| All organizations deal in some way or the other | | | | endangered sea otters, and home to bald eagles, |
| with change. A government is to follow the | | | | peregrine falcons and other wildlife. Even though |
| changes that take place in the world and that | | | | their old boat, the Phyllis Cormack, was |
| affect its citizens. A company also follows most | | | | intercepted before it got to Amchitka, the |
| of the time changes in the same way by | | | | journey sparked a flurry of public interest. The US |
| canalizing the effects of different causes. A third | | | | still detonated the bomb, but the voice of reason |
| category of companies (institutions) however deal | | | | had been heard. Nuclear testing on Amchitka |
| with change in a different way; they are more in | | | | ended that same year, and the island was later |
| the lead of change. They could be pictured as | | | | declared a bird sanctuary. ( |
| change leaders; empowering others to move into | | | | The spirit of the time we live in are quite different |
| a new direction. | | | | than those in the seventies and much of these |
| Sometimes things just happen...Unless there is | | | | alterations have influenced this organization. Yet |
| someone who interferes -- the intervention as it | | | | another change is the growth of the institution |
| is called in change management terminology -- | | | | itself. |
| with development that might need some (serious) | | | | Today, Greenpeace is an international organization |
| attention. Awareness to start with. Recently | | | | that prioritizes global environmental campaigns. |
| Greenpeace signaled the massive constructional | | | | Based in Amsterdam, the Netherlands, |
| development on the Spanish coasts. | | | | Greenpeace has 2.8 million supporters worldwide, |
| All of us who deal with change can learn from | | | | and national as well as regional offices in 41 |
| organization like Greenpeace that are to deal with | | | | countries. |
| resistance all the time. | | | | And this is common practice for nearly most of |
| The style of Greenpeace is influenced by | | | | the organizations; when they grow their style will |
| thoughts of Margaret Mead: | | | | change. If we remember Greenpeace in the |
| - "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, | | | | beginning its style was predominant "against" and |
| committed citizens can change the world. Indeed, | | | | confrontational leading to an increase of resistance |
| it is the only thing that ever has." | | | | that did undermine its guest for change. |
| Greenpeace itself has also dealt with change over | | | | Today -- where the organization has its own |
| the years. Those who have followed this | | | | research institution and presence in 41 countries, it |
| organization will remember that. | | | | has moved into the direction of helping and |
| In 1971, motivated by their vision of a green and | | | | supporting; this is less innovative than in the |
| peaceful world, a small team of activists set sail | | | | seventies but much more effective. |
| from Vancouver, Canada, in an old fishing boat. | | | | Change is about dealing with resistance. And if you |
| These activists, the founders of Greenpeace, | | | | really want a credible change you should stay |
| believed a few individuals could make a difference. | | | | approximate to the majority that you want to |
| Their mission was to "bear witness" to US | | | | affect and influence. This can only be done by |
| underground nuclear testing at Amchitka, a tiny | | | | lowering the walls and barriers between your |
| island off the West Coast of Alaska, which is one | | | | team or organization and the ones you want to |
| of the world's most earthquake-prone regions. | | | | influence. In such a way that your thoughts can |
| Amchitka was the last refuge for 3000 | | | | be accepted or at least be negotiated. |