All organisations have strengths, and in these strengths lies the potential for growth and change.What are the strengths of your organisation?This simple question can be the catalyst for strategic planning and cultural change in any organisation or team.What Works? The Strengths of an Organisation brings alive the philosophies of Appreciative Inquiry and other strength-based approaches by stimulating dynamic thinking and conversations about what really works in organisations. What Works? contains 28 cards—each featuring a key strength and four statements that can be used to identify, build and celebrate strengths in your team or organisation.

Use these cards and watch for changes in the way your teams think, speak and work.‘What Works? provides a strong foundation for generative conversations about organisational or community strengths.’ Sue James, Appreciative Inquiry Facilitator and Consultant.The cards have a wipe on wipe off surface so they can be used with a non permanent marker.

Anyone can use the cards for personal reflection:• a manager might use the cards

to gain insight into a specific operational function or objective

• a supervisor might introduce the cards at a planning meeting as a different window into good practice

• a team leader might use the cards to build a strengths-based culture in a

www.innovativeresources.org - 137 McCrae Street, Bendigo - 54432 0500

In this volume...

• What Works?

• The Bears

• The new Kimochis

• Picture books and IR

• New books at IR

• Our new catalogue

To contribute to SOON email us at: soon@innovativeresources.org

St Luke’s Innovative Resources137 McCrae StBendigo 3550 Australiainfo@innovativeresources.orgwww.innovativeresources.orgphone: (03) 5442 0500fax: (03) 5442 0555international (+61 3)

go to IR home page

Even with the best of maps and instruments, we can never fully chart our journeys - Gail Pool

SOONVolume 35 - March 2010IR Home

St. Luke's

Seriously Optimistic Online NewsletterSeriously Optimistic Online Newsletter

RRP INC. GST $4950CODE 4850

Order now on our website www.innovativeresources.orgor email an enquiry to info@innovativeresources.org

I’ve always believed in writing without a collaborator, because where two people are writing the same book each believes he gets all the worries and only half the royalties - Agatha Christie (1890 - 1976)

Putting Strengths Into ActionA selection of workshops for developingskills & resources in Strengths Based Practice

Two day introduction to the Strengths Approach15-16 March 2010Cost $396Facilitated by Di O’Neil

Two day Strengths based Supervision17-18 March 2010Cost $396Facilitated by Eloise Neylon

Client FeedbackPeople know what helps19 MarchCost $198Facilitated by Eloise Neylon

Two day TravellingToolshed15-16 March 2010Cost $396.00Facilitated by Russell Deal

Soulful MelancholyWhy feeling sad is no reason not to be happy17-18 March 2010Cost $275Facilitated by Karen Masman

Tools for teambuilding19 March 2010Cost $198Facilitated by Russell Deal

Still a few spots left, give Nola a call on 5442 0500.

work group• an Appreciative Inquiry practitioner might use

multiple sets to invite an entire organisation to identify its strengths by working in small groups

• a lunch group might argue about the cards rather than about the football

• an individual might use the cards to reflect on aspects of his/her work.

As with all our products the What Works? toolbox contains a booklet outlining the many arenas in which you may find an opportunity to use the cards.The foreword is written by Pam Robinson OAM, Manager, Climate Change and Environment, Darwin City Council and the development team includes acclaimed IR stalwarts: Kevin Vallence, Russell Deal and Karen Masman.

To quote Pam Robinson, “What Works? works—very well.”

For nearly 20 years The Bears have been used in countless situations to help explore and articulate feelings.

Innovative Resources is proud to announce the release of a brand new edition of this iconic card set that has already found a home in the tool kits of thousands of human service workers.

Our new Bears have even more charm, express a greater range of emotions and look…even more human!

The Bears actually started their life in the early 1990’s as The Bear Family which we thought might be a different way of creating ‘family sculptures’, a well known family therapy technique.

Little did we know that The Bears would go on to become one of our best selling conversation-building tools.

One reason for this was their versatility. They could be adapted to a huge range of conversations.

But the other reason is their ability to give

a voice to those whose voice is often not heard or whose voices have been silenced.

It is easy for linguistically gifted people (as most human service workers are) to assume that it is easy to express one’s feelings.

But for many of the folk we work with describing their smorgasbord of emotions can be confusing and at times unattainable.

People with intellectual disabilities, learning disabilities and physical disabilities can all struggle to put the words together to express their feelings. Consequently many can feel silenced.

We can also assume that children readily build a vocabulary to express their emotions but again this is simply not so.

It was when we began to hear stories about how The Bears were used to allow sufferers of cerebral palsy to evaluate their services, how they were used with inmates in New Zealand prisons or how they were used with non-English speaking refugees, that we realised that The Bears could indeed play a vital role in insuring that those without a powerful voice in society could still be heard.

In more recent years The Bears have become pivotal in methods to obtain clear and genuine feedback from both children and parents who use a variety of family services.

The new Bears are even more cute and cuddly than the originals but beyond this they still serve as a front line tool for social justice by giving voice to the silenced.

This new edition of ‘The Bears’ will be available shortly and orders are being accepted now.$49.50 inc. GSTCode 0200

The Bears and Social Justice

Many books require no thought from those who read them, and for a very simple reason; they made no such demand upon those who wrote them - Charles Caleb Colton (1780 - 1832)

A BRILLIANT NEW TACTILE RESOURCEInnovative Resources have just discovered a brand new commercially produced product that is ideal for building conversations about feelings.Kimochis means ‘feelings’ in Japanese. These are small soft pillows, about 6 cms in diameter, that name and illustrate a particular emotion. They are soft to touch, inviting to hold and squeeze, durable, and able to be written on.If you have discovered our own ‘Pocket of Stones’ and ‘Eggheads’ you will know the magical power that tactile materials can have in bringing alive conversations about feelings even in tough times.Kimochis come in 3 packs with 6 different feelings represented in each. Each pack costs $16.50. Each pack also has a blank, make- your-own Kimochi with a washable pen.Pack 1 includes Kimochis that are Jealous, Loved , Grateful, Scared and Shy.Pack 2 includes Kimochis that are Kind, Hurt, Sorry, Uncomfortable and FriendlyPack 3 includes Kimochis that are

Sleepy, Surprised, Embarrassed, Guilty and Excited.Kimochis also can be purchased with delightful plush toy characters: Cloud, Bug, Huggtopus and Cat.These characters stand approximately 30cm’s high and can house your kimochis. They are pretty cute and kids are going to adore

them.Bug comes with Brave, Left-out and Happy KimochisCloud comes with Mad, Sad and Happy Kimochis

Huggtopus comes with Silly, Frustrated and Happy

KimochisCat comes with Curious, Cranky and Happy Kimochis.

Each of the 4 Characters comes in a boxed set, and costs $49.50 including the 3 different Kimochis and a suggestions booklet.We were excited to discover Kimochis because we think they are a perfect resource for building emotional literacy, emotional intelligence, self esteem and resilience using materials kids will love.

For more information or to place an order check our website or call Cath or Kylie, on (03) 5442 0500.Code7272 Kimochis Bug7273 Kimochis Cat7274 Kimochis Cloud7275 Kimochis Huggtopus

$49.95 inc. GSTCode7276 Kimochis Mixed Pack 17277 Kimochis Mixed Pack 27278 Kimochis Mixed Pack 3

$16.50 inc. GST

Unprovided with original learning, unformed in the habits of thinking, unskilled in the arts of composition, I resolved to write a book - Edward Gibbon (1737 - 1794)

And now.... KIMOCHIS

WHY WE LOVE PICTURE BOOKSEveryone who has done one of our Travelling Toolshed or Tools of the

Trade workshops would have heard me tell the story of the particular

book that sparked my fascination with the transformational power of picture books and contributed significantly to my vision of what Innovative Resources

could become.The book was ‘The Man Who Loved Boxes’ by Stephen Michael King.I first encountered TMWLB in the early 1990’s when it won an award for children’s literature. Except that it is not a ‘children’s book’.Great picture books should be enjoyed by adults as well as kids without embarrassment and TMWLB packs a powerful message for anyone of any age who struggles to find the words to express themselves.The story of a man who used cardboard boxes to make things for his son as his way

of saying ‘I love you’ is a pertinent metaphor for many of us men who are not necessarily comfortable sitting around talking about

their feelings at length.My own dad was such a man who used his

ability as a craftsman to say ‘I love you’ when his shyness, even with me, meant he had trouble being able to verbally express his feelings.I read The Man Who loved Boxes at dad’s funeral because it was such a reflection of him.But TMWLB is also a brilliant metaphor for many of us in human services who struggle to get the words out and who feel clumsy in our talking skills. The book says that one doesn’t need to be a great wordsmith to say something profound.The thought that maybe there are other ways to say important things that don’t rely on the spoken word alone became a fascination to me that lasts to this day and remains the tantalizing possibility behind the ‘therapeutic’, hands-on tools that we publish at Innovative Resources.After some 18 years of publishing, training and bookselling I still get no greater joy than discovering a newly published picture book that touches my heart or challenges my mind.The first time I bumped into ‘Someday’ by Peter Reynolds I had tears in my eyes and bought 4 copies – one for all the women in my immediate family. It is a lovely soulful book that speaks to what every mum would want to gift to their daughters.With ‘The Short and Incredibly Happy Life of Riley’ I also had tears in my eyes, but this time from laughing out loud. Riley is a rat who has discovered secrets about simplicity and contentment that elude many of us humans.My biggest regret is that I am not more thoroughly organized with my picture book collection. They are all too easy to give away particularly when one’s grandchildren develop a new

favourite.Picture books are a brilliant conversation-building tool. They can be read out loud in a couple of minutes and can change the dynamic of the most boring staff meeting, the most soporific sermon or any interview or counselling session that feels like wading through quicksand.The best picture books do not preach but have messages that can be interpreted in different ways and that ‘sneak up’ on the reader.And most people I have discovered, even grumpy old blokes like this author, still enjoy being read to.Maybe its worth taking a chance and slipping in an apt picture book into your next conversation that starts to drag. My theory is that there is a picture book with a relevant metaphor for just about any situation.This is the reason our bookshop in Bendigo (and our website) is chock through with quality picture books that are not just cute and feel-good but are embedded with profound, purposeful, possibly life-changing metaphors. Please come and check out our range on-line or in cosmopolitan Bendigo and I think you will find one of the best selections of ‘picture books’ anywhere.Finally, Innovative Resources has published several picture books of our own and as the author and publisher of ‘The Wrong Stone’ it is a continuous delight to bump into people who have heard it read, or read it themselves, and been touched by it.

You ask me why I do not write something....I think one’s feelings waste themselves in words, they ought all to be distilled into actions and into actions which bring results - Florence Nightingale (1820 - 1910)

Being White in the Helping Professions: Developing Effective Intercultural Awareness

Judy Ryde

Jessica Kingsley Publishers, 2009

Cat no. 9101

Price: $42.95

“White people tend not to think of themselves as having a race. In fact there is often an implicit understanding among white people that they are racially neutral. So what would white people’s experience be if they did consider themselves to be racially white?” In this important book, Judy Ryde tackles the question of how white people can most effectively act as agents of change in ending racism. While white people in the helping professions are aware of their responsibility to practice without discrimination, they often fail to recognize their own cultural identity and the impact it has when practising in a multicultural environment.

Ryde reveals how white people have implicit and explicit advantages and privileges that often go unnoticed by them. In order to work effectively in a multicultural setting, these privileges and advantages need to be fully acknowledged and confronted. Ryde explores whether it is possible to talk about a white identity and addresses uncomfortable feelings such as guilt or shame. She also offers a model for ‘white awareness’ in a diverse society and draws on examples from her own experiences to illustrate her arguments.

This publication is broken into three parts, the first of which explores what it means to be white in a historical, sociological and psychological context, and how this is played out within the helping professions. The second part of the book deals specifically with the practice of white helping professionals and looks at the effect that being white has on our operation within a racialized context. Part three explores organizational dynamics which cause white privilege to become endemic. She looks at ways organizations can become less white-centric through training, work practices and supervision.

Although Judy is a UK-based practitioner, there is much in her book that can easily be transposed

to the Australian context. By inviting readers to reflect openly on their experience of whiteness and to explore ways of dealing with guilt, doubt and unwittingly racist thoughts, she has produced a book that is not only inherently interesting and challenging, but one that will be essential reading for all human service professionals—and especially those who work in a multicultural environment.

Guardians of Being (2009)

Cat No. 9226

Price: $24.95 What happens when you mix the words of a best-selling, spiritual teacher like Eckhart

Tolle with the dog characters developed by popular comic strip artist Patrick McDonnell? Well, you end up with Guardians of Being, a delectable book that uses the antics of our canine companions to foster thought, insight and a smiling reverence for all beings.

This book is more than a collection of witty, cartoon-style drawings. Together, Tolle and McDonnell have created a work that reminds us not only of the oneness of life but also the wonder and joy to be found in the present moment. This is a book to remind us of the beauty all around us—the beauty that we often forget to notice.

McDonnell’s endearing dog characters, derived from his comic strip MUTTS, provide a reminder of the value of our relationships with animalsm, while Eckhart’s simple prompts encourage us to reflect and learn from those relationships. One reviewer called this book “A lovely meditation on the power and grace animals bring to our lives.” So whether you’re a pet-owner, a would-be pet owner, a one-time pet-owner or not a pet-owner at all, this is a great book for those moments when you need some furry friends to recharge your batteries and remind you of the essentials in life.

NEW BOOKS AT IR

This is the sixth book I’ve written, which isn’t bad for a guy who’s only read two

George Burns (1896 - 1996)

No passion in the world is equal to the passion to alter someone else’s draft

H. G. Wells (1866 - 1946)

As we speak the IR team has been busy adding the final touches to our new catalogue. All our latest publications and a couple that are due off the press shortly have been added and final proofs have been signed off for production.This year we’ve added the ‘Can Do Dinosaurs’, Gena McLean’s ‘Note to Self’ cards, the ‘What Works’ cards published with the help of Kevin Vallance, the new edition of ‘Strength in Teams’ a new edition of ‘The Bears’, the brand new ‘Ups and Downs’, a revised ‘Our Scrapbook of Strengths’, a new version of ‘Strength Cards for Kids’ and the brand new ‘Talking up our Strengths’ that focusses

on the inherent strengths within the Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders communities.The catalogue has been published on our web page and can be opened from the book shelve on our home page (see below). Or just click on the image above and it will open up for

reading in your browser.While you’re there you’ll notice we are publishing more and more of the booklets that accompany our card sets, so if you’re in doubt or just want to confirm your interest, have a read through the booklets.On that subject check out the six page feature that appeared in our local newspaper, the Bendigo

Weekly, telling the story behind the success of St. Luke’s Innovative Resources.

Feel free to drop us a line at info@innovativeresources.org if you would like a hard copy of the catalogue mailed out to you - free of charge.

New Catalogue available now