January 2008 David Grove: A Great Man
For many people in the Clean Community this month has been dominated by the death of David Grove, originator of Clean Language, Clean Space and Emergent Knowledge, who died suddenly on 8 January in Kansas City, USA. His body was flown back to his homeland in New Zealand for a traditional Maori ceremony.
A fund has been set up to help the family to meet the considerable costs of repatriating David’s body from the US to New Zealand. Any money remaining after these costs have been met will be used to set up a lasting memorial to David: perhaps a website. At the time of writing approximately 15,000 New Zealand Dollars (£5900 or USD 11,700) has been raised. If you would like to make a contribution, please go to www.davidgrove.org. Judy Rees and Wendy Sullivan
In this issue:
David Grove: A Great Man
Success story: Dogs in the playground jungle
Clean Conference: call for presenters
Win £1000+ of Clean training
Summer School
What’s Clean like for you?
David Grove: A Great Man
James Lawley was one of many friends who spoke movingly about David at the funeral service on 21 January. He said:
“Was David Grove a Great Man?
“If greatness is determined by the number of stories told about you, then David Grove, you were a great man.
“If greatness is determined by creativity and inventiveness, then David Grove, you were a great man.
“If greatness is determined by the number of people whose lives are touched and in whose memories you reside, then David Grove, you were a great man.
“If greatness is determined by generosity of spirit and the amount of knowledge given away, then David Grove, you were a great man.
“If greatness is determined by compassion for the pain and suffering the human spirit can endure, then David Grove, you were a great man.
“If greatness is determined by one’s optimism and expectation that people can heal and transform their lives, then David Grove, you were a great man.
“And, if greatness is determined by taking the path never travelled before with courage and dignity knowing there is a price to pay to yourself and to your loved ones, then David Grove, you were truly a great man.”
For further tributes and a fuller report of the funeral, please click www.cleanforum.com/forums/forumdisplay.php?f=80
David in a pinny
The photograph of David which accompanied our e-mailed announcement of his death triggered
memories of his mischievous approach to therapy for workshop host Carol Wilson. For some reason, he wore her green-checked kitchen apron for the entire day’s training. In the original picture, used in this newsletter, he beams at Carol as dazed client Polly McDonald was dismounting from his ‘whirly gig’ in the garden of her home. Carol joked: “I think I was wondering about my third party liability insurance as I took the picture!”
Success story
Independent learning consultant Pamela Hadfield has been using Clean with violent and aggressive teenagers who were in danger of being excluded from school in Derby. One boy had a metaphor of a pack of dogs protecting him – with her help he was able to bring them, and his own temper, under control.
Clean Conference 21 – 22 June 2008
David Grove had been intending to speak at the Clean Conference in Euston, London in June, and his loss will mean changes to the plans. Called “Magnetic metaphors and creative conversations”, the event is envisaged as a showcase for the Clean Community’s many skills and talents. Booking for the conference is expected to open in March.
We are looking for experienced Clean facilitators who would like to lead a conference session of around 90 mins in length. If you would like to submit a proposal, email for details of how to do so. The closing date for proposals is 12 February.
Win £1000+ worth of training
Ready to take the plunge and learn Clean Language? Clean Change Company’s next open
training takes place in London from 1 – 7 March (Modules 1 – 3) and 23 – 25 April (Module 4). Full details are http://www.cleanchange.co.uk/store/courses-c-5.html
WIN YOUR TRAINING: Fancy joining us f’ree of charge? You can win a place on Modules 1-
3, worth over £1000, simply by leaving your details here. But hurry – the closing date is this Saturday, 2 February.
International Summer School
For those who prefer their training even more intensive, we offer a 14-day residential Summer School in historic Cambridge, UK. We have already received bookings from several countries and continents for this year’s event, 16 – 29 August. http://www.cleanchange.co.uk/store/courses-c-5.html
As well as the standard Module 1 – 4 programme and Foundation-level Certification, the Summer School includes optional evening events, and two ‘rest’ days for practice. Click this link for a report of last year’s Summer School.
What’s Clean like for you?
Philip Harland had several suggestions for what Clean was like in response to our December newsletter. For him, Clean is like:
- A level playing field.
- An open present.
- A key to the treasure chest of the unconscious.
- A path through the woods of confusion.
Who has something different from these? Please email us.
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