Flocks, Families, and Organizations: Emerging Applications from Bowen Theory and Science
April 21-22, 2017
Spring Conference Overview
The 2017 Spring Conference is an exchange of ideas that has the potential to shift the way one thinks about relationships at work: group behavior, leadership, and decision making. It features Bowen family systems theory and the research of our guest lecturer, Dr. Iain Couzin. This learning exchange will expand the view of the continuous dance between individual and group interaction, the impact of anxiety on the group and the difference one person can make in a complex system. Applications of this theoretical perspective include the capacity to increase organizational and leadership effectiveness for consulting firms, profit and nonprofit organizations, family enterprises, and faith communities.
Bowen theory describes the predictable processes that underpin human relationship systems, how a related group operates as an emotional unit and how group functioning influences the behavior of the individual. Dr. Couzin, Director, Max Planck Institute for Ornithology, Chair of Biodiversity and Collective Behaviour, University of Konstanz, Visiting Senior Research Scholar, Princeton University, researches individuals as part of a group, from cellular structures to insect swarms, fish schools, bird flocks, animal herds, and human groups. He is a scientist who contributes to the Harvard Business Review and believes in the value of multidisciplinary dialogue for learning.
This conference is a unique opportunity to think deeply about your work. It will not provide quick fixes but rather new ways to think about persistent challenges. It promises to engage your thinking by encouraging you to integrate what you know with new concepts from scientific research. Please join us to think about the social organization of work.
About the Conference
The Spring Conference focuses on a single concept related to Bowen theory. Guest scientists, researchers, and leaders in the study of family systems offer presentations related to the topic during this two-day conference. There is ample time for questions and discussion with the audience.
Each year at the Spring Conference, the Caskie Research Fund Award is given to support an important research effort in Bowen theory.
Media Offerings
Our previous conference, The Impact of Death and Dying: Perspectives from Evolution, Resilience, and Family Systems, was held on April 15-16, 2016. DVD Sets and MP3 audio CDs are available for this and previous Spring Conferences on our online store.
More Info
For further information, please email The Bowen Center.
Schedule
Follow the discussion on #BowenCenterSC17!
FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017
8:15
Registration
8:45
Welcome and Introduction
Anne S. McKnight, MSW, EdD
Morning Moderator: Mariana Martinez, PsyD
Another Way of Thinking: A Dialogue Part 1
8:55
9:40
Coffee Break
Organization Effectiveness and Differentiation
10:00
Leading in a Storm: Managing Change in a Child Welfare System
Walter H. Smith Jr., PhD
10:20
My Attempt at Applying Bowen Systems Theory to My Business Organization
Cheryl Blair
10:40
What I Learned in Twenty-Plus Years of Coaching and Teaching Leadership
Roberta Gilbert, MD
11:00
Panel Discussion
Nordahl Brue, JD, Iain Couzin, PhD, Patricia Sheridan, Marie Simonsson, and Erik Thompson, MA
12:30
Lunch Break
Optional: Participation in small groups lead by a facilitator on the integration of the ideas. Facilitated Lunches will be held in the building next door. Please see a volunteer for assistance.
Afternoon Moderator: Stanley Proffitt
Keynote Speaker
1:45
Presentation and Discussion by Iain Couzin, PhD
3:00
Break
Family Enterprise and Differentiation
3:15
With Individuals, the Generations, the Organization and Other Helpers: The Discipline of Differentiation of Self Consulting to Family Enterprise
Priscilla J. Friesen, MSW
3:45
How Bowen Theory was a Resource for a Third Generation Family Business to Survive and Thrive in the Fourth
Anne S. McKnight, MSW, EdD
4:15
Panel Discussion
Iain Couzin, PhD, John Engels, Thomas Merkel, and Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSSW
5:20
Summary and Questions for Saturday
5:30
Adjournment and Reception
SATURDAY, APRIL 22, 2017
Morning Moderator: Margaret Donley, MSW
9:00
Welcome and Review
Another Way of Thinking: A Dialogue Part II
9:10
Iain Couzin, PhD, Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSSW, and Kathleen K. Wiseman, MBA
9:55
Coffee Break
Leadership in Collectives and Differentiation
10:15
Presentation and Discussion by Iain Couzin, PhD
11:15
Panel Discussion
Iain Couzin, PhD, Robert J. Noone, PhD, Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSSW, and Kent E. Webb, MSW
12:00
Lunch Break
Optional: Participation in small groups lead by a facilitator on the integration of the ideas. Facilitated Lunches will be held in the building next door. Please see a volunteer for assistance.
1:15
Afternoon Moderator: Erik Thompson, MA
Leadership with Differentiation in Mind
1:30
Lions and Tigers and Mergers! Oh My!
Emlyn Ott, DMin
1:55
My Long and Continuing Quest for Emotional Maturity
John H. Cammack
2:20
Chutes and Ladders
Thomas Merkel
2:45
Break
3:00
Panel Discussion
Iain Couzin, PhD, John Engels, Daniel V. Papero, PhD, MSSW, Amie Post, MA, Phillip Weiss, and Kathleen K. Wiseman, MBA
4:00
Audience Participation
4:30
Adjournment
Location
Johns Hopkins University – Montgomery County Campus
Gilchrist Hall – Auditorium
9601 Medical Center Drive
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Directions
For information on getting to Johns Hopkins University – Montgomery County Campus, please visit their Directions & Parking page, which include directions for driving and public transportation.
Complimentary Hotel Shuttle
A shuttle will be provided to and from the conference location to the hotel. Please contact the hotel concierge at 240-507-1800 for more information.
Campus Walking Directions
There are three buildings on campus – two of them have the street address 9601 Medical Center Drive. The Spring Conference will be held in Gilchrist Hall, the middle building with the circular driveway. A downloadable Campus Map is available below.
April Clinical Conference Location
The April Clinical Conference will be held at the 9605 Building in Room 121. Please note that this meeting will be held in a different building from the Spring Conference. If you are facing the front of the buildings, the 9605 Building is located on the right. If you are facing the back of buildings (in the back parking lot), it will be on the left. There will be a side entrance located on the Campus Map where you will enter.
Free Visitor Parking
Visitor parking is free and available without a permit. Parking is located in the back of the three campus buildings. Attendees may park in spaces marked “JHU Only” or in any undesignated spaces on campus.
Notice: The Bowen Center has leased or rented facilities from the Johns Hopkins University. However, The Bowen Center and any programs operated by it are not related to or affiliated with the Johns Hopkins University in any way. The Bowen Center is an entirely separate legal entity with no connection to the Johns Hopkins University aside from the temporary use of facility for the specified programs.
More Info
For further information, please email The Bowen Center.
Accommodations
Hilton Garden Inn Rockville-Gaithersburg
14975 Shady Grove Road
Rockville, Maryland 20850
Concierge: (240) 507-1800
Driving and Transportation Options
- Please visit The Hilton Garden Inn’s directions page for driving directions and available transportation options.
Hotel Parking
Parking is free in the hotel lot.
Complimentary Hotel Shuttle
A shuttle will be provided to and from the conference location to the hotel. Please contact the hotel concierge at 240-507-1800 for more information.
Shuttle service is also provided to and from the Shady Grove Metro stop.
Reservations
The cut-off date for reservations has expired. Rooms may still be available. Please contact the hotel for details.
More Info
For further information, please email The Bowen Center.
Continuing Education Credits
The Georgetown Family Center is approved as a(n):
- Continuing Coach Education (CCE) Provider by the International Coach Federation (ICF).
- Independent provider of continuing education credit by the Maryland State Board of Social Work Examiners, the District of Columbia Board of Social Work, and the National Board of Certified Counselors.
- Approved provider of continuing education by the New York State Education Department’s State Board for Social Work for licensed social workers #SW-0419.
- NBCC-Approved Continuing Education Provider (ACEP #6225) and may offer NBCC-approved clock hours for events that meet NBCC requirements. The ACEP solely is responsible for all aspects of the program.
The conference offers a maximum of 12 CCEUs (5.5 Core Competencies and 6.5 Resource Development*) and 12 hours of Category I continuing education credit for social workers and for counselors.
*Resource Development includes training formerly called Personal Development, Business Development, or Other Skills and Tools.
Return policy: Friday, April 7, 2017 is the last day to receive a refund for the Spring Conference registration. Please note that refunds will be given minus a $75 administrative fee.
If you plan to participate in the CEU/CCE process, it is necessary to:
- Pay the CEU/CCE fee of $30
- Sign CEU/CCE registration form each day of conference
- Prepare to stay for the entire conference
- Submit a completed evaluation at the end of the conference
Register Online
At-door registration for the Spring Conference will begin at 8:15am. To expedite the registration process, please fill out and bring the Printable Registration Form to the At-Door Registration table.