From EcoReality

(See also the 2009 spring retreat)

Essential Information

When 

Sunday, 28 December 2008 through Sunday, 4 January 2009.

Who 

EcoReality members, prospective members, and scheduled/booked visitors. We are hoping that participants will be able to attend most or all of the retreat, and not expect to "drop in" for a day or two.

Where 

EcoReality (how to get to EcoReality) and other Salt Spring locations.

Why 

The expressed primary goal was an opportunity for non-resident members and visitors to have an extended opportunity to become better acquainted with each other and resident members. Secondary goals are to get some work done!

Draft schedule:

Proposed times for meals are:

• 8:30-9:00 Breakfast
• 12:30-1:30 Lunch
• 5:30-6:30 Dinner

Sun Dec 28 9:30am-12:30pm (CLASSROOM)

• Heart circle (60) Facilitator - Carol, Recorder - none
• Intro to weekend- Check in, review itinerary, discuss changes or additions (30) Facilitator - James, Recorder - Carol
• Discuss Current challenges (60) - Facilitator - James, Notetaker - Carol

2:00pm-4:00pm Members meeting (CLASSROOM) Facilitator - Shannon, Recorder - Carol

7:00pm-9:00pm (YELLOW HOUSE)

• From DLC's p 52, Sharing from the heart (60) Facilitator - Penny, Recorder - Shannon (scribe on flipchart or whiteboard)
• Interactive board game (60) Facilitator - Morris

Mon Dec 29 9:30am-12:00pm (CLASSROOM)

• Values exercise- Meditation, Individual and Group values, non negotiables, (2.5 hrs) Facilitator - Shannon, Recorder - Mark

7:00pm-9:00pm (YELLOW HOUSE)

• Show & Tell by members- 15 min each (part 1) (90) Facilitator - Susie Anne

Tue Dec 30 9:30am-12:00pm (CLASSROOM)

• DLC where to draw the line & hidden expectations exercises (60) Facilitator - Mark, Recorder - Carol
• Review values, vision, and mission statement (90) Facilitator - Jan, Recorder - James

7:00pm-9:00pm (YELLOW HOUSE)

• Show & Tell by members- 15 min each (part 2) (90) Facilitator - Susie Anne

Wed Dec 31 9:30am-12:00pm (CLASSROOM)

• Brainstorm effectiveness/efficiency of current weekly and monthly rhythms: work party, potluck, teleconf, monthly meetings, etc (45) Facilitator - TBA, Recorder - Carol
• Review/revise 2009 monthly themes (30) Facilitator - Penny, Recorder - Carol
• Review calendar for 2009- retreats, programs, vacations, other commitments etc. (15) Facilitator - TBA, Recorder - James
• Discuss finances- budgets, past & future finances (60) Facilitator - TBA, Recorder - Penny

7:00pm-9:00pm

• Talent show- (CLASSROOM) Facilitator (MC) - Susie Anne

Thu Jan 1 9:30am-12:00pm (CLASSROOM)

• Discuss plans for June Permaculture Design Certificate course. Who wants to help, attend, observe? (45) Facilitator - Susie Anne, Recorder - James
• Discuss structure needs for the above course, and other improvements. (45) Facilitator - Susie Anne, Recorder - James
• Discuss WWOOFers, interns and other farm labour- Pros, cons, strategies and plans for the year. (45) Facilitator - Susie Anne, Recorder - James
• (Polar bear swim after lunch for those who wish to partake) Facilitator - James
  • Note to residents: fill up reservoir, so we won't have muddy banks to negotiate!

7:00pm-9:00pm (CLASSROOM)

• Themed heart circle about recruiting: what works, what doesn't, what is in the way (60) Facilitator - Shannon
• Brainstorm about recruiting (30) Facilitator - Jan, Recorder - Shannon

Fri Jan 2 9:30am-12:00pm (CLASSROOM)

• Review/revise brainstorm session Aug 30 2008, and set priorities on result (45) Facilitator - TBA, Recorder - Carol
• Discuss time budgeting, Approved time, record keeping, in light of our agreed Labour policy. (45) Facilitator - TBA, Recorder - Carol
• Discuss and create to do list and prioritization process (60) Facilitator - Mark, Recorder - Carol

7:00pm-9:00pm (LOCATION TBD)

• Beginner Capoeira demo/class or Nia class (or game night?) (90) Facilitator - Susie Anne

Sat Jan 3 9:30am-12:00pm (YELLOW HOUSE) classroom N/A - QI Gong

• Heart circle (60) (possibly do on Sunday morning if all participants can attend- some often travel on Sunday morning). Facilitator - Penny
• Review/revise communications practices: publicity, website, meetings, teleconferences, etc. (60) Facilitator - Mark, Recorder - Shannon
  • How to make an agreement, from initiation, through discussion, and on to request for consensus. (Mark & Jan)
• Recap week long retreat- ideas for future retreats. (30) Facilitator - James, Recorder - Carol

7:00pm-9:00pm (YELLOW HOUSE)

• Movie night- Kid friendly (120) Facilitator - Jan

Sun Jan 4 9:30am-12:00pm (YELLOW HOUSE) classroom N/A - Qi Gong

• Spare block for tabled items.
• if no items are tabled, review current challenges and brainstorm solutions as a group, or use as time for residents to discuss the integration of new residents. Facilitator - James

NOTE- The afternoons have been left open for spontaneous work, hiking, napping (and kid napping), goat walking, planning, visiting, field trips to other parts of the island (making the best use out of daylight). Except day Dec 28 which has a published meeting time. We'd like to continue the bonding and getting to know each other better during the afternoons. Here is a list of possible optional activities:

• Hiking on site- Up old logging roads, to top of Mt Bruce, follow Reid Creek, up beyond Jones Rd.
• Hiking off site- Mt Maxwell, Burgoyne, Reserve Trail, Ruckle, Erskine, Southey Point.
• Working on site- the list is long...
• On site planning- Just where will solar shower go....?
• Visiting other people on the island.