[AAACE-NLA] Book Excerpt

[Debbie Yoho]

I came across this excerpt from an intriguing book.  It has much to offer
for those of us who work with volunteers or just generally "chase causes":

 Excerpt from Making Dreams Come True without Money, Might or Miracles 

The excerpt below is from a book written by Ivan Scheier, one of the
forerunners in the field of volunteer management. On the surface, Ivan’s
book may not seem directly connected to volunteer management. Indeed, this
book has relevance for a much wider audience, including volunteers
themselves. Ivan considers dreams: why they so often die and why a few live
and prosper. He further examines how anyone can be both a dreamer or a
“Dream-Catcher” – a person who nurtures the dreamer (such as an inspired
volunteer) toward accomplishing the dream. In the excerpt below, he gives
ideas for Dream-Catchers, and offers a blueprint for how to support rather
than kill off the vision. 

“Dreams Die Because of LACK OF INSPIRATION” 

By Ivan H. Scheier
>From Making Dreams Come True without Money, Might or Miracles

Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.... Confucius 

Often, for the kind of dreams we want to encourage, people who are not
self-confident in the first place must face an essentially dream-unfriendly
culture. When dreams do come true they are often misperceived as miracles.
Contemporary magazines are replete with stories about individuals who
overcame tragedy, serious illness, and emotional upheavals to achieve
anyway. Though seemingly an encouragement for ordinary folks like us to
emulate, these stories convey a paradoxical message—these miracles are
really extraordinary and thus must be beyond the reach of ordinary people. 

The Dream-Catcher's role is to show the reality in the seemingly
miraculous. S/he must take the role models, examples, and words of wisdom
that are everywhere and use them to create a vision-friendly mini-culture
for the dreamer. Some of the possible techniques include: 

Displaying inspiring words. Some people respond to illuminating quotations.
Examples are sprinkled throughout this book just as they covered the walls
at VOLUNTAS. Dreamers should not only be surrounded by such phrases, but
they should be asked to contribute their favorites. Some of the more
creative dreamers might even pen their own. 

Providing examples and role models. Role models and real life examples
prove that dreams need not rely upon miracles to come true. Wherever
possible, Dream-Catchers should offer real-life examples of people who went
after a dream and achieved it. Famous types suffice, but ordinary,
now-living types like Annie Jones just down the road make even better role
models. The Dream-Catcher can offer a true gift when s/he can help the
Dream-Chaser connect with the role model "in person" or at least by
telephone, fax or e-mail. These role models or examples offer the most
inspiration when: 

the Dream-Chaser's vision resembles the role model's area of interest
(though it can be demoralizing if the dreams are identical, and sole
proprietorship is at issue); 

the role models are people who belong to a group with whom the Dream-Chaser
identifies, affiliates and/or admires, in terms of gender, race, ethnic
origin, religion, socio-economic status, disability, age, etc.; or 

the role model or example involves a group that is generally considered
"disabled" or at least not ordinarily supposed to have dreams and achieve
them. 

During my six years at VOLUNTAS, I sensed that a number of our visitors
seemed quite astonished and perhaps even a little scandalized that, in my
71st year, I was still chasing dreams. For some, perhaps those of the older
ones, I believe this led to encouragement, in the sense that "if this old
codger can still dream, why can't I?" Otherwise, whether only a slightly
raised eyebrow, or an explicit inquiry, the sometimes surprised reaction
went like this: "How come at your age you're not resting and 'retired'?" My
response usually offered something like the following: "What's to be
surprised about? At my age, dreams are more than ever needed for
preservation of soul and self-respect. I have more time and fewer
obligations. Barring serious health problems, I've little to lose except my
sanity - which never did much for me anyhow." 

Offering a dream-nurturing environment. The Dream-Catcher can help the
dreamer to find a place…where others, including the Dream-Catcher can
provide encouragement—essentially a mini-culture in which dreaming is not
only permitted, but is positively encouraged and expected as the norm. 

Permission is granted for organizations to reprint this excerpt. Reprints
must provide full acknowledgment of source, as provided: 

“ Excerpted from Making Dreams Come True without Money, Might or Miracles,
by Ivan H. Scheier. Found in the Energize website library at:
http://www.energizeinc.com/art.html.” 


Debbie Yoho
Moderator, NIFL-Health Listserv
Past-president, SC Adult Literacy Educators
Director, Greater Columbia Literacy Council
2728 Devine Street     Columbia, SC  29204
dwyoho at earthlink.net    803-765-2555