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BC Organization Development Network

BC Organization Development Network

The BC Organization Development Network (BC ODN) is a virtual learning community of practitioners in a wide variety of organizations.

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BCODN News

BCODN December 2022 Newsletter

Posted on January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 by jeremy


 

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

 

 

 


Share and Connect with BCODN

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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!

 

 

 


Advertise with BCODN 

It’s simple and easy to get your message out to the BCODN community.

  • On our website (a sidebar ad)
  • Email blast to our subscribers and members (e-blast)
  • Job posting

Ads and job postings appear on our most-visited web pages and can be shared through e-blasts. Job postings are also included in seasonal newsletters. Click here to find out more.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

BCODN Publishes Annual Report for 2021-2022

Posted on January 16, 2023January 16, 2023 by jeremy

The BC Organizational Development Network Annual Report for 2021-2022 is now available.

The full report can be viewed and downloaded here:

BCODN Annual Report 2021-2022

Spring 2021 Newsletter

Posted on March 28, 2021 by Kate Lane-Hill

BCODN Spring 2021 Newsletter

Juliet’s Message
President, BCODN Board of Directors

Hello, OD colleagues!

We’re ready for Spring and welcoming longer days! We’re excited to continue to bring you virtual networking, development, volunteer opportunities and more. We’re also looking forward to working closely with members of our OD network on presentations and round tables while forging new partnerships and welcoming new BCODN Board of Director members.

Thank you to those who completed our OD Community Survey last Fall. We heard you! A summary of the results can be found here. We’re proud to be a supportive and diverse learning network and a positive impact on our community is essential. We continue to evolve with your contributions and feedback.

COVID-19 has brought us many changes and challenges. The OD community has demonstrated resilience and resourcefulness by quickly shifting to virtual events and services. Be sure to read Catherine North’s article below on facilitating in a virtual context, for tips and ideas.

Want to get involved? There are a number of Board members’ terms ending in June which creates opportunities for other exceptional OD leaders. I will be stepping down as President after several rewarding years volunteering with the BCODN. It’s been a great opportunity to really get to know and grow the many facets of what we offer through the Building Community Organizations mentoring program, the Programs portfolio and in my current Officer position.

Board of Director vacancies include: VP, Communications; VP, Community Engagement; Building Community Organizations Liaison and President. See Become a Director for details on how to get involved. If you’re interested or curious to find out more, reach out! info@bcodn.org

The Board is feeling optimistic and looking forward to making a positive impact throughout 2021. We in the OD field are fortunate to work in a profession whose values are about bringing out the best in people in their organizations! As we put our individual and collective efforts forward, I trust we will also bring the best of ourselves to our work, our profession, our network, and the world!

Stay tuned for more great events throughout the year. Invite your colleagues and friends that may be interested, from across the country and beyond! Event participants don’t need to be working in OD to join us. We are a community inspired to share the power of organization development.

Hold the Date: AGM

Annual General Meeting – June 16

AGM begins at 6:00pm. We welcome Yabome Gilpin-Jackson, PhD as our guest speaker. Yabome is an OD Professional with a mission to inspire the development of people and groups through transformative learning. A Leader, Consultant, Executive Coach, Facilitator and Scholar, Yabome is also the Chair of the Board of Trustees of the Organization Development Network.

Facilitating in a Virtual Context: From Presentation to Participation

By Catherine North ~ Catherine North Consulting & Coaching

With nearly all of our engagement experiences being online these days, many of us are feeling “Zoomed out.” Sitting in one spot, sometimes for hours at a time, while trying to remain fully present with our clients and colleagues, is hard to do!

Online tools that facilitate involvement and engagement of our online participants isn’t just nice to do, it’s become a must-do, to maintain our audience’s attention and involvement.

Digital workspaces, canvases and whiteboards are a fantastic way to engage a virtual audience. They can be shared in lieu of a PowerPoint slide deck, and allow the presenter to involve the audience to a much greater extent – beyond emoji responses, chats boxes and audience polls.

Different features are available depending on the platform you choose to use. Ten digital whiteboard solutions are reviewed and rated here.

My first experience of a virtual whiteboard was with Google Jamboard. The presenters shared their screen over Zoom, and at first, I thought they were simply sharing a PowerPoint Presentation. After the introductory slides, there was zero transition from Presentation to Participation. It was the click of a page. At one point, the facilitator realized he forgot to add a page/question, so he added a new page to the Jamboard in real time and carried on. It was brilliant!

The activity pages were pre-loaded with tables & headings. Zoom break-out groups were created, and each group found their assigned page and captured ideas on their assigned virtual page. Nothing was lost in transition. My fellow participants and I captured our ideas on virtual sticky notes, moved the notes around, resized them, and re-coloured them. I was fully engaged and fully involved.

When we reconvened, the activity pages were shared by the Zoom host and reviewed collectively, with each breakout group speaking to their virtual workspace. The final product was then saved and a link was shared.

For your next Zoom meeting, facilitate engagement, presence, insight and learning by switching from Presentation to Participation!

Seven reasons to use an interactive whiteboard or digital canvas:

    1. The presenter can easily switch from “presentation” to “participation”… It’s the click of a page.
    2. Presenters can pre-load activity pages with questions, tables, headings, etc.
    3. Participants can capture ideas on different activity pages with virtual sticky notes when they are assigned into break out / discussion groups
    4. Activity pages can be reviewed collectively (shared by Zoom host), and each breakout group can then speak to the visuals on their page
    5. In-the-moment adaptive action processes can be captured & shared in real time – facilitating transparency and accountability
    6. The final version can be shared with others through a digital link
    7. Digital workspaces eliminate the additional step of creating a report to summarize discussions. Simply tidy-up the canvas or whiteboard and share!

We’re on LinkedIn – 1000 Members and Growing!

Our mission is to provide a supportive learning community for OD Professionals to network with their peers and to engage in activities to enhance their professional development.

  • To have an impact on individuals, their workplace and community
  • To create awareness of the value of OD within the various communities in the province of BC.

Join us today on LinkedIn and be sure to join as a member for great member benefits.

Volunteer Opportunities

Gain experience, learn new skills, build your network and give back to the OD community. BCODN is looking for Board of Director volunteers. Positions include VP, Communications; VP, Community Engagement; Building Community Organizations Liaison and President.

Reach out to info@bcodn.org for more information. We’d love to hear from you!

Advertise with BCODN

It’s simple and easy to get your message out to the BCODN community.

  • On our website (a sidebar ad)
  • Email blast to our subscribers and members (e-blast)
  • Job postings page on our website.

Ads and job postings appear on our most-visited web pages and can be shared through e-blasts. Job postings are also included in seasonal newsletters. Click here to find out more.

2019-2020 Annual Report is Published

Posted on June 5, 2020June 5, 2020 by Kate Lane-Hill

2019-2020 BCODN Annual Report June 4 2020

Global Use of Self (UoS) Research Report – International Launch March 2020

Posted on March 7, 2020March 7, 2020 by Kate Lane-Hill

Researchers: Mee Yan Cheung-Judge, Ph. D and David W. Jamieson, Ph. D.

“The Use of Self (UoS) idea has been with the field of OD since its early founding, but has only small glimpses of conceptual grounding. Most of the learning and sharing was derived through practice and experience. Little clarifying work has been published and almost no research has been done. Many have learned about it and grown their Use of Self practice through mentoring and passed-down-wisdom from the founders and senior practitioners”.

“From the wealth of the definitions of Use of Self, we consider Use of Self…when we use what we know about ourselves…to positively impact the current situation through providing service, helping change, and assisting others.”

Read this fascinating global research report which looks at patterns and themes in UoS, and grounds UoS theory and practice within data to remove the vagueness and abstraction currently associated with the concept.

Click here to view the Global Use of Self (UoS) Research Report.

 

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