Friday May 18 , 2012

The Idea

The transformation to being a project leader always seems a daunting, if not worrisome, journey. Planning, executing, and sustaining a two-week long project can be overwhelming just by thinking about it. Yet, this overwhelming process contains countless opportunities for project leaders to learn and grow as service leaders.

To help them through the first few steps of this transformative journey, each year SEALNet organizes a 3-day Service Leadership Retreat for new breed of project leaders, where we (yes, project leaders and facilitators alike – it's a mutual learning process) explore the concept of service leadership and principles of being co-leaders together. Also, as a bonus, the weekend serves as a bonding space for SEALNutters from across the continent and generations, and a time when the older generations of project leaders can pass the torch and support on to the new ones.


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The Activities

Activities covered in the retreat differ from year to year, with the aim of providing a most appropriate learning space for project leaders (and facilitators) to explore the concept of service leadership and of working together as co-leaders. Through series of experiential workshops ranging from brainstorming ideas in the seminar room to navigating the maze in the woods blindfolded, project leaders are pushed to bring out the best in themselves and come together as a coherent unit to find a way to success. Through evenings of bonding time in front of the fireplace listening to stories from professional mentors and sharing their own stories, project leaders are reminded of why they are here, and what it means to be a part of SEALNet family. Loving kindness, warm support, and long-lasting friendship among other things are shared here during this weekend.

Retreat 2010

9 project leaders, many SEALNet core members, professional mentors and alums came together in January for the Retreat 2010, which was organized at a secluded Westminster Woods Retreat Center in Occidental, California under the facilitation and guidance from Hung Nguyen and Trent Walker. Participants spent the weekend bonding, playing, learning, and exploring the SEALNet's unique model of leadership together. The retreat marked the official first step for 2010 project leaders on their journey, and left behind a long-lasting memory for all present.

Acknowledgment

The Retreat 2010 could not have been successful without:
  • Trent Walker and Hung Nguyen for their support for SEALNet over the years and for putting together and facilitating this awesome retreat
  • Chanya Punyakumpol and Andrew Plan for their support for the Leadership team in setting this up
  • All professional mentors for their presence and inspirational stories that help remind everybody of why we were there
  • Hiep Nguyen and Circle Painting for giving us a taste of the amazing activity that teaches us what it means to "lead and follow" in silence at the same time
  • All SEALNet core members for shaping the year's timeline and giving guidance to project leaders on what the next steps arePast project leaders and their "secret activity" that left all the new project leaders in tears.
  • And of course, all the new project leaders for stepping up to lead projects, and for whom this retreat was created