For Immediate Release

Friday, September 22, 1995

Contact: Shari Soza, Chronicler & Scribe
soza@snowcrest.net
Yreka, California

The Systems Theory Groups at the Process Technology Synergy Center, Wednesday night adopted, by consensus, a statement of intention, or "mission statement" that best describes how we each "see" the purpose of the group and of the Center.

Some of the hallmarks of the "systems theory" class process are team-building, developing a learning organization ( to better adapt to rapidly-advancing computer technology ), personal mastery, mental models, shared vision, whole-systems view thinking, and group dialogue, with each one listening for the higher meaning, and each participant developing to his or her full potential. The excitement of the students and the director is a product of not only the subject matter of the courses, but of the teaching/learning methods being used.

Learning by teaching is one difference from the standard, everyday style of teaching. Students are also encouraged to use both sides of their brain, in a more wholistic fashion, joining the logical and the intuitive modes of thinking, in developing more creative ideas and for problem-solving.

This is the latest thing in modern business management practices, rapidly becoming a mainstream phenomena. One reason for the open-mindedness of American businesses is the realization that our predominantly-LeftBrained logical thinking modes have lost us the economic battles in the global economy. The winners have been the countries where thinking with both sides of the brain is encouraged.

It is the intention of these groups at the Center, to serve as a dynamic learning and teaching organization, following the "learner-controlled instruction" method of the Director, Milan Vodicka. The process will be documented, becoming an organizational learning resource model, to make it easier for other communities to follow in our footsteps later, and also experience this integrating, uplifting and synergizing kind of learning.

Other classes and work projects cover computer technologies, software and hardware, digital electronics, manufacturing process machinery control, and robotics. Mr. Vodicka's ackground includes a MSEE and an MBA, plus over 20 years of work experience in engineering and management.

The students, mostly older and retraining, all bring to the class a wealth of earlier experience, which adds to the richness of the learning experience. Each one is learning not only specific engineering and computer technologies, but also total quality management, marketing, visioning, project management, networking, public speaking, group dialoging and communication skills, teaching skills and documentation skills. The goal of the Director is that this center will be the best center of this kind.

The Center is run on the model of a workplace environment, so that students get actual experience, not all book learning. The students are excited about this opportunity, and so is the teacher. Every day brings new possibilities, nothing stale or stagnant.

As one facet of this evolving process, local entrepreneurs and businesses are invited to submit technology and business management questions to these advisory groups, and to consider the Process Technology Center as like the Research Librarians at the Siskiyou Public Library. Some fees may apply, to cover expenses and related costs. Questions may be submitted to Wayne Brown and Shari Soza, founders of the spinoff Process Technology Advisory Group, c/o soza@snowcrest.net, or thru the Director.

Books and software products documenting the process of developing a learning organization will also be generated to furnish an incoming cashflow to help fund the organization in the future. Voluntary contributions are also welcome.

The textbooks for the class are The Fifth Discipline, The Art & Practice of The Learning Organization , and The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook, Strategies and Tools For Building A Learning Organization , both by Peter Senge. ² The Director, Milan Vodicka, who had realized a similar world-view of his own, prior to finding the Senge books, sees himself more as a coach and team manager, resource provider, and inspirer, read that "motivator". He stresses experiential learning, rather than familiar classroom styles, always professional standards, and learning how to learn.

There is never a dull moment in this class, which serves as one meta-level for the evolving resource center. So, the word "synergy" certainly seems to be applying itself to this self-organizing manifestation. A good time is had by all. This is what learning should be about, the joy of discovery and understanding.

Instead of cramming for tests, we learn now, "in the moment".

PTRELZ1.DOC 09-22-95