Fast Company. September, 1999 "Merger She Wrote." By Cheryl Dahle pp. 310-319

Change can cause very interesting reactions in a short amount of time. Talk about an impending change can cause the start of rumors, while deadlines for upcoming change can cause fear. After the change occurs, the stories of "remember when" can be heard more often.

Change is really quite healthy as you look at it from a removed viewpoint, although it's not always viewed as healthy when you are the one experiencing it or even facing it in the near future. Change often makes people pay close attention to the workings of a business or organization because they want to know what is going to be different.

I personally haven't experienced a merger, so I can't speak to the changes that must occur and the feelings that go along with it. I do live in a school district that recently consolidated and I've witnessed many things from an observers standpoint. I have no direct ties to the school district as I don't teach there and I don't have any children, so I didn't feel the direct changes as did others who were moved to other buildings or had children who were now riding the bus for more hours a day. I was able to observe how this merger affected the community. I heard many rumors of impending cuts and closing buildings, which were fueled on a daily basis. I watched people who had been friends for years have disagreements over taxes and what would happen to their community because of the consolidation. It was a challenge for me to watch all this happen, but emotions and history were involved, which causes people to react in interesting ways.

Reading this article made me realize how people deal with situations like this. Because I've never experienced a merger, I don't know how I would react. I find myself realizing what kinds of options are available in this situation. Running might not be the only option, although previous to this article, it's the one I heard most frequently. Giving the process some time and listening and asking questions is also very important. You could learn from that process, while learning how the merger will affect everyone. Paying attention and being observant often has payoffs, such as knowing the process and timelines which lie ahead. I also learned of the option that David Campbell of BBN chose, to give yourself some time in the new business or organization and see how it goes. Often you could find rewards, benefits or a smoother system by trying it out to see how the changes really go. Not all changes are bad and benefits can make a big difference in your happiness at work and in life. I sometimes wonder about the future of Extension and how those changes will be approached. Will the federal government cease to fund Extension or will county budgets have no room left after all the mandates are made for Human Services or the Sheriff's Department? How would I react to the news? Would I see it as an opportunity to pursue my love of teaching or would I stick around and probably do the work differently? Will Extension make so many changes, such as fees for service or regional offices, that I won't want to stay? Change is hard to think about and even harder to predict, as you never know when it will come or how.

As I watched the two school districts merge, they did face some struggles, but success was also experienced. A challenge came in the form of many students who open-enrolled to other school districts for a variety of reasons - friends, sports or programs offered. The new consolidated district was also surprised at the number of students who enrolled out, but was equally surprised at the number of students who chose to attend the new district. Sometimes opportunity provides a surprise ending. A success for the new school district was the sports program, which enjoyed immediate victories. Two state championship bound teams helped the community to forget some of the struggles as they enjoyed seeing how the students came together and worked well together on the athletic field.

Two years into the consolidation, there are still challenges and successes. The challenges relate to the number of students, or declining numbers. With more deaths than births occurring in the county, that will continue to be an issue. Budgets also create a challenge and may continue to cause changes, but money has a way of impacting and determining the future. The athletic teams continue to do well and students continue to open enroll into the district, causing the community to be accepting of the changes that have occurred.

Change can have many different effects on people, but attitude ultimately makes a difference on the long term impact. Looking at change as an opportunity can be positive, while see change as doom and gloom can be so negative as to even affect your health. Realizing both the risks and benefits of change, whether as a merger or a personal change, can affect the whole outlook. Change is inevitable - it's going to happen - whether we are ready for it or not. It's a matter of perspective as to how it will all turn out!

-- Anonymous, September 20, 1999