The 'Research' link on the TLS website has a new look thanks to the efforts of John Rhodes, Kay Whipple, and the TLS Research Committee.  Marty Cain was the first chair of the TLS Research Group, followed by Kimberly Saward, Lilian Laishley, and John Rhodes. During John’s tenure, the Research Bibliography project was initiated and completed. This tool has been invaluable since it provided a unique collection of labyrinth research, master's theses, and dissertation abstracts that were easily accessible electronically, and the resource includes other articles that were written which focused on labyrinths. 

After the Bibliography was created, various entries were categorized for ease of location.  John continued to work on this part of the process until fall 2011.  At the encouragement of Kay Whipple at the Taos Gathering, the TLS Research Committee reviewed the categories and bibliography entries and volunteered to update categories for the purpose of making the Research site more user friendly.  Once these updated categories were given to Kay, she graciously spent time linking each entry in the bibliography to a category.  We hope that you will enjoy the ease of finding specific articles related to topics for which you are searching.  Check out the new research bibliography now, or visit the TLS Facebook page to find a post with the new link information.

Diane Rudebock, Ed. D., R.N.Chair,

TLS Research Committee

Associate Professor, University of Central OKEdmond, OK

Have you considered submitting a 2012 Gathering presentation proposal to the new Poster Presentation category? Are you unsure about where to begin? Poster presentations can be effective ways to communicate certain types of research or presentation information. Use this quick guide to help get you started!

When creating posters for presenting research or other information, there are some critical design approaches to keep in mind if you want to create an effective, engaging poster.

• Rule #1: Posters are visual communication tools and therefore, should use visual grammar as the primary mode of presentation. A poster should not be a standard paper or powerpoint presentation stuck to a board. A poster should express your points in graphical terms, using images as the primary way to show your information instead of text.
• Rule #2: When arranging your poster, avoid visual chaos. Try to arrange the poster layout in a way that guides the viewer by using visual logic. Create a clear hierarchical structure that emphasizes the main points of your presentation.
• Rule #3: All elements, even figure legends, should be visible from at least 4 feet away. Make your poster easy to read from a distance so viewers avoid crowding your poster, preventing others from seeing your presentation.
• Rule #4: Display essential content (the messages) in the title, main headings, and graphics. Use graphics to indicate the relative importance of elements within your presentation. For example, use a variety of typeface sizes to show emphasis between a main heading and subordinate details.

Overall, as you design your poster keep in mind that an effective poster is:

• Focused: Focused on a single message.
• Graphic: Lets graphics and images tell the story; uses text sparingly.
• Ordered: Keeps the sequence well-ordered and obvious.

"Service to others is the rent you pay for your room here on earth."  -Muhammad Ali.

The Nominating Committee would like to invite you to consider serving TLS by joining the Board of Directors or by serving on the committees they chair. The Board of Directors consists of dedicated volunteers who are sought by the Nominating Committee and approved by the membership at the Annual Meeting during the Annual Gathering. Board Members are elected to serve a three-year term, with the option to serve a second three-year term. Each Board Member then chairs a Committee that they feel qualified to lead. 
 

What is the purpose of the TLS BOD? The Board of Directors conducts the business of The Labyrinth Society. We meet face to face twice a year, once at the Annual Gathering and again in the Spring for an intensive weekend business meeting. We also confer on alternate months during a phone conference. Serving as a Board Member is a great way to become more involved in the Society and spend time with like-minded Labyrinth enthusiasts! Many good friendships have resulted from serving together on the Board.  
 

Openings that will occur on the Board in Fall of 2012 are: Publications and PR Chair, Nominating Chair, Membership Chair, Special Projects Chair, and Recording Secretary.

TLS also has immediate BOD vacancies for: Finance Chair/Treasurer and Development Chair.

For more information on what is required in any of the positions listed, or to express an interest in serving on the Board of Directors, please email Connie Fenty, Nominating Chair, or call her at: (215)906-2275.

The call for 2012 Gathering Workshop Proposals is officially open, and the New Year brings with it a new look for the proposal form! Exciting changes have been made to update presentation options and requirements, making them more inclusive and value-added for TLS Members. Visit the 2012 Gathering Call for Presentations website page for additional details regarding these updates.

We have also added a blind review to the presentation selection process. All submissions will be considered by the Selection Committee without the names of the presenters attached to them. This ensures that selections are made based on the quality of the proposal.

The 2012 Workshop Selection Committee is ready and eager to receive proposals and read about the brilliant innovations TLS members have been pioneering in the field of labyrinth work.

Be sure to submit your presentation proposals for review by March 1, 2012!

Mark your calendars for May 5, 2012, the fourth-annual World Labyrinth Day. Join people all over the world who will be walking labyrinths on the first Saturday in May. Plan a public event, invite friends and family to walk your labyrinth, join individually with a finger labyrinth, or draw a labyrinth to 'pencil walk'. 

Many people will be walking at 1:00 PM in their own time zone, creating a wave of labyrinth walking around our planet. This unified walk has great potential for helping to heal the world community and the earth.

Walk as One at 1!!!

For more information visit the TLS website, World Labyrinth Day page. Once on this page, you may download flyers and a press release to distribute as needed if you are planning to offer a public walk. Events can be posted on the TLS events calendar and can also be posted on the Labyrinth Locator, where you can find a labyrinth near you.

Are you on Facebook? Check out the TLS Facebook page, Labyrinth Society Notes, where events can be posted, and ideas, pictures, and information exchanged.

How can WLD be present in communities? As one example, last year nine labyrinths were available for walking in Cincinnati, Ohio! These labyrinths were available from 1 - 2 pm on World Labyrinth Day, and most had a facilitator present to provide information and simple walking instructions.

This is the spirit of World Labyrinth Day, a coming together for the greater good and walking in peace while feeling good that you did something positive for the Earth. It would be great if more cities made WLD a city-wide event for 2012! Let's all get together on May 5, 2012, to walk a labyrinth. Over the years we have been busy building labyrinths, so now let us all make an intention to walk our labyrinths on the same day at the same time for the good of the earth and for the good of us all.
 

Please email WLD Coordinator, Carol House, for questions and to post events.  

Blessings to you all,

Carol House
WLD Coordinator