Chapter Seven

 Chapter seven is called Sustaining the Momentum. A quote that stuck out from this chapter is, "What if you work and prepare, but nobody shows up for your network? Or worse, people show up, look around, decide it isn't worth their time, and leave!" This is a legitimate feeling that people have when creating a learning network. It is a fear that all the work you put in will be for nothing. But a lot of good things come from someone taking that chance. Putting in the work and taking care of your creation is vital to its growth. A learning network takes care and time to grow, like a garden.

In appreciative inquiry members work from a what if? and strengths perspective rather than focusing on what needs help. Within appreciative inquiry, there are some assumptions and principals. The assumptions include but are not limited to: recognizing differences is of value, what you focus on becomes your reality, and language creates reality. The principals include: what we concentrate on develops into our reality, appreciative inquiry is positive and supportive, change and inquiry are simultaneous, embracing the power of stories changes members thoughts, and how we behave and think is affected by how we anticipate the future. This is such an important area to look at when it comes to the growth of learning networks. 

As a social worker this is an important thing to remember. Growth is always important as a social worker. There is never enough learning or growth. There are always more resources and more to gather in order to better the network as a whole. It is important to concentrate on ones strengths and build off of that. When working with a client, it is better to start with what one has and then build off of it. Helping to encourage improvements and positive and meaningful growth. The goal is to help others to continue to grow, better themselves, and reach their goals in life.