
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"Do
you plan to stay in Haiti long-term?"
I have no plans to leave Haiti. My work
is compelling, and I have become very
close friends with many of the people
– Haitians and expatriates –
with whom I work.
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"Do
you feel safe?"
I do not live in fear. True, there is
as much crime in Haiti as there is around
the world, particularly in cities where
extreme poverty co-exists with extreme
wealth. My strategy for dealing with this
phenomenon is simple: limit my possessions.
I enjoy owning just a few things, nothing
of significant value. In the past, people
who promoted literacy and grassroots organizing
in Haiti were in potential danger. Such
activities threatened non-democratic regimes.
Today, the Haitian government promotes
literacy and alternative education.
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“How
is it going financially?”
Combined contributions during this first
quarter – July through September
2001 – totaled $8,195. This was only
$55 short of my goal of $8,250. Current
pledges total $1,300 per month, slightly
less than half of my budget needs of $2,750.
The balance has been in one-time gifts.
Please let me know if you would like to
receive the details of my budget.
My
goal is to increase my fundraising from
monthly pledges. This will provide me
with greater long-term stability and will
allow me to plan appropriately. Please
consider making a pledge or a one-time
contribution.
Tax-deductible
contributions can be made out to Beyond
Borders. Please write John Engle on the
memo line of your check and send to: Beyond
Borders, P.O. Box 2132, Norristown, PA
19404. To make contributions with credit
card email us at mail@beyondborders.net
or call: 610-277-5045
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"How
can I learn more or get more involved?"
I'm most easily reached by e-mail at:
englejohn@hotmail.com
If
you are interested in conversing on-line
about issues like empowerment, development,
education, leadership, spirituality, Haiti?
Yahoo.com offers a free service for discussion
groups, and I have established one for
us. You can join by sending a message
to Lexperience@yahoogroups.com.It
is a way for us to share our ideas, contacts,
and resources. It costs nothing.
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Copyright
© 2001 Beyond Borders. All rights
reserved.
Revised: February 21, 2002 .
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