Courage to Lead: A Seasonal Retreat for Leaders in Education and Other vocations

The question most frequently asked in leadership development programs is the "what" question - what are the tasks of leadership? Sometimes more specifically, what are the tasks of leadership that make it different than management?

When the conversation continues, we ask the "how" question - how do leaders effectively accomplish their tasks? What are the interpersonal skill or or capacities that enable individuals to effectively build and maintain relationships, create alignment, and deal with rapid change?

Occasionally, the conversation goes the next step and we ask the "why" question - for what purpose, or to what end, do we lead?

But seldom, if ever, do we ask the "who" question. Who is the self that engages in leadership? How does this self impact the practice of leadership, for good and bad?

- Paraphrased and adapted from the Introduction to The Courage to Teach by Parker J. Palmer

Exploring the inner aspect of life leads to leadership with integrity

Courage to Lead has been carefully designed to help leaders from education and other fields answer the "who" question of leadership. It is rooted in the belief that effective leadership flows from the identity and integrity of the individual. The renewal work is framed by questions such as: "How can I engage in leadership roles and be true to myself?" "In what ways are my inner life and outer work connected?" "What are the forces that nourish or constrain my soul?" and "How can I find joy and fulfillment in my leadership roles and activities?"

A cohort of 25 - 30 leaders committed to personal and professional growth and renewal gather for five quarterly retreats over an 18-month period. In large-group, small-group and solitary settings, leaders explore personal leadership by making use of stories from their own journeys, reflection on experiences in their leadership or vocational setting, themes of the seasons, insights from poets, story tellers, and diverse wisdom traditions. Participants are invited to speak honestly about their lives and work and to listen and respond to each other - and to themselves - with compassion and encouragement.

"A leader is someone with the power to project either shadow or light onto some part of the world and onto the lives of the people who dwell there...A good leader is intensely aware of the interplay of inner shadow and light, lest the act of leadership do more harm than good." - Parker J. Palmer, PhD, Let Your Life Speak

Disciplines of personal leadership such as reflection, journaling, silence, deep listening and solitude will be encouraged throughout the series.

Topics for exploration include:

• Gifts and limitations,
• Integration of life and work,
• New ways of listening,
• Dealing with complexity,
• The power of paradox,
• Shadow and light of leadership,
• Movement model of change,
• The power of silence,
• Asking the right questions,
• Power of story,
• Knowing when to let go, and
• Birthright gifts.
  

Download an application (Acrobat Reader pdf).

Location of Retreats
The weekend residential retreats are held at Briarwood Retreat Center in Argyle, Texas. The evening/day retreats are held at Camp Broadway on Eagle Mountain Lake. These locations provide serene and secluded settings on several acres - away from everyday distractions, inspiring creative thinking and meaningful exchange.

Retreat Calendar
The Fall 2004 retreat and Winter 2006 retreat will begin at 6 p.m. on Thursday and end by 3 p.m. on Saturday. The other retreats will be held from 6 p.m. - 9 p.m. on Thursday and 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. on Friday. Retreats follow the seasons.

FALL: October 21 - 23, 2004 (Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to Saturday, 3:00 p.m.)
WINTER: January 13 & 14, 2005 (Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
SPRING: May 5 & 6, 2005 (Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
SUMMER: August 25 & 26, 2005 (Thursday, 6:00 - 9:00 p.m. and Friday, 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.)
Final WINTER weekend retreat: date to be determined (Thursday, 6:00 p.m. to Saturday, 3:00 p.m.)

Participant Fee
The cost for participation is $1,475 for the entire retreat series including overnight accommodations (double-occupancy when residential), meals and program fees. Single-occupancy lodging for the two weekend retreats is available for an additional $160. Principals or other preK-12 educators from the greater Tarrant area have a reduced fee of $1,125 due to underwriting from the community. A deposit of $125 is required with registration and will be applied to participant fee.

To ensure that costs do not prohibit participation, the following options are available:

• Payment in installments, if requested,
• MasterCard and Visa are accepted,
• Some scholarship assistance may be available.

It is our hope that schools, school districts, and other institutions will assist in providing this opportunity for personal and professional development.

Retreat Leadership
Retreats are led by facilitators trained by the Center for Teacher Formation, a national organization charged with the development of Courage to Teach for educators and, more recently, with other leaders as well.


Continuing Professional Education Credit, PDAS Certificates -
CEU's are available through TCU for an additional charge of $10 for the series. Approval is pending for CEU's for educators and social workers.

Registration Deadline-
Please register by September 1, 2004.

Download an application (Acrobat Reader pdf).

"The knowledge that I received from this opportunity has motivated me to encourage and provide release time for our administrative team and numerous teachers to attend TCCTT offerings."

- Participant and high School Principal

This is an incredible experience, learning far deeper self-awareness through group contact with great people in our community. It turns out life can be much more than a blurred, mind-numbing, fast-paced, goal-oriented existence. Thanks for the help in getting off the soul-grinding treadmill and back on the path of a larger awareness and wellness."

- Participant and Senior Staff, Municipal Government