Through the years, many people have given of their time, energy and resources to further the work of the Taos Institute in exploring, developing and disseminating ideas and practices that promote creative, appreciative and collaborative processes in families, communities and organizations around the world. The following people have gone above and beyond and here we recognize them for their outstanding contributions to the work of the Taos Institute.

Dr. John Rijsman

Dr. John Rijsman is granted the Outstanding Contribution award for 2007. His contributions have been both enormous and continuous. Deepest appreciation is extended for his bringing about the creation of the Taos-Tilburg PhD program, and his enlivening and sustaining this program since its inception.  Not only has he lent a crucial, helping hand to every single graduate, but he has also served as the major advisor to others. He has further assisted the Taos Institute in developing generative relations throughout Europe, and exploring new collaborative ventures.  Professor John Rijsman, Department of Psychology, Tilburg University, has been an Associate of the Taos Institute for over a decade.

Dr. Jackie Stavros

Dr. Jackie Stavros, Taos Associate, is granted the third Outstanding Contribution Award by the Taos Institute. She has volunteered hundreds of hours this year working with Jane Seiling, our chief editor, on the Focus Book Series. Both Jackie and Jane work with authors to bring their visions of publishing to a reality.

Dr. Stavros is a professor of Management and Leadership at Lawrence Technical University in Michigan. Several years ago, she offered to volunteer her time, expertise and interest in working with the publishing efforts of the institute. We are grateful for Jackie¹s unending commitment to working with authors, offering her time, talents, vision and voice to the publishing initiatives of the Taos Institute.

Jackie also became one of our authors in 2005 with the new publication: Dynamic Relationships: Unleashing the Power of AI in Daily Living, with co-author Cheri Torres.

We want to thank Jackie for her generous contribution to the Taos Institute in 2005.

Susan Levin

Susan Levin, Executive Director of the Houston Galveston Institute and a Taos Institute Associate, is awarded the second Outstanding Contribution Award by the Taos Institute for her superb efforts and dedication in planning and hosting the Transforming Dialogues: Changing Practice conference, a special conference, co-sponsored by the Houston Galveston Institute and the Taos Institute which was held April 10-13, 2003 in League City, Texas. Over 100 participants engaged in transformative experiences that informed their practices. It was truly a collaborative learning conference that challenged and extended our current practice through exploring social constructionism and dialogical experience.

Not only did this conference bring together social constructionist theory and practice, it also was a special celebration of the 25th anniversary of HGI and the 10th anniversary of TI. We thank Susan for her outstanding service to the Taos Institute.

 

Jane Seiling

Jane Seiling has been granted the first Outstanding Contribution Award by the Taos Institute. Through her remarkable efforts and dedication The Focus Book series has been founded, and has given birth to three very estimable children. Jane’s skills, insights, intelligence, and patience are evident in each of these volumes. The authors in each case owe her a lifetime of appreciation. And should anyone require a perfect model for the Membership Organization, we shall be happy to propose Jane’s name. Email Jane at jseilingl@aol.com or see: www.membership.org