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The presentation, given by Rev. Michael Dowd, is based on his recently published book, “THANK GOD FOR EVOLUTION: How the Marriage of Science and Religion Will Transform Your Life and Our World”, which has been ENDORSED BY 5 NOBEL LAUREATES and other renowned scientists (including humanists and atheists), as well as by religious leaders across the spectrum, from Catholics and Quakers, to Baptists, to Buddhists.

PROGRAM DESCRIPTION: From crumbling economies to collapsing ecosystems, humanity is experiencing an unprecedented global integrity crisis. In a richly illustrated presentation, Michael Dowd proposes that the lack of an evolutionary worldview made the current crisis inevitable and that a deep-time view of human nature, values, and social systems provides a clear and inspiring way forward.

Wednesday will be our annual Integral / Spiral Dynamics Holiday dinner. And according to tradition try to bring along something to eat with an Integral and/or Spiral Dynamics theme. We will meet 6:30 at the Jewish Family Service center as usual.

Hallowe'en Special

Who knows what Evil lurks in the Heart of Man?

Join Gary and Jeff on Wednesday November 5th as they explore the subject of Evil from all angles (not angels): Pathworks, phenomenology of myth, integral philosophy, existential theology, and, of course, their own unique personal perspectives.

On the night of 17 September, beginning at 5:30 in the evening, at the Peace Hall of the Dayton International Peace Museum, I am giving a presentation to a group called the Mountain Top Gathering. The presentation is entitled: Continuing the Dream: A Fair and Equal Educational Experience for Every Child. Due to the early start, there will be light fare available. I plan to start the actual presentation at 6:00 p.m.

I would like to invite everyone to attend this presentation as an alternative. I'm extending this invitation because I believe the concept I will be discussing is a practical application of integral.

The concept itself is to move public education, from the current district model, to a regional model. The model transcends, but includes. In addition, I will also be discussing the need to transcend the "I", "Me", "My" and "Mine" viewpoint that is represented by the district model in order to adopt the "We", "Us", "Our" and "Ours" viewpoint that is represented by the regional model. Some of you will recognize this language as being consistent with the theory of ethics I am developing, but will also recognize this language is also integral. Adopting the higher level view requires that we be able to transcend Self in favor of the collective whole and the greater good of the collective whole. From my perspective, that is integral.

I understand this is a bit off the normal for the meet-up group. I am offering it only as a possibility. I do, however, believe it may also dovetail nicely with the upcoming discussion of integral politics. I understand the time and location may make it very difficult for the Cincinnati/Northern Kentucky folks to attend. The time and date are consistent with the previously scheduled meetings of the Mountain Top Gathering.

Topic: A Next Step in the Evolution of Human Organizations

Led by: Linda Marshall

We will begin our evening listening to an interview (if technology works for us) with Brian Robertson, one of the founders of a software company (Ternery Software) who didn't want to do things the way they've always been done. Through trial and error and with the help of theories such as Integral via Ken Wilber, Sociocracy, and Requisite organizations, Ternery has developed a 'practice' as a way to structure themselves and work together. It is interesting that their practice is similar to Quaker?s 'Sense of the Meeting' that Jeff introduced to us in our last session. There is a great 33 page introduction to Holacracy at http://www.holacracy.org/downloads/HolacracyIntro2007-06.pdf. Linda has distilled the information into 6 pages for the discussion we have after listening to the interview. Their practices are innovative, fascinating, inspiring, and hopeful for a different kind of world.

Five years after its launch, Ternary had grown organically to over $2 million in annual revenues, ranking it as one of the 50 fastest growing privately-held companies in the Philadelphia region for the past several years. The company had won awards for its high growth, its sustainable environmental practices, and for being among the fifteen best places to work in the region. In 2007 it was awarded the International Spirit at Work award. Behind the scenes, Ternary's unique organizational design, governance structure, and business practices have forged new ground and tested new possibilities in the fields of human organization and culture.