Summary of the Advance

							Temple Israel Ottawa                                                 Retreat November 2, 2008.


            Temple Israel Ottawa Board-Committee Mini-Retreat
              Sunday, November 2, 2008. (9:30 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.)
                            at Carleton University

                             Summary of the Advance*
Background:
As part of our efforts to begin a process of healing and renewal, and to broaden our leadership
circle, The Executive Committee convened a gathering of people serving on the board and
committees with the hopes of:
     • strengthening the links among and between the board and committees;
     • exploring leadership themes and developing a shared understanding of what leadership
         means for our sacred community; and
     • providing some basic information about four priority areas

Priority Areas:
While the work of all committees is important and essential to our vibrancy, the board of directors
identified five priority areas for the coming year and decided to address the first four during the
retreat:

    1.   Governance and the Constitution
    2.   The Future of the Building
    3.   Finances and Fund Raising
    4.   Life Long Learning
    5.   Human Resources

Planning and Engagement:
Board members and committee chairs were asked to spread the word to those they worked with
and to actively encourage people to participate. A small planning group of two board members
(Paula Speevak Sladowski and Annette Werk), one committee chair (Michael Parkin), Heather
Cohen, Executive Director, and Rabbi Garten met to develop the key themes and format. A total
of 28 people attended with representation from all committees including 14 out 17 board members.

Format:
In addition to the informal networking between activities, the day was divided into four structured
components which are described in the pages that follow:

    a.      Setting the Context – What is Leadership?
    b.      Leadership at Temple Israel
    c.      Priorities Panel
    d.      Healing and Moving Forward


*Since the “retreat” was being planned to help move things forward, it was felt that the event ought
to be known as an “advance” (Martin Gordon, 2008)


                                                                                                  1
Temple Israel Ottawa                                                 Retreat November 2, 2008.


a)       Setting the Context
Steve Mendelsohn welcomed those present thanking them investing their time and leadership into
Temple. He shared his views on current priorities and challenges that we are experiencing. Rabbi
Garten provided his insights into leadership within the context of a sacred community. Robbie
Giles, community consultant, shared his wisdom on leadership trends, styles, and approaches.
Quoting a number of sources, he summarized that leaders are:
         Highly Passionate
         Clearly articulate a vision
         Are not embarrassed to stand up and make it happen
(Please see Leadership Theory References attached, prepared by Mary Rosenberg, 2005)

b)       Leadership at Temple Israel
Michael Parkin designed and facilitated an exercise whereby participants worked in groups to
identify the leadership and management qualities, skills, and behaviours then indicated what they
are currently contributing and what Temple needs more of.
(A detailed report on this activity will be distributed shortly)

c)      Priority Panel:
Annette Work, panel moderator, set the context for this session. She emphasized that the purpose
was to hear some basic information about the status of some of the issues that have been pending
for a while in order to bring them back on the table. We heard briefly from each committee chair
and had the opportunity to ask for clarification. Discussions and deliberations about the issues
themselves will be held at a follow-up retreat, after the Annual General Meeting in January.

Life Long Learning: Nathalie Thibault-Garber discussed the implications of the Life Long Learning
Report that was tabled in the spring of 2008, highlighting the fact that significant resources would
be need to fully implement the recommendations. She received some information about position
descriptions and salary ranges from the educational consultant of the Union of Reform Judaism
and a salary and benefits package would be between $100 – 120,000. Until our financial capacity
has been determined, she suggested that a starting point might be to convene the chairs of
Outreach, Adult Education, School, and Youth committees to collaborate and co-ordinate their
work. The success of re-establishing the School Committee, after a two year period, was
recognized. (Please see Life Long Learning Report attached).

Governance and the Constitution: Paula Speevak Sladowski provided an overview of the
Governance Committee’s report from 2007, whereby they concluded that challenges we faced
were not due to the structure itself but with the understanding and following of our governance
model. Some recommendations made included having an ongoing Governance Committee to
actively promote good practices and some constitutional amendments. She felt that this was best
accomplished through personal contact between the board and committee chairs and by providing
regular educational sessions at board meetings. A Constitution Review Committee has been
established and will be coming forward with recommended amendments in December. (See
Constitution Review Committee Progress Report and Governance Committee Report attached).

The Future of the Building: Heather Evenchick reviewed the efforts that have been made over
the past few years to explore the various options regarding our building, including feasibilities
studies, needs assessments, and building appraisals, and congregational meetings. The three


                                                                                                  2
Temple Israel Ottawa                                                   Retreat November 2, 2008.


options that have been considered are (1) selling the building and buying/building a new one; (2)
staying where we are with a plan to renovate and expand on our existing property; and (3) stay
where we are and carry out necessary repairs and basic maintenance. The committee will be
meeting shortly to review these options, however, in the short term, given our financial situation; it
was felt that we would continue to maintain our current building.

Finances and Fund Raising: Rodney Capstick provided an overview of our current financial
situation and some of the recent events and activities that have had an impact. Last year, we
carried out $100,000 in unanticipated capital expenses, which included replacing the air
conditioning and the front door. Our fund raising goal of $20,000 was not achieved. This year, our
transition to the new membership fee structure has created a drop in revenue. This means that we
need to actively follow up with members who paid significantly less than in previous years to
secure their additional financial support and we must seriously undertake fund raising activities. A
revised budget will be brought to the board.

d)      Healing and Moving Forward
People were asked to work in pairs and share their reflections on the following three questions with
the boundaries set that no names or specific incidents be referred to:

        What are we healing from?
        What is blocking our path forward?
        What do you we need to do to clear the path?

People shared with the larger group their thoughts on what is need to move forward:

Be clear
Be patient
Learn to listen
Follow through
Learn to forgive
Support each others efforts
Communicate what is going on
Be open – bring issues to the table
Intentionally strengthen relationships
Activate the Human Resources Committee
Create clarity and structure to support the role of committees
Explain decisions that are made (i.e. membership re-structuring)
Let’s get to know our sacred community and tell our story to ourselves

Follow-up: This summary, along with all reports referenced will be circulated to participants. A
template (attached) for board committee communication will also be distributed to committee
chairs, with follow-up meetings. Clarity regarding the changes in membership structure will be
provided in the next bulletin. The nominating committee shall consider the leadership qualities
identified at the retreat in their deliberations. Plans for a more in-depth retreat will be undertaken
and shared shortly. All participants were encouraged to follow up with other board and committee
members on specific issues, ideas, or concerns they may have. Again, our hope is that this is the
beginning of our healing and renewal process and will continue to give it energy and space.


                                                                                                    3