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Jerald
Forster, Professor Emeritus, College of Education, University
of Washington, collaborated with Bernard Haldane in 1987
to establish the Dependable Strengths Project at the University
of Washington. He, along with Bernard Haldane, Jean Haldane,
and Allen Boivin-Brown, later developed and implemented
5-day DSP Workshops designed to prepare professionals
to help others articulate and use their Dependable Strengths.
Jerald was one of the founding members of the Board of
Directors for the Center for Dependable Strengths. |
The month of March 2006 was a period of both celebration
and lamentation for me and others connected to the Center
for Dependable Strengths (CDS).
The celebration was stimulated by the arrival of Yaping Li,
coming from Shanghai, China, to assist in the facilitation
of the 5-Day DS Workshop for DS Trainers. Yaping’s visit
was the beginning of a new relationship between our Center
and the one he will establish in China. As the week of March
5-11, 2006 progressed, it was obvious that the 5-day workshop
and Yaping’s visit satisfied or exceeded everyone’s
expectations.
However, the week was preceded by a sad event that affected
everyone involved in the March Workshop and Yaping’s
visit. That event was Jean Haldane’s stroke that occurred
a couple of weeks prior to the workshop. Jean’s medical
condition was a big concern of many people who know her, and
it certainly concerned those of us who were planning to facilitate
the March workshop. As is known by people who have been involved
in past 5-day workshops, Jean Haldane has been a very important
person in the facilitation of these workshops. Her spirit
and her presence have significantly influenced each workshop
in which she has participated.
Fortunately, everyone connected with the workshop and with
Yaping’s visit rose to the challenge of the circumstances,
and we had another successful workshop facilitated by Yaping
Li, Liz Peterson, Allen Boivin-Brown and myself. Actually,
several other members of the CDS community also made guest
appearances at the workshop, so the success of the workshop
can be attributed to many people who contributed in various
ways.
Although she was not able to attend in person, Jean Haldane
ended up making many of the contributions she is known for.
Videotapes of her talks and introductions in previous workshops
were used, along with manuscripts of her wise words. In addition,
she had made arrangements prior to her stroke to have participants
in the 5-day workshop come to the Horizons House on Wednesday
evening for a Northwest meal and celebration. This event was
held on the top floor of the retirement center where she lives,
and the view itself made it a memorable experience. Although
Jean was not yet strong enough to attend the event, her presence
was very much in evidence. Many of us had wonderful memories
of past events held at this striking location, including Bernard’s
birthday party and similar events. As the Wednesday evening
event progressed, those of us so fortunate to have known Jean
over a number of years described some of our memories and
our feelings about her. Before the event ended, those who
had not yet met her had gained an appreciation for her exceptional
qualities and some said they felt blessed to have been touched
by her special spirit.
Then on Friday, the last day of the workshop, the participants
were impacted by Jean’s beautiful talk about “The
Big Picture,” which had been recorded in the same room
of the Faculty Club a few years before. As usual, the 24 participants
of the workshop were laudatory in their evaluation of the
5-day workshop, Yaping, Jean and the rest of us had provided
them with a satisfying experience that will hopefully lead
to many other workshops where even more people articulate
their strengths and improve their lives.
On the Saturday, following the end of the workshop, the Executive
Board of the CDS met with Yaping Li for several hours to exchange
ideas and plans. Then a formal agreement was signed establishing
the collaborative working relationship between the American
CDS and the China Center. After the session, Yaping and several
members of the CDS board were able to meet with Jean Haldane
at her recovery facility, culminating Yaping’s visit
with a meaningful ending.
On the very next Monday, Jean returned to her own home in
Horizons House, aided for awhile by a team of people who will
help her recover. Although Jean’s medical problem certainly
changed the flavor of Yaping’s visit, her many contributions
to the Dependable Strengths community were in evidence during
the week of March 5-11, 2006. We all rose to the challenge
and carried out successful and meaningful events that marked
the growth and evolution of the Center for Dependable Strengths
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