AIC extends an Invitation to Grow, Be Supported by and Support Other AI Practitioners Around the World.

1. An Invitation From Joan Colleran Hoxsey D.Min., MSed. AIC Managing Partner

3. In the early 1990’s while Jane Magruder Watkins was chairing the Board of NTL Institute, David Cooperrider John Carter, Cathy Royal and Jane trained a group of fellow NTL members to use AI for a diversity study under the guidance of Cathy Royal. By 1994, NTL was offering workshops in AI primarily for OD practitioners – the business that NTL is in.

5. The 1990’s By the mid-1990’s, many of the founders and others, who were beginning to use AI nearly totally in their practice, began to talk about creating some sort of association (perhaps a learning circle, or a way to share work, or even simply a membership organization). David and Jane often spoke about the need for gathering to share and better understand the phenomena of AI sweeping the globe.

6. And so . . . . Came into being. In 1999, a group of 22 dedicated AI practitioners came together with a vision of creating a global consultancy entirely dedicated to using appreciative, strength-based approaches to organizational change. We met four times a year for three years talking about purpose and principles, and ultimately creating a charter for a totally unique, networked Appreciative Inquiry Consultancy.

7. “ Founder’s Alliance.” Frank Barrett, US/California; Steve Cato, US/Washington; David Chandler, US/Colorado; David Cooperrider, US/Ohio; Joep de Jong, Netherlands; Marsha George, UK and US/Vermont; Mette Jacobsgaard, Denmark and UK; Jacqueline Kelm, US/Ohio; Ralph Kelly, US/Virginia; Jim Lord, US/Ohio; Jim Leudema, US/Illinois; Ada Jo Mann, US/DC and Ethiopia; Adrian McLean, UK and US/Vermont; Bernard Mohr, US/Maine and a Canadian citizen; Ravi Pradhan, Nepal and US; Anne Radford, UK; Diane Robbins, US/Washington; Judy Rodgers, US/Massachusetts; Marge Schiller, US/Massachusetts; Barbara Sloan, US/Virginia; Jane Magruder Watkins, US/Virginia; Diana Whitney, US/New Mexico. The Founders