BCODN December 2022 Newsletter



 

BCODN Dec 2022 Newsletter

 

 

 

President’s Message

 

Season’s greetings to the entire BCODN network! Writing this from a small rural town with nearly three feet of snow on a December morning, I am reminded of our regional and personal diversity. Our network has expanded well beyond the Lower Mainland, and I am mindful of this as the 2022-2023 board plans for the future.

Historically in June, BCODN welcomes new board members for alternating two-year terms. Some board members step down while others step up, enabling sustainable turnover. This year was different. The impact of enduring over two years of a global pandemic was a complete board turnover due to re-evaluation of personal priorities and sheer exhaustion.

I was inspired by those who stepped forward in the face of a leadership crisis and chose to extend my two-year term to fill the role of president amidst a group of appointed board members who are passionate, uniquely experienced, and supportive. We are a much smaller board than usual, but we are mighty in our desire to share the power of organization development through connection and collaboration. 

To pull ourselves out from the crisis, we focused on identifying and letting go of unhelpful patterns. We knew we had to move forward in a way that cultivated energy instead of consuming it. Our first step was to connect with past board members, celebrate contributions, and facilitate a transfer of knowledge and wisdom. On October 1, we hosted A Thread Through Time: Connecting the Past to the Future – an event that brought over 20 past board members together to share experiences from BCODN’s 30 year history!  This was our first in-person event since February 2020.

The regenerative energy and the knowledge and wisdom that were shared, were absolute gifts. By the end of the day, the board walked away with a clear mandate to: 1) Strengthen what is valued, 2) Pause to go smart; and 3) Ask & clarify so that our members enjoy growth, relationships & community, OD, organizational stability, and positive experiences.

 

 

What became clear to us, was the need to Do OD together, to help our organization thrive. The goal for June 2023 is to have a full turn-out and successful election at the AGM, and to present a 3-year strategic plan for BCODN that is informed by the BCODN Community.  To accomplish this, the board is focused on engaging our network through an Appreciative Inquiry (AI) process that includes virtual and in-person participation. This is an opportunity for our members to experience the AI approach to strategic planning. Wherever you are in the province, we would love for you to be part of the process to collectively determine our future priorities. I’m excited to see what emerges!
“There is no power for change greater than a community discovering what it cares about.” 

– Margaret Wheatley 

Another key theme that emerged from Oct 1 Board event was Celebrate Achivement. In keeping with this, we are celebrating 20 years of Building Community Organizations (BCO)! BCO has been a flagship program of BCODN for 20 years and we are celebrating in April. All past (and even future) volunteer consultants, mentors, non-profit organization participants, and BCO committee members are invited to an evening of reflection and appreciation. I know it’s going to be an amazing year for Building Community Organizations.  We have a strong committee leading this work, and they welcome those who would like to Do OD and help plan the celebration. Email bco@bcodn.org for details.  

In addition to Do-ing OD to support our own sustainability, the events calendar on our website is full of OD-related learning opportunities and community connections. Check it out here. We are leveraging what exists in our ecosystem to provide membership value now and into the future, and encourage you to take advantage of some amazing learning and networking opportunities. BCODN membership includes ODN membership event discounts, as well as discounted registration with Human Systems Dynamics Institute. We also have members who are stepping forward to create community connections. If you are in the Vancouver area on December 29th, check out the Community Connections invitation from Rishabh and Peter. I hope to see you there! If you have an idea you would like to bring to life to benefit the OD community in your neighborhood, let us know.   

Contact info@bcodn.org for more information on membership and opportunities for you to get involved in sharing the power of OD.

Take care, be well, and may this shortest day of the year be symbolic of our brighter days ahead. 

Sincerely,

Jen Schmidt

BCODN President 

With humility and in the spirit of reconciliation, I acknowledge that my work in the Kootenay Boundary region takes place on the traditional, ancestral, and unceded territories of the Sinixt, syilx, Ktunaxa, and Secwépemc First Nations, and is home to the Métis and many diverse Aboriginal communities. It is a beautiful and precious land that I am grateful to feel beneath my feet.

 

 

Happy Holidays from the BCODN Board

Wishing you peace, health, and happiness from our families to yours, during the holiday season!

 

 



 

From left to right (Top): Jen Schmidt (President), Jim Brosseau (Treasurer), Ritika Rana (VP, Community Engagement) From left to right (Bottom): Imaima Robert (VP, Communications), Patience Cox (Member at Large), Catherine North (BCO Liaison)

 

 

 

Upcoming BCODN events to watch for in 2023!

The Dream, Design, and Destiny sessions are a facilitated, three-part strategic planning Appreciative Inquiry process for the board and members to co-create a 3-year strategic plan for our network. You can attend one, two or all.

 

Creating Community Connections

 

 

Would you like to create connections in your community?  If you have interest and energy, and would like to create opportunities to come together in your region, let us know!  We’re happy to help you spread the word.  Whether you’re based in Abbotsford, Bowen Island, Campbell River, Sechelt, Richmond, Trail or Victoria  – we know there are other OD Practitioners like you who would benefit from connecting with like minds.  Let us know where you are based, and we’ll do what we can to help you create community connections.

VANCOUVER: An invitation from Peter and Rishabh

We are delighted to extend an invitation to a casual networking get-together on December 29th at 5:00 pm at Ballyhoo Public House, 888 Burrard Street #103, Vancouver BC V6Z 1X9 (Closest SkyTrain: Burrard Skytrain Station)

The intention is for OD practitioners in the Vancouver area to get to know each other and connect over shared passion and purpose, so that we can support one another to grow our individual and collective OD practices.

If you would like to join us, kindly RSVP via email to rishabh@soulrideruniversal.com  or peterchoi969@gmail.com

A second event will be held on Thursday, January 26th, 2023. Time and location are to be confirmed.

We look forward to seeing you!

Happy Holidays!

Peter & Rishabh

 

 

Opportunities to practice OD: Volunteers needed! 

 

 

Help BCO Celebrate 20 years!

 

 

Opportunity Alert! We heard loud and clear during the October 1 event that people want to practice & experience OD. We have a number of short-term opportunities to get involved at whatever level is right for you.  

  • Participation in/at sessions (single-day experiences)
  • Assisting on the day of sessions (single-day experiences)
  • Planning / Facilitating sessions (4-6 weeks)
  • Reporting out / sharing back with participants & stakeholders (1 – 2 weeks)
  • Join the BCODN Strategic Planning Committee (6 months)
  • Join the BCO Celebration Committee (4 months)
Want to Do OD?
Contact us!
  info@bcodn.org

Let’s Celebrate 20 years of BCO! If you have a passion for Building Community Organizations and have energy and talent for any of the activities listed here, we would LOVE to hear from you! 

  • Event planning: venue selection, catering, coordinating & managing invitations
  • Communications: invitations, graphics, messaging
  • Sponsorship: seek & secure funds to offset event costs; maintain healthy relationships; leverage community connections
  • Session design & facilitation: intentional design of pace, flow, and facilitation 

Our next meeting is Tuesday, January 10th, 6:30 – 7:30 pm.
Send us an email at bco@bcodn.org, and we’ll send you the Zoom meeting link!

 

 

Volunteer as a Consultant

Did you know – Our exclusive Building Community Organizations (BCO) Program is a unique platform where you can volunteer for some very interesting projects and build your expertise as a consultant. The opportunity is for anyone who is a keen learner.

To volunteer please contact our BCO Liaison at bco@bcodn.org

 

 

 


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Get HSD Certified!

 

BCODN is excited to announce it is partnering with Human Systems Dynamics Institute to create a BC-based learning community for the 2023 HSD Professional certification courses!  Active BCODN members will receive 30% off the HSDP course registration fee!  Join a global network of committed and curious individuals who use Human Systems Dynamics to understand their world in new ways.  Stay tuned for course dates and registration details!

 

 

 


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