Morning presentation with Michael Kendrick
Afternoon presentation with Gregg Levoy
Evening presentation with Michael Kendrick

MORNING PRESENTATION WITH MICHAEL KENDRICK

"WHAT ONE PERSON CAN DO IN HUMAN SERVICE, ADVOCACY, AND SOCIAL CHANGE"

This session explores the many reasons why we might think our work in human services is or is not fruitful. It will look at liberating versus self-defeating assumptions and their role in linking people to their gifts and potential. Michael will assist us to explore the many beneficial (but often unappreciated) contributions made by "ordinary" people within everyday life, illuminating the various kinds of personal motivations that may be a source for giving. We will also consider the possible benefits of making a contribution to our own lives and examine the special concerns of working under difficult circumstances over a long period.

Michael's deeply insightful and reflective material will both challenge and reassure us about our individual abilities to make a significant contribution. We will explore how we might better focus our efforts in making relevant and meaningful contributions.

AFTERNOON PRESENTATION WITH GREGG LEVOY

"CALLED TO SERVE: THE POWER OF PASSIONATE WORK"

This dynamic presentation----part lecture and part hands-on workshop----will help us gain the clarity and courage to take whatever Next Step we might need to deepen our calling to serve.

People who are fueled by a sense of calling----a deep feeling of fit and purpose, a sense of aliveness and contribution, a match between who they are and what they do----will bring that kind of passion and spirit to their jobs and lives. In fact, any leap we wish to make in our professional or personal lives that will bring us (or bring us back to) this sense of authenticity and engagement is, by definition, a calling. The calling could be to make a creative leap or career change, take on a new role or let go of an old one, launch a new venture or style of leadership, or come back to our work with renewed passion and commitment.

We'll also explore the questions that arise naturally in the presence of any calling: What does it ask of us? How do we keep the fires burning? How do we tell the true calls from the false? What happens when we say no? What happens when we say yes?

EVENING PRESENTATION WITH MICHAEL KENDRICK

"EMERGING LEADERSHIP CHALLENGES FACING THE FIELD"

There is a tendency in most people and organizations to assume that the future will unfold, more or less, much like the past. The reality is that many of us are later caught unprepared by the surprises and challenges the future has in store.

Effective leadership necessitates that we prepare for the future by anticipating and facing emerging challenges as early as possible, even though we may be uncertain about what might unfold.

In this regard, exploring the future can be very helpful. To anticipate emerging challenges and to test whether we have the capabilities to face them; considering what we might want to develop in preparation. The deliberate consideration of possible scenarios and development of contingency thinking has long been a sign of leadership preparation.

Leadership, of course, can come from many people in many roles, including families, support staff, social workers, managers and self-advocates.

This session will identify some of the emerging leadership challenges within the community-living field and their implications. We recognize that this is an especially relevant topic for those of us involved in community-living services here in B.C., as we prepare to face the many complex challenges ahead. We encourage all interested people to attend this evening presentation, whether you are a family member, self-advocate, executive director, board member or practitioner.