The Centers Gathering 2006
The Haven Institute, Gabriola Island, B.C., Canada
During the introductory session of the 2006 Gathering, the participants expressed they would like to explore these overall themes:
- connection with others in community, learning and sharing together
- refresh, renewal and restoration
- what is going on out there? How is it that we can meet the needs of people in such a complex world?
- to see what comes out of the collective heart & mind
- to gain new perspectives
- examining where spiritual practice meets the world
- talking about the deeper spiritual “guidance aspect” and how are we addressing what is wanting
Participants created the following list of what they wanted to accomplish during the Gathering:
- What “reasons” are people coming to centres? (Healing vs. personal /professional growth)
- Work/Study programs
- Learn and Share
- Exchange links
- Share business/marketing models
- Insurance issues
- Group bookings (facility rentals, conference resources – pros and cons)
- Leaders – who’s hot, who’s not? Names
- Client databases and mailings – how to mass email and market – use of database – what works and doesn’t
- Staffing and wage issues
- Fundraising and development
- Fundraising from abundance (vs. need)
- Formula for fundraising, room and board – financial revenue split model
- Identifying and mentoring leaders
- Staff Issues
- Overall programming trends
- general moods towards professional
- mainstream
- advancing certification
- “Taking it to the Streets”
- Community – within and beyond
- Marketing
- internet and paper
- electronic media
- P.R. (cooperation), mainstream perceptions
- A/V
- Identifying and cultivating more people and groups
- Radio Shows
- Operations Technology (i.e. software)
- What does collaboration really mean? How to partner with people when there are minimum funds? How does this drive our programming/consequences?
- How do we invite community?
- What are our core values?
- When did work become work? Take care of our selves in the face of high business demands
- Social Responsibility – “Business and values”
- What can centres like ours (what is our mission) do in response to the world’s current circumstances?
- Sustainability
- Management Consultants, Succession planning, sharing experiences
- Challenges and lessons in our work as spiritual paths
- Volunteers
- Property Maintenance & Expansion
- Connecting our “specialists” in operations
- On-going on line forums
- On-line education
- Working with members
- Relationship between residential communities and staff
If your Center is interested in participating in the next Gathering please click here for more details.
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