Tag Archives: Mike Zonta

Op-Ed: A Modest Proposal for a More Group-Centered Prosperos

(Image from warblerpress.com)

By Mike Zonta, BB editor

Rotating Deans

One clear way to lessen our leadership-centered leadership model is to rotate the Deanship of the school on a yearly basis among the three elected members of the Executive Council. Too often we confuse the person with the role. Rotating the Deanship will lessen that expectation on the part of the student body and on the part of the Dean him- or herself.

Give Robert the Boot

This is a quote from The Prosperos publication called ““Group Leadership and the Art of Leadership”

“Efficiency of operation requires that there be agreed-upon rules of operation.  The standard method of solving this problem, that of parliamentary procedures [Robert’s Rules], is seldom satisfactory in group-centered groups.  It tends to introduce an element of stiffness that destroys the climate of warm informality.  It disrupts group unity.  In general, no decision is completely satisfactory unless it has been reached by consensus.  If for some reason it becomes necessary take a vote, it should be done with the greatest respect to the position of the minority.”

The trustees, the High Watch and the Mentor’s Association should drop Robert’s Rules immediately. Let’s trust each other enough to be able to run these meetings without Robert or his rules.

Group Observers

Most of our trustee, High Watch and Mentor’s Association meetings open with an invocation. As a reminder of our efforts to be more group-centered, we should close each meeting with an observer’s report. We have lots of practice doing this in our Find Yourself and Live listening and dialogue groups. So let’s put that training to good use.

If any of these ideas go against The Prosperos charter or by-laws, it’s within our power to change that charter or those by-laws.

The Second Ever Congressional Candidate Empathy Dialogue

“Mike Zonta, a citizen from District 11, invited all candidates and Nancy Pelosi to participate.  2 candidates accepted this bold and courageous invitation: Shahid Buttar and Bianca Krieg.”

Talk-It-Out Radio

June 5, 2022(KPFA.org)

Listen to show: https://kpfa.org/player/?audio=380437

Timothy Regan hosts and facilitates the second congressional candidate empathy circle ever, for our US House of Representatives, CA District 11, San Francisco, currently represented by Nancy Pelosi.

Mike Zonta, a citizen from District 11, invited all candidates and Nancy Pelosi to participate.  2 candidates accepted this bold and courageous invitation: Shahid Buttar and Bianca Krieg.

Shahid and Bianca sit down together and talk and listen to eachother with respect, civility, honesty, and depth, in a simple process of speaking and listening directly to eachother called an empathy circle.

These candidates met on May 22 , 2022 by Zoom for this unique dialogue, to answer one question: “Why should people vote for you?” and to speak to what is on their minds and hearts.

Check out this conversation – it’s inspiring!  This is what is possible in politics these days! If you are caught by the dangerous illusion that people can’t talk anymore with respect and collaboration – listen up!  This is what’s possible: listening, and being heard, and honest and civil dialogue between competing election candidates! This is a kind of leadership that is inclusive, collaborative, and actually interesting – because respectful dialogue brings the best out of all of us – and we need our best these days.

Candidate Participants:

Shahid Buttar (D) – Challenger
https://shahidforchange.us/
info@shahidforchange.us

Bianca Von Krieg (D) – Challenger
https://www.facebook.com/TheBaronessForCongress/
bianca.for.sanfrancisco@gmail.com

(Contributed by Mike Zonta, H.W., M.)

Prosperos Sunday Meeting August 9



presents…

SUNDAY MEETING — AUGUST 9


Mike Zonta, H.W., M.

speaks on…

“Group Dynamics OR Group-Centered Leadership: They’re not the same thing.”  

Come join Mike in exploring the ideas of Edwin Rutsch, who created Empathy Circles; the Knights of the Round Table; Kurt Lewin, who coined the term “group dynamics”; the “leaderless” efforts of Occupy Wall Street; and the teachings of Thane as they pertain to Group-Centered leadership.

Find out how we can all become group-centered leaders in every aspect of our lives.

During the AIDS crisis, Mike Zonta founded the Metaphysical Alliance which sponsored “AIDS Survivors and Thrivers” forums. He is also co-founder and editor of the daily online newsletter called the Bathtub Bulletin, named after Archimedes “Eureka” moment while bathing.

For further information, click here:
https://www.theprosperos.org/prosperos-events/translation-truth-and-dare

SUNDAY MEETING —  August 9, 2026
11:00 am Pacific / Noon Mountain /
1:00 pm Central / 2:00 pm Eastern


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