GIFT OF HOSPITALITY
by Mary O’Connell
In a social system, people are known by what’s wrong, by their condition or
label,
In community, people are known as individuals.
In a system, people are incomplete and need to be changed or fixed,
In community, people are as they are, with opportunities to follow their own
dreams.
In a system, relationships are unequal: service worker do things “for” clients….
In community, relationships are reciprocal, give and take, and the diverse
gifts of many people are recognized.
In a system, people are broken into parts and separated into groups,
In community, people have the chance to be accepted as whole persons, and
viewed as part of the whole society.
In a system, problems are solved by consulting authorities, policies,
procedures,
In community, people seek answers from their own experience and the wisdom of
others.
In a system, there is no room to acknowledge mistakes and uncertainty;
information is communicated in professional jargon that distances individuals
from their actions.
In community, people can make honest efforts and acknowledge honest mistakes
and fears.
In a system all problems have a rational solution,
In community, there is room for confusion, and mystery, and recognition that
some things are beyond human control.
|
The work of GNN is global in its reach, cutting across all borders and
cultures. The focus of the Network is the health and well-being of society. As
a "network", it will facilitate both local and virtual gatherings for
like-minded professionals seeking ways to enhance the scope, meaning and
purpose of their work. Further, the web-based matrix will encourage and host
self-organizing communities of practice to explore, share and co-create new
knowledge and understanding within the discipline.
