Session 7: What Gets in the Way of Change, and Three Change Processes that Work

Reading: Please read chapters 15 & 16 of "The Natural Step for Communities" before meeting with your study circle for Session 7.

Questions: Please consider the following questions while reading the relevant chapters of the book, and use them to guide discussion during your study circle.

  1. Have you ever attended a public hearing where a plan or project that interested or concerned you was being presented for public comment or input? What did you experience being there? Did you experience the feeling of participation in the plan or project?
  2. Have you ever experienced a situation such as those described on pp.179-180, where a plan or project designed by another is thrust upon you? How did that experience make you feel? How does it compare to the experience of participating in plan-making or projects from the beginning?
  3. Consider the role of a guiding vision in plan-making and implementation (either work or personal). What are some examples of this from your own life or the lives of others? After we form a vision of what it is that we want - be it a career, a life experience - what do we do next? How does this relate to "backcasting" described on p.193?
  4. Open up your notebook to the grid that is entitled "Planning and Monitoring Results for Personal Vision." We will learn the effectiveness of this simple tool to help us apply the four System Conditions of The Natural Step in a way that we can carry out to our larger community.

Study Guide Chapters

Select from the sections below to view questions:

  • Overview: Guideines, Facilitators, Openings and Circle Questions
  • Session 1: Introducing the Natural Step Framework and Sustainability (Chapters 1, 2 & 3)
  • Session 2: Changing to Renewable Energy Resources and Alternative Transportation (Chapters 5 & 6)
  • Session 3: Eco-Housing and Green Building/Business (Chapters 7 & 8)
  • Session 4: Eco-Economic Development and Ecological Schools/Education (Chapters 9 & 10)
  • Session 5: Sustainable Agriculture and Dealing with Waste (Chapters 11 & 12)
  • Session 6: Protecting Biodiversity and Sustainable Land Use and Planning (Chapters 13 & 14)
  • Session 7: What Gets in the Way of Change and Three Change Processes That Work (Chapters 15 & 16)
  • Session 8: Steps to Change and Process Leader (Chapters 17 & 18)

Further Resources and Readings

Piscataqua Sustainability Initiative: Stay tuned for updates
www.thepsi.net