25/09/2023
Empowerment Event 2023 took place 8am to 6pm Saturday. 💙💜❤️
Supported by approximately 25 people across ages and current socially defined sub groups. 💙💜❤️
Not as inclusive on the day as I'd hoped, simply because of lack of support from sub groups of society for whom provisions for additional need may be required which reduced the overall realistic inclusion I'd hoped for - I was aiming for as diverse a community on the day as possible. This was reduced in reality an example of rejection of this offer: one spokesperson from the Q***r defined community told me they would not promote the Event as it was "not relevant" for their contacts. I shall be evaluating this as I find this a quandary: how to make empowerment relevant to disempowered groups if they see it as irrelevant. 💙💜❤️
Collaborative from the beginning to the end. All inclusive as far as uptake went of this offer. The Event flowed into the community it was on the day as I released ownership and those collaborating allowed it to become what they all wanted. 💙💜❤️
Everyone involved felt they had learned about the collaborative process, and how it allows things to flow in cooperation when individuals relinquish control.💙💜❤️
Leadership skills and knowledge used; model of collaborative working piloted; networked with a very wide range of people about this event and future collaborations - all very keen to use models of working that are inclusive and collaborative. 💙💜❤️
Two negative parts in the entire process which revolved ultimately around people agreeing to support the ethos of the project but then in reality wanting to be paid for any input. Unfortunately my experience was that the two that brought that to the table, were both the least professional in how they behaved and I would not have contracted them to a paid fee even if that had been the point of the Event. However the sharing of resources was meant to be equal - a give and take situation. Especially as not for profit. Otherwise it would simply copy the hierarchical method which is the traditonal way of working but only allows those with money to put on events in the first place, and limits accessibility. Considering these less than successful attempts at collaborating will enable me to evaluate that process. 💙💜❤️
Event delivered on time and covered it's costs. There's no extra money for a fundraiser, BUT I have received so far 4 significant donations to use as fundraiser items so this can be progressed to start a fund to set up a Goddess Temple/Centre in Devon. 💙💜❤️
Thank you to Devonport Guildhall for it's beautiful space and the support from Amy of Real Ideas CIC who manage the heritage building. 💙💜❤️
Thank you to all who supported the Event and me - it's been such an important embedding of Leadership for me. 💙💜❤️
