Getting Nerdy
November 10, 2023 I By Katie Cox, Executive Director
Dear Friends of KLT,
Remember the week that we all absolutely froze to our core because we weren’t yet ready for the 19 degree weather that came at us at mach-10? The cold weather started the day after we had our all-staff retreat, thank goodness.
I feel like we must be in good graces to have somehow planned our outdoor retreat on such a glorious fall day. We centered our day on the land. The location was a new property that has recently been protected and we started the retreat with a hike. Of course we did – we are KLT!
This property is special. It consists of meadows, granite hillsides, big tall trees, a beaver pond and a layered history. We felt such privilege to gather here together to reflect back and forward on the year. We chose the perfect spot. Looking down on the pond, wrapped in sunshine, sharing a meal, and rich conversation.
There aren’t many days when we as a staff get to all be together. Given the nature of our work, people are always feathered out into the community. Dave may be at Pine Street Woods leading an outdoor day for a class, Regan out monitoring a conservation easement, Marcy leading a Health Hike and Kayla is, of course, in Montana. Time together like this is precious.
Every year we use this time to revisit our strategic vision. We speak and live into each word and determine if we need an edit. One additional word might just help articulate how a program or initiative has subtly changed over the year. We are not an organization that creates a plan and then leaves it on the shelf. We look to our vision document to make sure we are always walking forward in our work, goals, mission and future vision. Just to highlight what I am referring to, here is one change we made:
Pilot innovative partnerships and programs that engageinclude a broader cross-section of the community, identify needs and interests, and reduce barriers to participation.
Subtle right? One little word, but look how that sentence changes. Yes, we might be a little nerdy.
We also make sure to spend time looking at the successes of the past year. We must take time to pause and celebrate. As we bounced around the circle, noting items such as the timber frame workshop to construct the bell pavilion or three new outdoor educator positions at LPOSD, I quickly saw a theme. Of the 33 items we brainstormed as successes over the past year, each involved partnerships and collaborations at some level. What a reminder of the beautiful and simple quote by Helen Keller, “Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.”
Along with successes we also learn from things that challenge us. I can also look at those thirteen items on the list and for many the solution would be to work even closer with partners. For the unsolved challenges we will eventually turn them to successes by working together and bringing more minds to the table.
Did you know that you are right beside us at the table doing this work? We can feel your support, participation and celebration in every aspect of what we do. Your belief in the power of this work motivates us every day towards success.
That day on the side of the sun-soaked mountain, you were there surrounding us. As we walked down the hill toward our cars I think every single one of us felt gratitude for the day and for the impact we can all have when we work together. It’s so much more fun together!
Thank you for listening,
Katie
