International Journal of Appreciative Inquiry
How do we “speak” in the quest for Discovering, Dreaming, Designing and dwelling in our Destiny? What do we express? What surfaces in the verbal, written and visual symbols of communication? Do you sometimes reflect and wonder at the latent nuances of a conversation? How might we unleash sights, sounds and language to expand our stories? What are the processes, tools, and experience that make meaning bigger, bolder and more present on the journey of exploration and collective understanding?
Call for Articles
This issue of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) Practitioner will venture into the new territory of Appreciative Voice to find the answers to these questions. We propose to explore the connotation of “voice” in relation to the generative possibilities of AI in various formats and media. It is also our intention to collect, demonstrate and reflect on cases and stories of success through the eyes of AI consultants and practitioners who have engendered the Appreciative Voice in their work. The aim is twofold: first, to support the ways in which people and groups uniquely conceive, express and disclose perceptions and aspirations generatively; second, to add rich texture to the possibilities of AI as a means to greater insights and collective understanding.
Media and messages are a vital link among people. For some AI consultants, the touch-points of meaningful inquiry in a disrupted world have called for exploration into ways to foster communication that seeks a higher ground. If you are one of those courageous practitioners, we are looking for your thoughts, experiences, musings and practices. Join us in creating an issue of AI Practitioner that encourages both experienced and novice AI consultants to deepen or enrich their capabilities to see the expansive opportunities of expression via Appreciative Voice as they lead or engage others in positive change initiatives.
To Contribute
We invite you to:
Send a proposal of not more than 300 words for an article for the August 2018 edition of Appreciate Inquiry Practitioner Journal (AIP) by 26 February 2018 to: Loretta Donovan loretta.donovan@gmail.com and Suzanne Roff suzrof@gmail.com. You will be informed by 28 March 2018 if your proposal is accepted.
We are looking for articles that highlight generative expression which:
- Focus on the definition of voice through an appreciative lens.
- Explore various means of expression and media within the AI process.
- Extend the opportunity to reflect and reframe, individually and as a group – for people who have interacted directly in the inquiry process, or others outside the immediate story sharing.
- Exemplify the role of AI consultants to model and support expression, relationships, reflection, and insights in voices that are appreciative.
- Employ or illustrate Appreciative Voice in the many sectors of human enterprise, including the arts, business, community engagement, education, government, healthcare, national/international affairs, etc.
Timetable
When you send us your proposal for an article, please be sure that you can meet the other dates in the timetable, if your article idea is selected. The timetable is:
- Proposal for an article (300 words max) by 26 February 2018
- Final article due by 4 May 2018 – preferably before.
- Any further edits to be completed by 30 May 2018
- Publication date is 1 August 2018
What Prompted this Issue in Relation to Appreciative Inquiry?
In August 2017, members of the AI Community in the United States and Canada came together in a Homecoming at Champlain College. As a member of the steering team, Loretta Donovan helped to craft the theme for the event, Appreciative Voices for Our Times. In the three-days that the group were convened, it became clear that their insights and experiences needed to be shared with a larger audience. They also wanted to know how others were thinking and acting along the same lines. But how?
That question has been the catalyst for this issue of AIP. Over recent years, a compelling desire to bring together the principles and practices of AI to spotlight the best of the full range of human voices, some boisterous and others meek or marginalized, has been expressed among strengths-based practitioners. The tenor of public and private communication needs to be more generative, democratic and hopeful. We are primed to find the convergence of AI and expression within this context.
Overall Intent/Audience
This issue is for:
- Experienced AI consultants seeking new ways to reach a higher level of appreciation in inquiry
- Novices to AI who are honing their language and processes in AI
- Others eager to find their Appreciative Voice
Information About the Guest Editors
Loretta Donovan has interwoven a passion for exploring the human spirit with an understanding of how organizations thrive as they create value. She explains,
“I advocate for and facilitate engaged processes via action-oriented inquiry for organizations wanting higher levels of engagement for all their constituents. Bringing all of the voices – through a variety of means of expression – into the room, raises the barometer for compassion, understanding, loyalty and motivation to do one’s best for the good of all.”
Suzanne Roff trained in life span development, recognizes the power of positive emotions and strengths in facing the opportunities and challenges we each face during our lifetime. She appreciates the nuances of verbal and non-verbal communication in connecting with others and in shaping both our present and unknown future
More About AI Practitioner ISSN 1741-8224
The AI Practitioner, formerly known as the AI Newsletter, began in May 1998. The publication is for people interested in making the world a better place using Appreciative Inquiry theory and methodology.
The publication carries articles, case studies and examples highlighting where and how Appreciative Inquiry has been used to bring about positive change. The articles highlight various aspects of the thinking and methodology of Appreciative Inquiry such as the life-giving forces in a system, compelling images of the future, designs for living that future and ways to sustain the relationships and systems necessary for positive change.
Subscribers receive four issues a year in February, May, August and November. Subscribers and purchasers of single issues have a choice of downloading a high-resolution copy for printing or a lower solution copy for screen reading.
Any questions about the AI Practitioner can be directed to: editor@aipractitioner.com
With best regards,
Loretta Donovan and Suzanne Roff
Contact details:
| Loretta Donovan in Connecticut, USA Email: loretta.donovan@gmail.com @LorettaDonovan |
Suzanne Roff in New York, USA Email: suzrof@gmail.com @SuzRoff |