Stanford Retreat 2006

Our retreat this year was held at Pajaro Dunes from Friday evening to Sunday afternoon. Under the guidance of our facilitators, Leng and Hung, the 18 SEALNet members present, including Kaori from Berkeley, gathered and bonded through various learning activities, sharing exercises, and of course, good food and loads of fun.

Things Learned

After a series of get-to-know-each-other activities, we embarked on some exercises that led us to appreciate the differences between the more extroverted and the more introverted people. We discovered ways to make the private parts of us more public, and we also found out more about each other's language of love.

Beyond such team dynamics activities, we also had long discussions about the stakes each of us had in SEALNet and in the projects, as well as the outcomes and impact that we wished to achieve. This was an extension of the creative tension that existed between the current reality that each of us perceived and the desired state each of us wanted. We were most privileged as well to hear of first hand experiences from well known social entrepeneur Michael Chertok. His sharing enlightened us on the trials and tribulations, as well as the motivation and rewards, of social enterprise.

Things Accomplished

At the retreat, we also came to a clearer understanding of SEALNet's goals and mission. Through an invigorating discussion on the beach, we came up with the following themes of SEALNet's Mission:

1. Fun
2. Leadership
3. Technology
4. Service
5. Network
6. Fundraising
7. Personal growth
8. Organizational sustainability

With a clear idea of what we wanted to do, we then set about thinking how to do what we wanted to do. Project specific roles were formed and assigned; these would involve the two main aspects of the trip (leadership training and technology) as well as the welfare and finances of the team.

Fun

The pictures say it all..

Karate Kid...

Ballroom dancing...

More dancing...

Our mentors...

All together...

More pictures can be found in the gallery.

Thanks/Praise/Acknowledgement

Thanks Jiun Haur for all your worrying, commitment, and for reminding me what a good friend is.

Thanks Leng, Kevin Teo, Kwee Bin, Hung, Kevin Siew and Viet for giving us the opportunity to share, support, and work towards a common vision.

Insightful conversations with Leng always brings me peace and encouragement.

I appreciate Nam for showing me the importance of learning no matter what the situation and environment I'm in.

- Tu

Not to forget, thanks to all the sisters (and brother) for the wonderful cooking, and the brothers (and sister) for the cleaning up after that. We had a wonderful time, and it certainly will get even better on the trips in summer!