We are still finalizing the 2007 Agenda

Here is the 2006 Agenda for your reference:

Friday May 12th

5:30-6:30pm - Vancity Welcome Reception (in the Lodge)

6:30-8:00pm - Dinner (in the Lodge)

8:15 -10:00pm - Welcome, Opening remarks (in Olatunji Hall)
Opening Keynote: Mary Gordon - The Roots of Empathy

Saturday May 13th

9:15 - 10:45am - Case Study #1: ForestEthics (see materials p.28)
(in Olatunji Hall) Case Study presenters: Todd Paglia, Tzeporah Berman
Case Study respondents: Tim Brodhead, Dan Johnston and Joel Solomon

11:05 - 12:35pm - Keynote: Al Etmanski and Vickie Cammack
(in Olatunji Hall)
Thinking Like a Movement: Emerging Patterns of Social Innovation

2:00 - 3:30pm - Workshop Stream #1: (Participants pick one workshop)

1A) Olatunji Hall A Strategic Approach to Negotiation Dan Johnston

Negotiating the right thing at the right time can mean a successful outcome for your social change initiative. But when is the right time to negotiate? Why negotiate versus using other tactics? How do you negotiate strategically, toward a timely and effective solution? How do you assess whether a negotiation is working and how to shift it, if it’s not?

Come and learn from one of the masters. As a mediator who has worked for years in negotiations between NGOs, First Nations, governments, and corporations, Dan Johnston has unique perspective on what it takes to be successful. among other highlights, Dan’s mediation skills were instrumental in the successful negotiation of the protection of the Great Bear Rainforest in British Columbia earlier this year.

1B) Raven Social Capital Financial Instruments & Social Change Tim Draimin and Al Etmanski

Non profit sector social innovators and social entrepreneurs share a common challenge: where to find the capital to take their good ideas to scale? Historically non-profits have relied on charitable donations (less than 6% of the sector’s revenue) plus government grants and contracts as well as earned income. One new pathway opening up is finding social investors: financiers with patient capital who value both financial and social returns. New models of investment - i.e. social capital markets - are becoming the new architecture for social finance. Funding pools and social investment instruments are being developed to diversify risk, spread costs and scale up returns.

This workshop will share knowledge about emerging social capital markets and how they can fit into the financial diversification plans of social entrepreneurs. We will map initiatives underway (e.g. the growing nexus of social economy, community economic development, and new financial instruments) and will workshop ways to accelerate the growth and accessibility of social capital.

1C) Kiakum Horns Out, Rumps In: Building Power for the Long Haul Judy Rebick, Van Jones, Kevin Milsip & Neil Monckton
Facilitated by Lyndsay Poaps

How can we foster social movements that have a mature approach to power, conflict and collaboration? Progressive movements often meet with success when they join together towards a common purpose. Just as often, when power is achieved, people turn against one another, alliances are short-lived, and power is squandered. In this session we will grapple with the question: How can we build long term power, wield it effectively, and maintain it without undermining each other? We will also explore the relationship between social movements and electoral politics, and the complexities associated with policy advocacy, building power, and ‘large P Politicsî.

4:00 - 5:30pm - Workshop Stream #2: (Participants pick one workshop)

2A) Olatunji Hall Energy, Aboriginal Communities and the Battle for the North

Hosted by Gerald amos, Facilitated by Merran Smith and Karen Campbell

Indigenous communities of northern BC face unprecedented pressures. The world wants the great energy wealth that lies below their traditional lands and wants to move the oil from the tar sands through those lands. Political and legal advancements of recent years provide unique opportunities for aboriginal communities to influence where and how such development occurs. But the harsh reality is that the rate and scale of proposals far exceeds their capacity to respond alone.

Meanwhile, the conservation community has its own interests in protecting the great northern landscape - - the richest repository of wildlife in North america and the headwaters of the great rivers of the west, the Yukon, Fraser, McKenzie, Skeena, Stikine, Nass, Taku and more.

How do we take advantage of new possibilities for collaboration? How do we develop and implement effective campaigns and strategies that combine the power of aboriginal communities with the resources of the conservation community? And how can it be done respectfully, when development timelines are creating such urgency, leaving us barely the time to get to know one another?

2B) Raven Human Resources: Leading People, Leading Change with Deena Chochinov and Grace Pulver

Human resources management is critical to the success of an organization, particulary in today’s environment of high-complexity, high-speed and high-cost. More and more, Executive Directors and managers are tasked with building a committed, dedicated and highly-skilled team that gives their organization a competitive advantage. This is really hard to do ó especially if the organization does not have a dedicated HR professional on the team. This session will offer practical information, models and ideas to help you deal with HR issues, and the constant people-challenges and creative tensions you need to manage.

2C) Kiakum Spirit of Activism and the Action of Spirit Stephen Legault, Darcy Riddell and Yonatan Gordis

Many successful social change movements have relied on the pull of faith in order to succeed, and throughout history there have been great leaders whose spiritual fervor for justice and peace was an example to generations and nations. Yet, the material world and the spiritual world can also seem at odds, leaving the spiritual devotee and the activist to follow divergent paths. There are many seekers who do not engage in pressing social problems, and activists who sacrifice or postpone their own spiritual growth — working instead to change others. At critical times in history, the melding of these two streams has been seen as a moral imperative - an alchemically human formula in which one part cannot succeed without the other. When these two streams are brought together, they can give rise to very potent transformation in ourselves and the world. Drawing insights from different spiritual traditions, we will explore the active ways that spirituality can motivate and guide our work in the world. There will be time for dialogue, and encounters with practices of different faiths.

2D) Bluff House Financial Sustainability Robert Marus

No matter what your cause or vision, a financially healthy organization is fundamental to achieving your goals. In this session participants will discuss what a financially healthy organization looks like, the essentials of a fiscally responsible board, basic banking tools, cash management, business and financial planning and analysis to manage their existing financial resources more effectively. Ensuring that you, your staff or your board understand how to utilize the tools of financial management will support your organization’s financial sustainability. Robert Marus brings his wealth of experience as the Manager of Vancity’s Community Business Banking Department to the workshop. Come with your burning financial questions.

8:15 -10:00pm - Keynote: Van Jones - The Great Convergence

Sunday May 14th

9:15 - 10:45am - Case Study #2 - PLAN (see materials p.30)
(in Olatunji Hall) Case Study presenters: Vickie Cammack and Al Etmanski
Case Study respondents: Tim Draimin, Van Jones and Judy Rebick

11:05 - 12:35pm - Keynote: Nina Simons and Kenny Ausubel - The Story of Bioneers

4:00 - 5:30pm - Speed Dating
(In the Lodge) Hosted by Lyndsay Poaps and Alexandra Samuel

A tongue-in-cheek rip off of speed dating, this session offers an immersive, invigorating and hilarious approach to meeting people and learning about the campaigns, new tools and out-of-the-box ideas participants have been working on.

If you have a success story to tell, a tool to demonstrate or a new idea to float - this is your chance to present the highlights to your fellow changemakers. Presenters will make a four minute (yes, we mean it) presentation to a small group of on-lookers and receive feedback; then we’ll rotate around the room until each presenter has given her presentation to each group. Participants - get ready to encounter some hot strategists - you’ll definitely find something to take home with you!

8:15 - 10:00pm - Keynote: Dave Mowat - Harnessing Community Capital and Community Power: Vancity Credit Union

Monday May 15th

9:15 - 10:45am - Case Study #3 - Public Outreach (see materials p.32)
(in Olatunji Hall) Case Study presenter: John Finlay
Case Study respondents: Pam Chalout, Dave Mowat and Joel Solomon

11:05 - 12:35pm - Hot Emerging Issues

This session is your opportunity to take up issues that participants wish to pursue more deeply, or to introduce a new topic not addressed in the agenda.

Throughout the gathering we will be collecting topics that people want to talk about on an Emerging Issues list. If you would like to host such a conversation, sign up on the sheet provided in Olatunji Hall. Please only suggest an issue if you are willing to lead or facilitate the conversation.

2:00 - 3:30pm - Workshop Stream #3

3A) Olatunji Hall - Networked Social Movements & the Online Revolution Jason Mogus, Alexandra Samuel & Leda Dederich

In the biggest picture, the Internet is a profound structural expression of a new paradigm of co-operation and self-organizing systems. This paradigm has been partially driven by technology, and is changing the way people relate to information and to each other.

* What are the implications of this democratization of knowledge and network-centric organizing for progressive movement-building?
* How can we anticipate and harness this revolutionary shift?
* How relevant are our 20th century organizations and approaches in this new context, and what can we do to bring them into the 21st Century?

This workshop will explore these questions as they hit the ground both within your organization and in your work across organizations and sectors. We will identify how your organization can implement new technologies to foster more effective communication and collaboration between staff. Building on this, we will look at how the Internet also shifts the landscape of political organizing — not just for individual organizations, but for the progressive movement as a whole. We will explore new opportunities for social movements who want to expand grassroots mobilization, deepen collaboration, and foster broad cooperation on social change goals. We’ll identify principles for progressive movement-building online, and address specific strategies and tools to build capacity within and across organizations. Bring your questions and your ideas to workshop.

3B) Raven Leadership: An Integral Approach Dana Carman

This experiential workshop will introduce you to a simple approach for understanding and acting skillfully in the face of complex challenges. The material presented in this session is based on philosopher Ken Wilber’s four quadrant model and Dana Carman’s twenty years as an organizational consultant and social activist. The workshop will provide insight into our ’strong suitsî as leaders, illuminate our blind spots, and assist us in seeing our growing edges as leaders.

This session will serve you as a leader if you:

* Love to work at the nexus of theory and action;
* Are working on challenges that are pushing the limits of your current thinking; and
* Desire to enhance your ability to collaborate with people who have
different values or cultural systems than your own.

3 C) Kiakum Social Enterprise: A Roadmap to Success Janice Abbott

Civil society organizations are increasingly developing social enterprises to resource their work and further their mission. Running a business enterprise can definitely enhance your work - and provide unforeseen challenges. Will starting a social enterprise work for your organization? How do you expand the social enterprise you are already running? What are the successful ingredients for making it work? How best to move from vision to business planning through to evaluation? How do we measure social returns in this kind of model? How do we balance with enterprising project with the core work of the organization? Learn from successful examples and the experience of your peers. In this session we will we generate a list of hot tips, best practices and the pitfalls to avoid.

4:00 - 5:30pm - Workshopping Your Issue

Participants sign-up with pre-identified facilitators in small groups, to workshop an organizational or strategic issue and receive feedback from their peers. Three people per group will present. Themes include: Power and Movement-Building, Financial Innovation, Campaign Strategy, Organizational Development. If you have an issue you would like feedback on, sign-up in Olatunji Hall.

Tuesday May 16th

9:30 - 10:45am - Integrating Your Learning: with Karen Mahon and Darcy Riddell

11:05 - 12:00pm - Next Steps and Closing

May 13 - 15th

One-On-One Consulting

Sign up with pre-identified experts, or connect informally with someone who has skills and knowledge to share. Connect with consultants directly, and they will book a mutually convenient time for a 45 min. session, over meals and at free times. Sign-up early, spots are limited.

Consultant List:

Stewart Anderson - Aboriginal Lending (Vancity)

Tzeporah Berman - Strategy & Campaigns

Sandi Chamberlain - Organizational Development

Deena Chochinov - Human Resources, Organizational Development

Tim Draimin and Al Etmanski - Financial Innovation

Irene Gannitsos - Vancity Foundation

Yonathan Gordis - Organizational Development

Lara Honrado - Working with Asian Canadians, Diversity and Partnership

Scott Hughes - Non-Profit and Community Lending (Vancity)

Robert Marus - Financial Planning and Sustainability (Vancity)

Neil Monckton - Political Organizing and Civic Engagement

Andrea Reimer - Strategy, Membership Development, Human Resources

Nina Simons - Organizational Systems, Leadership

Extra Curricular Activities

Cortes Island, in Desolation Sound is a place of stunning natural beauty and tranquility. We provide a variety of activities to support your Personal Ecology - from dancing and yoga, to guided hikes. For additional treats like the sailboat cruise and bodywork, sign up in the Hollyhock Bookstore.

Sailboat Cruise - Sunday May 14th, 1:30-6:30pm

Join the crew of the Misty Isles - a 43 foot west coast schooner - for a memorable voyage to nearby Mitlenatch Island, the largest seabird breeding rookery in the Strait of Georgia. The flora on Mitlenatch are outstanding at this time of the year, and this is a rare opportunity to see this precious ecosystem in all its spring glory. Book in the Hollyhock Store.

Yoga with Robbie Gordis

Join Vijnana yoga teacher Robbie Gordis in Raven for yoga on Saturday and Sunday morning at 7am, and a Hollyhock teacher Monday afternoon. Beginners welcome.

5 Rhythyms Dance with Soasis

Soasis Sukuweh leads a dance session in Raven on Sunday before dinner for those who want to explore the 5 Rhythms. Beginners welcome.

Naturalist Events - Guided Walk and Morning Row

Guided Walks to Easter Bluff - Hike along old-growth groves and moss-covered bluffs to discover the island’s abundant fauna and flora, and gaze over the islands and sea atop Easter Bluff on Sunday afternoon.

Harlequin Morning Row - A breathtaking start to the day, tour the nearby waters in the Harlequin, our 12 person story. Book in the store, for a Monday row.

Exceptional Bodywork Treatments

Unwind, breathe easy and feel revitalized in the hands of Hollyhock’s highly skilled, professional practitioners.

Take advantage of one of the following wonderful treatments:

Hollyhock Massage

Deep Massage

Sea Stone Massage

Aromatherapy Massage

Didjeridu Sound Sessions

Facials & Wraps

Cranio Sacral

Reflexology

*Book your sessions early at the Hollyhock Bookstore*