Naramata Centre Update
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Naramata Centre Board of Directors Update
The last few years have been a time of opportunity and struggle for the centre. At times it seems as if we are taking two steps forward and one step back. Despite the pandemic, the board has been active and working on your behalf to build a sustainable and relevant Naramata Centre. We hope this update, although not providing you with all the details of the board’s work, will answer your questions about the status of the Centre and stir in you greater curiosity for our shared vision of the centre’s future.
Summer 2022
Joannie Kwok and the Program Committee have been hard at work developing Summer 2022! Look for exciting partnerships with some Pacific Mountain Region ministries, with a focus on enhancing our children and youth program offerings and adding some sacred nature-based experiences! Watch for more details and registration information coming over the next couple of weeks.
Strategic Planning Process
In October 2021, the full board came together in person at the Centre with staff to spend a weekend discerning the emerging vision for the future of Naramata Centre, kicking off a strategic planning process. Chris Corrigan of Harvest Moon Consulting designed and facilitated the retreat that looked at some of the key tensions facing the Centre and to develop some scenarios for plausible futures.
This time together proved to be extremely valuable in building relationships face to face and at the Centre itself… grounding and aligning the board in its work together.
Two very strong themes that emerged from this weekend are the importance of our connection to the United Church and Christian spiritual practices while we embrace diverse spiritual expressions that nurtures all people; and a focus on nature and earth-based spirituality, as you will see reflected in this summer’s program and community life offerings.
Please stay tuned for further updates as we continue this process and seek your input.
Executive Director Search
Finding the right person to lead such a dynamic organization as ours takes time. A search committee comprised of four Board members has been formed and we have engaged an executive search firm – Prospector Executive Search & Consulting – to identify potential candidates, screen them and prepare a list for the search committee to interview. Prospector brings a wealth of experience in the non-profit sector offering search, governance, and strategic advisory services. They have been busy at work this past month interviewing board members, staff and a few key stakeholders to get a really good feel for the role, the Centre and the community, in an effort to find the right fit to lead Naramata Centre on the next phase of its journey. Prospector will be involved throughout the process, which will take us into the Spring.
The Search profile is available on our website. Prospector is researching and actively pursuing candidates for preliminary review by the search committee. If you have any candidate ideas or leads, please direct them to Prospector.
We are excited about the future of Naramata Centre and keen to find the right leader to animate our mission.
Master Site Plan Update
The implementation of the Master Site Plan, developed through a collaborative process in 2019, continues to be a priority for the Board. To date, we have completed the sale of a portion of the Naramata Centre Beach to the RDOS to be retained as parkland and renovations and recertification of the Columbia Hall kitchen through our partnership with the Naramata Inn.
We had slated the campground washroom as another high priority, and we have completed design work on various options and locations for a new facility, but unfortunately, due to significantly increased costs and supply chain shortages, which has broadly impacted the construction industry, we have decided to defer this project at this time. We will devise an interim solution for gender-neutral and accessible options for this summer and welcome your feedback on how to meet your family’s needs.
Last year, a Master Wastewater Strategy for Naramata Centre was completed by Principle Architecture. This study included options that would require a significant upgrade to our existing septic system or looking at the potential alternative of a municipal wastewater system, owned and operated by the RDOS to support the Naramata Centre and local community. This option would remove the Centre from the role of ongoing management of a septic system. We continue to have discussions with the RDOS regarding the potential for a municipal wastewater system, which would provide increased flexibility and options to both our core and non-core lands. We will provide updates on this in the coming months.
We value your feedback and greatly appreciate the support of all who are involved with the Centre. Please feel free to reach out to the Board by emailing us at board@naramatacentresociety.org.
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Board Chair, on behalf of the Naramata Centre Board of Directors