GIS iBlog

Family Life & Community Health

I have almost completed my theoretical 'learning' program with Encompass. I will soon be joining them in doing hands on/hearts on work with families. This is in conjunction with my work as a relationship coach. I bring up Encompass, their work and my training because I have been so impressed with what I am learning. It is 'integral' in action. They have been applying basic 'integral' thinking and action in their work with families for almost two decades. The following is from their website "

EnCompass programs enable families to maximize health and well-being. Since 1985, parents and professionals have turned to EnCompass to accelerate work-life balance, communication and mutual respect among all family members"

They also work with corporations to bring more 'humanity' to the corporate setting. This of course increases employee well being, sense of connection and productivity.

I strongly encourage families, therapists, and educators to learn more about the Encompass programs.

Michael D. Ostrolenk

Unschooling, Reschooling, Deschooling and Reform

There are many areas of human activity where one can see the transpartisan impulse at play. One such area that is of extreme interest and importance to me is in education. I have spent the last 6 months studying the history of the American education system. Trying to get a grasp on the players, the worldviews, the various systems of thought, the outcomes intended, the organizations, foundations, colleges and universities pushing the particular agenda's we see at play in our current system which had its founding at the turn of the 19th century. I won't ruing the ending of the story (you can see for yourself how it is now playing out) but would suggest anyone interested in our survival and thriving as a species should concern themselves with our educational system. Fortunately, there are many people and organizations who are taking matters into their own hands and attempting, either on a large scale or small scale to change the system, replace the system, ignore the system, create alternative systems, etc. For anyone interested to learn more, I would refer you to the Alternative Education Resource Organization, the Alliance for the Separation of School and State,, Ed Watch, The Odysseus Group and The National Education Consortium

Greening the Schools

Dear Friends,
I read a very interesting article in the July/August 2004 issue of "ORION" magazine entitled "After the Asphalt." by Sharon Gamson Danks. It is about a San Fransisco based alliance of schools, mom's, garden coordinators, teachers, city reps,etc who have come together to green the schoolyards in San Fransisco. To learn more go to The Green School Yard Alliance

CODEX and Health Freedom

From our friend, James Gormley-

Dear Fellow Health-Freedom Leaders,

Here's the link to the new Citizens for Health "Health Action Center" Codex
letter!

Take Action! Ask the U.S. Codex Delegation to protect DSHEA!

I am going to ask all of you to please put your collective hundreds of contacts and networks on high alert to please act on the letter by coordinating the sending in of thousands upon thousands of letters to the official U.S. Codex Delegates whose names are listed. And it's as easy as clicking on the link, reading the letter, filling in your info and clicking
submit!

Let's all write to Dr. Barbara Schneeman now and other key official U.S. Codex delegates know that we are confident that the U.S. Delegation won't let us down at the Codex conference tables in Bonn, Rome, Geneva and here in
the U.S.

This letter reflects a collaborative effort between Citizens for Health and David Hinde's Alliance for Natural Health

Thanks so much.

Many blessings,

James (Gormley)

Transpartisan Politics

Beyond Left & Right: Toward A New Transpartisan Politics
By Michael Ostrolenk In today's post-partisan world, left-right, liberal-conservative, Republican-Democrat lack useful significance in describing a complete picture of contemporary politics. These 19th century shopworn terms fail to include a new large post-partisan demographic which is emerging and has yet... for more

The Politics of Pain:Drug Policy & Patient Access to Effective Pain Treatments

Friday, Sept 17, 2004

121 Cannon HOB

11 am – 12:30 pm (Light refreshments following presentations)

RSVP: briefing@aapsonline.org or (800) 635-1196 by 12:00 noon, Wed. Sept 15.

Briefing & lunch are free of charge

Integral Ecology

Sean Hargens and David Johnston, two GIS Associates will be presenting with Ken Wilber on INTEGRAL ECOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY in November in Colorado. For more information Integral Institute