> I've just been discussing with a colleague an opportunity to try to bring
> together an industry with its public to increase the quality of dialogue.
> I think this has remarkable potential for impact, but it's a long shot
> (low probability). I solicit thoughts about creating learning organizaiton
> on a very large scale.
When Dr. Richard Knowles, of Dupont, was a Plant Manager
in Belle, WV (making antifreeze), he lead an effort in the
Kanawha Valley for 14 major chemical-processing facilities
to share their knowledge with the community. As Dick said
to me, "We said to the community, 'Here are 29 ways we
could kill you! Let's find ways to work together to make
sure that never happens.'"
Each facility prepared their three worst-case scenarios, and
even put up booths in a shopping mall to inform and solicit
support. It was scary, and nearly never came off because
of all the problems...the local media claimed it would be just
a PR effort...and retracted that position after the public
events.
"Safety Street - Managing Our Risks Together" occured on
June 3, 1994, in Charleston, West Virginia.
Yes, it was risky. But, quoting from a paper Dick has shared
with me, "The process works -- it's as important as the event
itself. Authentic participation in the process builds trust."
And, "Having the critics involved in the process and the dis-
plays also helped to build trust and bring us together."
Finally, "There was no negative impact on the plants or prop-
erty as a results of this work."
You wrote, "Any thoughts?" Just one: DO IT!
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Carol Anne Ogdin "If we fixed a hangnail the way our
Deep Woods Technology, Inc. government fixed the economy, we'd
CAOgdin @ DeepWoods.com slam a car door on it."
--Cullen Hightower