Local Begins Establishing International Organization

by Arlene Shovald special to The Mountain Mail

Getting two or more groups, sometimes with opposing views, to work together may sound like a formidable project, but that is  exactly what Brock Oyler, president and executive director of The Convergence Project,  plans to accomplish. The Convergence Project is an international non-profit, community based organization that brings dissimilar groups together to identify and complete common ground projects to benefit their community. Currently Oyler is doing the preliminary work on becoming a 501 (c) 3 non profit status.

"I'm starting out with a supporting pledge of $1000 from an anonymous educator who shares my enthusiasm for the project," Oyler said. "This person is hoping her contribution will be matched by others in the community and if matched she will pledge another $2,000."

The Convergence Project was inspired when Oyler noticed how increasingly polarized and divided community groups often are. Individuals and groups often find themselves spending more time working "against" something than "for" a goal. Compromise is hard to achieve, if not impossible.

The Convergence Project strives to find a common ground among groups without compromising or giving up any of either groups beliefs while at the same time achieving more of the goals of both groups and helping the community.

"For example," he says, "a "green" organization that focuses on sustainability might link with a group of ATV enthusiasts to find a common ground project such as maintaining or building a wilderness trail. Both group's goals are furthered and neither compromises anything. They simply get to know and understand each other."

The Convergence Project is based on "task linking" when a common ground project is identified and brought to completion. Both groups become stronger than if they worked alone.

Oyler has a M.A. degree in Organizational Communication from Purdue University with a background in training, development and conflict management and is providing his services as a facilitator, meeting with groups interested in participating in this new concept of community involvement.

"Finding common ground involves an easy-to-follow series of steps known as the Converged Path," he said. "This process if facilitated by Path Guides trained by The Convergence Project. During this experience, each group is enabled to find a common ground vision with another groups without anyone compromising their beliefs or values. Part of the process involves Path Guides facilitating each group to identify its beliefs, fears and hopes in a non-judgmental way."

Anyone interested in The Convergence Project or groups interested in project are encouraged to call Oyler at 539-4518 for more information and to check out the website at www.TheConvergenceProject.org.