Connection: A Cornerstone of Change
This past weekend we held our first retreat at the Yellow House Retreat and Resource Center. We facilitated a half day Board retreat for CE3, which stands for Community Enrichment, Encouragement, and Empowerment. CE3 is only a couple of years old and Rameka Smith, the Executive Director, wanted a way for her Board to connect deeply to one another and the mission of CE3, as well as create a plan for future activities.
One of the main reasons we wanted to use the Yellow House for retreats is a belief that a familiar and intimate space can create the environment for connection and deeper learning.
Our first experiment went so well! One of the first activities we experienced together encouraged the CE3 Board to share their ‘why’ for being on the Board. Not just the typical response of ‘to help people.’ We asked for a story or experience that planted the seed for community work. Some people were reluctant to share at first. Maybe because there is something more revealing about a personal experience than a personal sentiment.
By the end, each board member shared and opened up an authentic window into the why of helping and supporting others. I can only speak for myself, but I think that the level of connection and understanding that came from that experience set the tone for the rest of the day. As I am writing this I have to admit this experience sounds a little sappy or melodramatic. But it was not like that at all. It was personal, though. It was a moving experience. Is that bad?
How else do you encourage change in others if we are not moved? Change is all about movement, but often in delivering programs and service the emphasis is on moving others. There are many experiences worth sharing from our first retreat, but I just wanted to reflect on this specific experience in this post. The thought that came to my mind from sharing our personal why is that connection creates energy, energy creates movement, and movement creates change. Even though connection is not a strategy or formula to change, it can create a cornerstone from which growth can be built.
If you want to learn more about CE3 please visit their website here, or reach out to Rameka!