Good to Great Program

Session One: May 2010

The first of three Learning Network gatherings that will a part of the 2010-2012 Good to Great program was held from Wednesday, May 26th to Friday, May 28th at the Harmony Dawn Retreat Centre just north of Cobourg, Ontario.

Staff and board members of the six participating environmental NGOs met to learn about organizational assessment and development and, in particular, to learn about the opportunities and challenges faced by their peers in other similar organizations. Status reports were shared through peer consulting/coaching where peers had a chance to not only learn about other organizations but provide feedback regarding possible solutions and remedial measures that might be undertaken.

The session was designed so that participants would walk away with significantly more clarity about the focus of their year long Direct Management Assistance projects which are set to begin in the subsequent months.

"The trust and connection created was remarkable."

"Finding real challenges and working on tangible solutions is invigorating! I feel like we can tackle this issue head on now!"

"(I appreciated) connecting with other executive directors, listening to their issues and realizing I'm not alone."

"Increased my awareness not only of my organization but created a positive environment to understand and connect with the ENGO sector."

"Appreciated the opportunity to reflect, relax, unwind, think and connect."

"The food was heavenly!! There are not enough words ... The facility is perhaps one of the best I've stayed at."

"The self-directed/group learning model was fantastic. This is my best retreat so far."

Resource Team

  • Dr. Gordon Ball
  • Paul Bubelis
  • Ken Ogilvie

Participants

Team LEAF

  • Janet McKay
  • Michelle Bourdeau
  • Amanda Gomm

Team BARC

  • Jim Hudson

Team Ottawa Riverkeeper

  • Meredith Brown
  • Natasha Wilson

Team Couchiching Conservancy

  • Mark Bisset

Team Centre for Sustainable Watersheds

  • Bob Sneyd
  • Matt Goodchild
  • Nancy Doucet

Team EcoSuperior

  • Ellen Mortfield
  • Brenda Ingram
  • Chris Walton

pdf iconSession Objectives and Agenda