I wrote a while ago about “The Tipping Point” in a blog post. The point at which a project, or idea, gains a life of it’s own and doesn’t need a lot of effort from the instigator to continue gaining momentum.

The outcome of the project that started this blog was “Every Third Tuesday” – the possibility that invited colleagues will, on occasion that they are asked to, go to a space off-site to reflect together on issues that are current. These may have been raised from a big poster in the staff room, or something else.

We agreed a date for our reflective sessions. In fact, the reason the name “Every Third Tuesday” was used was because we chose a date and then named the sessions after the date (which was the third Tuesday in the month).

I sat back because I was genuinely curious as to whether any tipping point has been reached.

It hasn’t.

I think all the participants are enthusiastic if it’s arranged for them, but none have asked me, or anyone else (to my knowledge) if they’re going to take place. That means that they’re all busy enough doing things they see as more valuable than chasing up the Every Third Tuesday sessions. It also means that I’m going to have to motivate the participants to participate – that shouldn’t be too hard if we make it a very exciting experience. I guess I’m a little demotivated by the fact that three of the participants of the project are leaving (or taking a break from) our school this academic year (none for reasons to do with the project, and not for reasons to do with the school either), but that necessitates me being more of a leader than I am being.

So I will be. Every Third Tuesday will happen in July. I’ll get onto it (with the help of at least one colleague).

I’m also hoping that it will be re-energised by our application to become a Creative Partnerships Change School – though obviously that’s a competitive bidding process.