Loyola lecture to feature Margaret Wheatley

‘Thriving Through Creative Connections: How Change Really Happens’

The Loyola University New Orleans’ Institute for Ministry presents internationally acclaimed author, speaker, and consultant Margaret Wheatley, as part of a two day event on Thursday, January 18, and Friday, January 19, 2007. Both events are free and open to the public.

On Thursday evening, from 7–9 p.m., Dr. Wheatley will speak on how communities and organizations can thrive in chaotic times by embracing chaos as an essential element of creativity and by forming innovative connections with others. In her award-winning book, Leadership and the New Science: Discovering Order in a Chaotic World, she draws from a variety of natural world examples to show how communities and organizations can learn from nature how to best organize their energies to accomplish their dreams. The evening will also feature examples of New Orleans area communities and organizations that have been able to thrive in the post-Katrina world because of their creative connections and reinvention of what they do. Thursday evening's event will be held in Nunemaker Auditorium, in Monroe Hall, on Loyola's main campus at 6363 St. Charles Avenue. Parking is available on campus.

On Friday morning, from 8:30 a.m. - noon, Margaret Wheatley will co-facilitate a "World Café" process with Nancy Margulies, its co-founder. Imagine a conference filled with people who see possibilities in problems, are eager for new ideas, and stand ready pitch in to get things done. The “World Café” starts with the assumption that there is no power greater than a community discovering what it cares about and joining resources in new ways to create the future. In this “World Café” small business owners, non-profit staffs, artists, neighborhood and church group representatives, educators, and any interested individuals will join together in substantive conversations to create new possibilities and realities. Space is limited for this event, so participants are encouraged to register on the event web site: http://lim.loyno.edu/wheatley. The event will be held in the St. Charles Room located in the Danna Center on the main campus, 6363 St. Charles Avenue.

The two events are co-sponsored by the Loyola Institute for Ministry, Loyola University School of Business, Non-Profit Central, Greater New Orleans Region Small Business Development Center, Stay Local!, Tulane University School of Social Work, and the Visionary Leadership Institute.

For additional information, please contact Barbara Fleischer at 865-3397.