Accessible Leadership

Hello Everyone!

Helen House here ~ Co-Active Coach, Leader, and have-an-impact enthusiast.  On behalf of Co-Active Leaders around the globe, I'm launching this fundraising campaign in memory of Art Shirk to purchase a UTV (4 seat all terrain vehicle) to donate to the Bend of Ivy,
CTI 's North Carolina (eastern US) retreat location. 

Bend of Ivy is a gorgeous retreat center nestled in the Blue Ridge Mountains.  The Ivy River flows through the extensive property.  High meadows, deep valleys, forests and a pond give participants access to nature in all her glory during each of the 4 seasons over the 10 month program.    

Art Shirk,  our beloved co-leader passed away in January of 2017.  Art inspired leadership wherever he went.  In the last two years of his life, his access to all that Bend of Ivy  has to offer became severely limited as IPF took its toll on his lungs.  When access is limited for one, it's limited for all.  Though individuals can roam the land in their free time, if one leader or participant has physical limitations which make navigating the terrain too difficult, the whole group becomes limited.  

When I was a child, my parents created a project that worked with children with Cerebral Palsy based on the innate wholeness and potential within each of those kids.  That work changed how I see the world.  When I've had the honor to lead courses with someone who is differently abled as a participant, everyone grows.  Having a location that limits accessibility for some limits opportunity for all.   We can do something about that!

Our goal is to raise $15,000 by September 1st, 2017.  This amount will cover the cost of the vehicle we've chosen in collaboration with Bend of Ivy that will most meet the unique needs of both Bend of Ivy and our program, as well as cover the Gofundme fees.  The UTV will be donated to Bend of Ivy and CTI will have full access to it as needed.   

At CTI, we believe that Everyone is a Leader, that Leaders are those who are responsible for their world.  (And by the way, we're ALL responsible for our world!)  

We create our world.  
Everyday.  
Together.  

This fundraiser will make Leadership training at this, our location with the most severe terrain, accessible to a far more diverse population.   

The last Leadership program Art led was a group called The Ferrets.  I was on hold as back up leader from before the program began, in case Art's health kept him from leading.  Art died days before the Ferrets last retreat took place.  After spending a week leading in his stead, I knew I had to do something to honor him.  When I reached out to John Gatto, Art's beloved husband and now widower, to get his permission to do this fundraiser in Art's honor, he said "Nature is one of the places that Art felt most connected to the Divine. He obviously loved leadership and he certainly came to have great empathy for those who were restricted by physical limitations. I can't see any reason not to do it! "
  

We believe that nature is one of the finest teachers about most everything in life.   It's also a place we can turn to recover ourselves back to our Leadership when we lose our way or become depleted.  As we look to the future of growing Co-Active Leadership in our hungry world, this is one small yet potent way to broaden our reach, and honor the huge contribution Art had on the growth and development of Co-Active Leadership globally.

On behalf of CTI, Bend of Ivy, John Gatto, and all of the future co-active leaders and those they impact ~ THANK YOU!  Any contribution you make will be greatly appreciated and wisely used.  

With love and gratitude,

Helen