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The FENG SHUI INSTITUTE of the MIDWEST is committed to promoting the highest standards in the practice of Feng Shui through continued growth in education, innovation, service, and support for the membership and the community at large.
MESSAGE FROM THE PRESIDENT
In the spring of 1999, I had the privilege of certifying twenty-two women who had completed a nine-month Feng Shui study program with me. It was the first group of students graduating from what was to eventually become The Wind and Water School of Feng Shui. Meeting two to three times a month obviously brought us together in many ways. Watching their growth and expansion into new forms was almost palpable. I'm sure they observed the same growth in me as I moved into the role of their teacher.
At their graduation, we all commented on how the process had seemed like a moment in time yet so much had happened to each and every one of us as the year progressed. Simply put, we didn't want it to end. The unspoken question we asked was: How can we share what we had experienced together?
We pondered what this might look like and how it might work. As the Universe has a way of bringing about unexpected answers, I had a serendipitous meeting with a gentleman from Singapore who brought us the missing piece. As a part-time Feng Shui practitioner himself, Andrew Hong expressed some concern to me about credentials. It had been his observation that with the explosive popularity of Feng Shui, many people had stepped forward without adequate training to declare themselves qualified Feng Shui practitioners. Then, as now, there is no licensing board nor credentialing panel to monitor the quality of education and training people were getting. He encouraged me to set some standards.
I put the idea in front of the new graduates; their enthusiasm put it into motion. Out of this idea sprouted The Feng Shui Institute of Minnesota (FSIM). We wanted to stress the imperative that Feng Shui practitioners understand the seriousness of their work, therefore, those practitioners who would qualify to be active members must meet certain criteria, thus assuring prospective clients of qualified and professional individuals. FSIM would not be exclusive to one school or one method, but would be open to both the traditional perspective as well as the more modern Black Sect method.
As practitioners qualify for membership, they are able to display the FSIM logo on their business cards if they choose to do so or to use the logo in any other way they deem appropriate. Someone who may be looking for Feng Shui assistance now has assurance of hiring a professional, qualified to provide them with appropriate and responsible suggestions and information.
As part of their membership, each practitioner can attend four meetings throughout the year, hearing speakers and experts on various fields and topics closely related to Feng Shui. Practitioners can also take part in two to three trade shows each year by working at the FSIM booth. Names and contact information are available on the web site for each of the active, qualified members of FSIM. And if a member has a product they manufacture and/or sell, FSIM has a product page to do just that (check it out).
In 2000, the name of the organization was changed to The Feng Shui Institute of the Midwest, prompted by members from out-of-state. Our initial mission statement has been slightly adjusted to incorporate the word "service" to its content. It is still the goal of FSIM to fulfill its two-pronged commitment: to support the Feng Shui community and to assure potential clients of qualified consultants. Many of the original Board members are still actively serving on the current Board of FSIM. We continue to maintain our ultimate goal of helping people incorporate change in their lives.
In Wind and Water,
Carole J. Hyder
President, FSIM
