Organization Development Network

If this is your first OD Network Conference, plan to attend this Sunday session designed just for you. You’ll meet and network with other attendees who are first-timers—and we’ll provide a practical introduction to getting the most from Conference 2008. A great investment of your time, this enjoyable session helps you hit the ground running!

This highly rated conference favorite is named in honor of OD founder and committed mentor, Dick Beckhard. The program pairs practitioners who are newer to the field with more seasoned OD mentors. While the commitment is for the duration of the conference only, the relationships that are forged often last long beyond the conference experience! If you would like to work with a mentor, please sign up as a “mentee” on the conference registration form. We are inviting seasoned practitioners to give back to the field by volunteering to participate in this unique conference mentoring relationship. If you are willing to participate as a mentor, please check that box on the registration form.

Join the OD Network Board of Trustees and Executive Director for a conversation about progress in advancing the theory and practice of organization development. As we work to develop our own organization and the field of OD, what new connections and alliances have the potential to build our capacity? Who has exciting, useful ideas about organizations and the people in them? How might we support our thought leaders of the future? In addition to a community conversation, a short business meeting will briefly outline the OD Network’s 2008 achievements and 2009 goals.

On Saturday afternoon before the conference, join a conversation designed for members of regional networks who would like to share key accomplishments and practices and learn with colleagues from other regions. This is an opportunity to focus on strengthening regional networks through innovation and partnership. Come prepared to share stories of your successes. Got questions or challenges? We’ll use the wisdom of the group to help you find potential answers and solutions. This session is open to anyone who would like to share regional network experience and strengthen our “network of networks.”

The OD Network is committed to recognizing and rewarding the contributions of individuals and organizations who advance the theory and practice of organization development. Join us on Tuesday morning for the presentation of the 2008 OD Network Awards.

Self-organized group meetings led by volunteers are an OD Network Conference tradition. Meetings bring together people with common identity, interests, industry, roles, or challenges. Groups spend time reflecting, connecting, and renewing.

We will be listing affinity and special interest groups as they are established. If you are interested in hosting and facilitating a group on Monday evening please email a description of the group to Linda Sherman so we can reserve a room for you.

Sponsor Reception hosted by the Ken Blanchard Executive MBA Program
You are cordially invited to join us at a hosted reception on Monday evening. Enjoy visiting with the authors and leaders (alumni of The Ken Blanchard Executive MBA) featured in The Business Case for Servant Leadership and receive an autographed copy of the book.

Sponsor Reception hosted by AU/NTL and the NTL Institute
AU/NTL & the NTL Institute invite AU/NTL alums, faculty, and friends to join with NTL members for a Monday evening social. Join us for light food and drinks to hear the latest regarding our programs, reconnect with old friends and network to widen our circle of community.

Coaching in a Complex World:
Leaders today face the challenge of managing complexity. This is where we, as coaches and professional partners, come in: helping our clients understand their roles and responsibilities in an ever-evolving complex landscape. This session will allow participants and practitioners to share perspectives and models for recognizing emergent patterns and developing practical strategies for achieving success in their coaching relationships. Please join us! For further information, contact Mallary Tytel

Coaching as a Social Phenomenon:
Calling All OD Practitioner and Coaches! Please join us for an affinity group session hosted by The Coaching Commons, a project of The Harnisch Foundation. If you are interested in coaching and OD, you are invited for networking and a lively discussion of coaching as a social phenomenon, which, if it is to be sustained, must balance innovation with a deeper understanding of its multidisciplinary history. Light refreshments will be provided. For information contact Vikki Brock

The 23rd Global Forum
Conveners: IODA, Karen J. Davis and Imre Lovey
We invite you to the 23rd annual Global Forum - an opportunity to dialogue about global OD. We will share our stories, challenges and joys in our various countries and consulting as we continue to build our global OD community.

Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual and Transgendered Professionals in OD
Drop by for an informal meet-and-greet with other members of the LGBT Community, to share impressions of the conference, of OD, and of things in general in an informal, agenda-free and welcoming get-together. First-timers particularly welcome! We'll start a bit early; come by anytime after 5:45.

Women in OD
Come together as female professionals in the field of OD to explore our diversity of experience and backgrounds and “together” contribute to our collective growth. This gathering provides an opportunity for us to network, exchange information and to stimulate our thinking on current OD issues in a collegial, self-organized community. Our intention is to create an environment that supports meaningful and dynamic conversations about topics that matter to those in the room. For information, contact Sue Funkhouser.

Healthcare Practitioners in OD
In a follow-up to our Sunday working session, we will continue the conversation during the affinity group sessions on Monday night to broaden the discussion on issues raised and engage those of you unable to participate on Sunday morning. We will continue to frame our conversations around the critical areas of healthcare and OD and begin to formulate ideas on how to be in action about these ideas.

Whatever the outcome, Barack Obama’s campaign has ignited hope in millions of people for near-magical possibilities. Not only in the United States, but also, it seems, around the world. We invite People of Color and First Peoples to come together for our 21st gathering on Sunday, October 19, to build on that hope to transform ourselves, our organizations, our communities, and the world. Please contact ArnoldMinors@sympatico.ca if you would like more information.

Join a special dialogue around the most challenging and pressing issues facing OD practitioners in the healthcare field. Get an early start on the conference and capitalize on this rare opportunity to collaborate with colleagues from across the country (and around the world). For more information, email Heather Hanson: HANSONHE@sanfordhealth.org

Conveners: Dave Jamieson & Denny Gallagher

The gODparents (senior practitioners with 25 or more years of experience) have met for many years to explore topics of importance to the field and to the Network, to stay connected or re-connect, and to identify ways to be of service to the field. After nearly 60 years, as new people are entering or engaging the field in large numbers, OD confronts both numerous challenges and practical issues, and it’s an important time for the gODparents of the field to gather to share our experience and wisdom. At this year’s meeting, we’re inviting all experienced, senior practitioners to join us to discuss re-purposing, developing, and sustaining the gODparents group so that we might continue to be of value to the Network and to profession.

Sunday evening’s Welcome to Austin reception offers a warm welcome along with light fare and background music. This reception is the time to connect with old friends and make the acquaintance of colleagues from across the country and around the world. Come network with other attendees and kick off your Conference 2008! A ticket to this reception is included with your full conference registration. A cash bar is available. Guest tickets may be purchased for those who are not full conference attendees.

Austin is famous for its live music, great food and nightlife. We’d like to make sure you have the chance to sample it, so we’ve arranged for Downtown Austin Shuttle buses on Tuesday night. Roundtrip tickets are $20—about a third the cost of a taxi. We’ll provide maps to attractions in the neighborhood. Shuttles run from 7:00-11:00 pm. Whether you’re going downtown or not, join us for complimentary snacks during a Conversation and Cocktail Hour at the end of the day on Tuesday. (Cash bar)