[Dialogue] Transition Announcement

[Terry Bergdall via Dialogue]

At my initiative last May, I informed the ICA-USA Board of Directors that I
thought it was time for them to begin the process of identifying my
replacement as ICA’s executive officer. Since this listserv represents the
community to which I feel accountable, it is appropriate that I share with
you my thoughts about this decision. It also is my effort to answer
questions that I suspect many people will have when they hear the news.



It was in early January 2007 when I was first presented with the idea of
becoming Executive Director of ICA-USA. My initial response was strongly
negative. I was enjoying the fruits of nearly 20 years, following the
disbanding of the Order, as a successful independent consultant. I
considered myself to be an eager and active player in expanding the reach
and impact of the OE community, the “flowering of the Order” as some have
called it, through a wide array of creative activities that were generally
beyond its grasp when it was more tightly bound. Why give that up to
wrestle with the problems, and potential drudgery, of institutional life?



Despite my initial “no,” a seed was planted and ideas about ICA’s future
continued to grow within my imagination. The reason for embracing
institutional challenges is because they have a way of outlasting us all. I
wanted to ensure that the principles, perspectives, values, and wisdom that
have motivated people during the past 50 years would continue to have a
living home. This is manifest in new programs that give practical form to
truths like: (1) everyone has gifts, assets, and capacities; (2) the
external situation is never the problem; (2) people live out of images and
when images change, behavior changes; (4) an emphasis on cultural
dimensions of the social process is the key to addressing economic and
political contradictions. My passion was, and is, to ensure these points,
and others like them, are embedded in the institutional fabric of an
organization that will continue beyond my lifetime. The vision, therefore,
is ICA as a branded vessel for profound insights that inspire people to
action.



My commitment when I took this job involved three objectives:  create
innovative new programs built upon the legacy of ICA’s past while
addressing new realities, obtain economic stability, and to pass on the
organization to new leadership looking toward the next 50 years. I feel
very good these days about the dynamic programs for which ICA-USA enjoys a
growing high-profile reputation -- the neighborhood work with “Accelerate
77,” the emergence of the “GreenRise Learning Laboratory” at 4750,
leadership development of university students through contextual education
and civic engagement, and the spreading of ToP facilitation methods
throughout the country. ICA’s international connectedness is a powerful
feature of its work. Economic stability remains an elusive objective
requiring constant diligence but is never reason for inaction. Based on all
of the above, I believe now is the right time to enable a successful
transition to new leadership from among those who are attracted to ICA’s
underlying purpose and in-depth programs.



To that end, I will post information very soon from the ICA-USA Board of
Directors about the succession process to appoint a new CEO.
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