Conference resources and downloads

Conference program for downloading, .pdf 2.87MB
Workshop handouts for downloading, .pdf 6.2MB

Four rules to a simple life

By David Baum

This text is the basis of Baum's keynote for the 2009 Annual Conference, minus the juggling and fire-eating that are difficult to recreate on a Web page.

The psychiatrist Scott Peck wrote, "The paradox of life is that we are all trapped inside of a box, and the instructions on how to get out of the box are written on the outside of the box." Life can be a complicated process and figuring out a way through is often tough and confusing.

In a way, we are all looking for the “owners manual,” fumbling around in complexity wishing we could make things clearer and more direct. It doesn’t need to be this way. Angeles Arrien, a cross-cultural anthropologist, has spent a lifetime studying this subject and created four rules that can be found in many cultures world wide. I have found them invaluable, and know that whenever I am in a self-made pickle it is because I have violated one of them.

They are not complex. There is a reason for this. What Gandhi called, “means to ends consistency.” He advised that one's journey must match the destination. Thus, if you wanted a simple life, then a complicated process contradicts the goal. A simple life means you must use simple rules. But be warned. Simple does not mean easy. It just means clear, and without equivocation.

David Baum to host 2009 OSR annual conference

Organizational psychologist. Fast change facilitator. Conflict mediator. Fire-eater.

David Baum brings to this year's OSR annual conference a breadth of experience guiding complex transformational change. Baum joins the conference design team as a key collaborator and host for the Saturday, June 20 event at Seattle University.

Reflecting on the conference theme, Designing life and work in an upended world, Baum observes, “Right now my clients are highly stressed. It’s very hard out there; I’ve never seen it so difficult. People’s fear about the future is restrictive and addictive.”

“Key questions are ‘How can people maintain their humanity and hope over fear during these times?’ 'How can we design proactive postures that move people away from being victims and into being active in creating their experience?'"

"It’s a big time; none of us can play small at this point.”

25 years guiding complex change

Baum is no stranger to facing fear having worked in two countries with horrendous genocide — Rawanda and Bosnia-Herzegovina. “I’ve seen the worst of what humanity can be."

Working with Women for Women International, David advised in entrepreneurship and leadership development in post-conflict Sarajevo. With church committees in Belfast, Northern Ireland, he led a conflict mediation effort and created strategies for minimizing inter-faith violence in neighborhoods.

Coordinating large system change with diverse teams, David helped Shell Oil implement a $260 million SAP conversion that far exceeded expectations.

At the Summit for America's Future during the Clinton administration, David worked with Colin Powell to unite governors, senators, and major city mayors in focusing on understanding and implementing best practices for youth.

Baum holds a doctorate in organizational psychology from Temple University and a second doctorate in divinity from Naropa University. He is one of the few people to teach at three of the top ten business schools (Wharton, Cambridge and the Richard Ivey School). And he worked his way through graduate school as a clown with Ringling Brothers and Barnum Bailey circus. David Baum biography

David has an intuitive understanding of human nature, which inspires great confidence and trust. He is thoughtful and sensitive, clear thinking, and his direct and honest advice helps me to make strategic plans for the way ahead. David has become both confidant and friend. I love his appreciation of nature and our shared sense of hope that we can make this a better world for all.” — Jane Goodall, environmental activist

Reserve your place beginning Monday, April 27

2009 OSR annual conference
Designing life and work in an upended world
Saturday, June 20 at Seattle University

Reservations for the 2009 conference begin Monday, April 27 at osr-nw.org/conference. Conference details, including morning and afternoon workshops, will be announced at that time. Sign up for free conference email updates.

Design a workshop for the 2009 annual conference

Stimulate the conversation about designing life and work in today's changing world. Design a 90-minute workshop session for the annual conference on Saturday, June 20. The design team for the conference is soliciting proposals due Friday, April 3.

Presenters are invited to develop interactive and experiential workshops that explore the nuances of effective and sustainable change in the complex human systems that comprise our work and our world. Two related conference paths are planned — one on emerging theories related to change and a second on practical applications for consultants and their clients.

Workshop proposals requested for 2009 annual conference

The design team for the 2009 OSR Annual Conference is soliciting proposals for 90-minute workshop sessions for the Saturday, June 20 event. The theme of the 2009 conference is Designing life and work in a changing world.

Presenters are invited to develop interactive and experiential workshops that explore the nuances of effective and sustainable change in the complex human systems that comprise our work and our world. Two related conference paths are planned — one on emerging theories related to change and a second on practical applications for consultants and their clients.

2009 OSR conference design team calls for volunteers

What’s the theme of the next OSR conference? Well, that could be up to you!

The team that will design the fourth annual conference is now forming. Team members will meet monthly through the winter and spring to bring OSR's popular event to life on Saturday, June 20, 2009.  As a member of the design team, you’ll work with stimulating and creative colleagues to design and host this gathering of change leaders.  

We invite you to step into the possibility of next year’s conference, to offer your experience, skills, wisdom, and humor in service to our community. Steve Byers and Carolyn Davidson of the OSR Alumni Association Board will sponsor this team of 4-6 people drawn from the OSR Community (if you’re reading the Grapevine, you’re part of the community). If you’d like to find out more about this commitment, please contact Steve or Carolyn by Friday, November 21.  We’re eager to begin building the relationships that will sustain us through the project.