Leading for Change in Challenging Times:
A Workshop for Personal and Strategic Leadership
“This week gave me clarity and direction for the next steps both professionally and personally. I feel empowered with specific tools for success to implement my ambitions while setting boundaries. I have a better understanding of leadership and how to move away from antiquated styles of leadership that are ineffective.” Participant, 12/22
Flathead Lake - University of Montana Biological Station
Sept 11 - 16, 2023
The Workshop
Our program begins with dinner and welcome events on the evening of Monday September 11th and will end late Friday night, September 15th, with a closing ceremony, before departing from Yellow Bay Saturday morning, September 16th.
The Program
Leading for Change is not just a five-day workshop retreat, it is an opportunity for individualized coaching, bespoke organizational and personal support, and development of new friendships, mentors and cohort partners. We begin with participant interest assessments in a short call or video chat, and we offer a second coaching call at greater length with strategic resources and planning for the workshop. The workshop retreat includes individualized coaching sessions with each trainer, and development of a follow up personal action plan. Following the retreat, participants may take advantage of on-going coaching and technical support, as well as resources and referrals from extensive national and international networks. The program includes:
- Interactive exercises to help refine and develop your personal leadership style
- Individualized coaching to help you achieve your goals
- Contemporary social change framework analysis and discussion
- Guided journaling and supported reflection
- Organizational development workshops, tailored to participants’ needs
- Guest programming from area environmental activists, indigenous leaders, community organizers, and local experts.
- Opportunities to enjoy the natural environment or explore the surroundings through hiking, swimming, kayaking, and stargazing.
Instructors
Secky Fascione, is an experienced senior organizer and progressive movement builder in the areas of community, labor, climate, and donor organizing. She works as an executive and organizational development coach and thought partner including in areas of personal leadership, Board support, fundraising planning, and strategic program development.
Bryony Schwan, is a certified executive and leadership coach and organizational development consultant with over 30 years of experience as an environmental and social justice organizer. She was the co-founder and Executive Director of The Biomimicry Institute and Women’s Voices for the Earth
Accomodation & Logistics
The workshop will be held at the University of Montana’s Biological Research Station at Yellow Bay on the eastern shore of Flathead Lake in Montana. For those participants coming from afar, you can fly into either Missoula (a 90-minute breathtaking drive through the Flathead Lake Valley) or into Kalispell (a 40-minute drive away). Participants are responsible for travel to and from Yellow Bay, Montana; information and support for car pooling and scheduling is available. Participants are welcome to schedule additional time in Montana on either end and we are happy to provide information about fun things to do in the area. Accommodations include simple cabins with two single beds and a shared bath house. The cabins are close to the shore with sweeping views of the lake. Meals will be held in the dinning hall or on the deck.
Cost
The workshop and wrap-around support program is $1,500 per participant, exclusive of travel costs. We also offer a support rate of $2,000 where $500 of your registration goes to support a partial scholarship for a colleague who may not otherwise be able to afford to participate. The cost includes advance coaching and counseling with personalized resources and referrals, the five-day workshop in Montana with three meals each day, recreational opportunities, cabin lodging, and post-workshop coaching and consulting. A small discount is available for double occupancy cabins. Note that alcoholic beverages are welcome but not provided. We are happy to consult with organizations seeking to fundraise for this professional development investment, or work with agency requirements for program approvals.Partial scholarships may be available at a later date, space and resources permitting. To inquire about scholarships, contact Secky or Bryony.
Herstory
Leading for Change was piloted in December 2022 at the Center for Cultural Transformation at Brave Earth in Costa Rica with a dozen women representing four countries, including geographic, ethnic, and racial diversity from across the U.S. Following the pilot training, participants reported concrete outcomes, such as:
Courageous conversations led to changes in supervisor behavior or improved job clarity and support for some participants in environmental, climate, and energy organizations
After receiving coaching and technical editing for development of a strategic non-profit consulting business, one participant moved her business dream forward and gained early clients from the workshop cohort
One participant received pro-bono grant writing support for her non-profit organization dedicated to Black voter engagement
Several participants reported making big career or life-change decisions they had previously been hesitant to do
Many participants reported adapting journaling, meditation, and breathing exercises into their daily routines to help maintain balance and a sense of self
“This week was an important opportunity for me to step out and reflect on my life in a structured way. I’m generally an introspective person but the new mental frameworks for understanding my tendencies and interactions with others was extremely helpful and I know they will improve my leadership and my own life. I especially enjoyed applying this in an organizational context, like building blocks. Connecting with other women in various stages of life was amazing and something I realize I want to do more of. I’m feeling very grateful! I am also in awe and appreciation for the power of good facilitation and how it can help us uncover.”
Bryony Schwan, M.S.
Certified Associate Integral Coach®
Swan Consulting
Better@bryonyschwan.com
All the photographs on this site are Bryony’s.
See more of her photography here
Copyright 2023
Bryony Schwan Consulting
Missoula, Montana
Copyright 2023 – Bryony Schwan Consulting – Missoula, Montana