Envision conversation on charitable status - Oct 3 from 10-12 at the Hub

[Ryan Deschamps]

[apologies for cross-posting - sending this on behalf of Kathy
Jourdain]

(This email list is by no means extensive - since I don't have
everyone's email and am trying to remember off the top of my head.
Please pass this on to others and even extend a personal invitation to
someone you know to attend.)



Last Friday, we did some planning for the meeting we are hosting
October 3 from 10-12 at the Hub on Barrington Street, for the purpose
of understanding both Envision's obligations and opportunities as a
charity.



Our stated outcomes are:

* clear description of charitable status - obligations and
opportunities

* identify people who will be willing to help with and lend expertise
to the Steering Committee - being explicit about this invitation

* people leave understanding what we are aiming for and at least some
self-identify to actively support (read: run with) the goals



We brainstormed some August 31, 2010 goals - If Envision has done this
by Aug 31 we will feel like it is meeting its mission:

* Envision is revitalized with LOTS of people actively engaged

* We have met our charitable status and by-law requirements

* We have issued tax receipts

* We have developed a new financial model and are financially
sustaining ourselves

* We have begun to map the organic growth of Envision and Envision's
success stories

* We have a clear job description for our ED and are providing proper
support and mentoring

* We have a designed leadership program ready to go and a diverse
group of people in it

* We have delivered a "streamed" leadership program that was defined
early in the year and was a source of revenue

* Money in the bank that we have gone after including through granting
institutions - meaning also that we have written at least one grant
application

* We have created the space for passive relationships to become active
relationships

* We have identified a couple of partners we could support with our
charitable status and are in exploration of what that would look like

* We have done an assessment of community needs through ongoing
conversations and perhaps other means

We want you, your Envision colleagues (if you have been in the
leadership program), your friends, your ideas and maybe your
willingness to roll up your sleeves and be actively involved. Extend
the invite, accept the invite, let us know you want to stay informed,
if you haven't already.



We are the ones we have been waiting for and the time is NOW. See you
Saturday, Kathy

[Kathy Jourdain]

Here is one of the cool reflections by Susan Szpakowski that came out
of this conversation...

Thank you again for inviting me yesterday. It is apparent that
Envision Halifax is going through a groan zone, and I hope I didn't
inadvertently press any hot buttons in my naive nostalgia. Generally I
was inspired by the people and the possibilities, including the
potential connections with ALIA. I appreciate you all very much.

Here are some morning-after reflections.

Envision Halifax is a large name, born with a large mandate. While
focus is needed and important now, in order to establish the bow of
the ship, it seems to also that the time has come to "think bigger."

Having Envision Halifax, the Hub, and ALIA all present in that moment
of questioning felt great. Just imagine the bonfire we could build
together. Look at all the connections we could ignite with a vision
that was big enough, timely, and magnetic.

• the alumni, sponsors, and hosts of 4 years of the EHLP • the alumni
of 9 years of the Shambhala Summer Program and year-round workshops •
all the clients of our amazing consultant-friends: Kathy, Ravi, Tim,
Sera, Jeanie, and more • all the people who have been inspired by
Danny's leadership and example • all the people who look to the Hub
for connection and leadership • everyone else who knows that the
status quo isn't good enough, something is afoot, and they want to get
involved

Does EH want to engage us all in this bonfire building? With the right
concept, testimonials and champions, would it possible to attract the
corporate and government supporters who would want to be attached to
this vision and see it flourish?

What is "this vision?" This is what I have understand to be behind the
mission of EH: Igniting a culture of engagement across generations,
communities, and sectors, and across all levels of leadership. In
other words, igniting, and providing a container for a movement. The
"how" part is creating the conditions that overcome silos and small
thinking, and building leadership capacity. The "what-for" is the co-
creation of our future as a vibrant and resilient community of
communities.

How have we naturally evolved into the space of this mission? What are
the ingredients for systemic transformation across the larger
community?

• new models of leadership development (collaborative,
transformational, engaging) • new models of systems change and growth
(e.g., Theory U, Art of
Hosting)
• having a place to meet, a place to ground and focus the movement
(the Hub)

What else do we want to do? What other pieces add to a complete
picture?

• more systematically connecting bright lights (people, innovations,
stories) to each other
• supporting these bright lights with consultation and resources •
fostering a community of practice • expanding the audience of
leadership development to include more senior-level leaders

And meanwhile, all three of our organizations have sustainability
issues. Is the timing right to attract the resources that would give
us all the ground we need to really step into the work? Are we able/
willing to model what we are talking about and collaborate across
organizational boundaries and the imperatives of self-interest and
survival? I don't have an answer to these questions; I am just aware
they exist. None of us wants to get mired in another level of
interpersonal or political wranglings, which drain time and energy.

As for timing, I think a concept brief could be positioned to attract
both municipal as well as provincial resources, as a prototype. The
quiet building of connections and goodwill over the years has created
a critical mass, and there is a dawning widespread sense that new
approaches and new thinking are critical. Leadership is now needed to
coalesce this movement, to give it voice and focus. That leadership
needs to be fundamentally open and inclusive in order to accommodate
and transcend diverse players, views, and interests. I think we are
ready to host that kind of radically open space, though it would take
a lot of intentional work and ongoing practice.

I'm also aware that Envision Halifax and the Hub aren't exactly
inviting ALIA into a partnership :-) . I'm just wildly assuming and
reflecting, based on a vision that arose this morning. Also, our
Institute is at a juncture where we are already thinking about these
questions, as we move further towards becoming a year-round Institute
committed to our home province. As I already mentioned to Tracy, I'd
like to have a conversation about a partnership with the HuB,
regardless of whether this bigger conversation is timely. And if
Envision Halifax continues to offer leadership programs, we should
probably talk as well, to make sure we are moving forward in a way
that's complementary.

So, maybe that's more than enough.

Greetings to all on a rainy Sunday morning.

Susan

[Ryan Deschamps]

Looks like a great conversation was had.    I forsee alot of momentum for the future.    Looking forward to seeing any further harvests from the meeting.