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A Vision for CAMFT

Dive in! The Water is Fine!

This site is an opportunity for CAMFT members to brainstorm on a certain number of proposals to change the way we communicate across the organization. 

Click through the links on the right under Ideas to Ponder. And share your ideas with your peers! 

Why this Web site?

In the last few years CAMFT has been through two very different situations with a similar dynamic.

In both the Sexual Orientation Change Therapy debate and now the recent bylaws debate a sizeable group of members expressed strong discontent with a board policy. 

In both these situations - the various parties involved seemed to lack clearly identified forums or pathways to engage in a dialog. It seems that when the channels were laid out - in general there was a lack of what might be called a real culture of debate and a difficulty coming to real policy after the debate. 

The board and staff seemed to struggle with finding out what a majority of members think and feel - the unhappy parties got the impression of not being taken seriously.

In my experience in giant non profits this is not unusual. 

Unlike a neighborhood soccer club or garden improvement club we can not all sit down in one room and share our common concerns and how we would like to work together. 

Large non profits that don't just deliver a service in exchange for a fee often work hard to find creative tools to encourage multi-lateral communication and member participation in the decision making.

Behind the Ideas to Ponder links to the right you will find a series of proposals that may or may not tickle your fancy. Please take time to share your comments.

Some ground rules

1 - This isn't about attacking - this is about brainstorming new ideas.

If you begin to attack someone - I will take down your comment. Think of the 12 step notion of "No cross talk" - it means you can express your opinions on a given topic but you needn't do it vis a vis the opinion of someone else.

2 - If you feel comfortable doing so - please sign your comment with your name and geographic location - it will help us see who we are, what we believe, it will help you feel heard and witnessed.

Please share this with your colleagues if you're so inclined.