2024 Leadership Summit: May 11, 2024 RECAP

Leadership Summit Recap - Colorado Mountain Club

Date: May 11, 2024
Location: Monument, Colorado

Event Overview

The recent Leadership Summit, hosted by the Colorado Mountain Club (CMC), took place in Monument, Colorado. This year’s event was spearheaded by Chief Education Officer Stacey Halvorsen and Education Director Graham Ottley, with the assistance of Mark Yeadon and Glenn Barr. This strategic choice to host the event in Montrose, Colorado, aimed to decentralize the event and make it more accessible to members outside the Denver Metro area.

Attendance and Representation

A total of 41 members attended the summit, representing groups from Denver, Pikes Peak, and El Pueblo. The event successfully attracted diverse participation, reflecting the club’s inclusive outreach efforts. Special acknowledgment goes to CMC Board Member Peter Hamilton for his attendance and contribution to the event.

Event Highlights and Schedule

The summit featured a blend of outdoor activities, learning sessions, and community building.

Morning Activities (8:00am - 12:00pm)

• Pre Event Hikes (RSVP REQUIRED):
  • Spruce Mountain Geocaching Hike
  • Palmer Lake Reservoir Hike
  • Leader in Training (LIT) Hike – Upper Limbaugh Canyon Out & Back

Lunch Break (12:00pm - 1:00pm)

• An excellent fajita lunch was provided for all attendees.

Afternoon Sessions (1:00pm - 4:30pm)

• Welcome, Agenda, Objectives & Norms, Introduction of New CEO (1:00-1:10)
• CMC Through the Years, FY23 Impact (1:10-1:20)
• CMC Business/Updates (1:20-1:30):
  • Trip Leader School
  • Permits
  • Wilderness First Aid (WFA)
  • Survey Results

• Powering Up Participation: Effective Marketing and Recruitment Strategies for Trips and Classes (1:30-2:00)
• Break (2:00-2:15)
• Cultivating Connection: Strategies for Building a Culture of Belonging and Improving Retention (2:15-3:10)

• Breakout Sessions (3:15-4:15):
  • Preventive Search and Rescue (PSAR) with Art Hogling
  • Trip Leader Process with Glenn Barr
  • Inclusive CMC Experience with Rolph & Jeff
  • Get Involved: Family Section Q&A with Stacey, Eric, and Dean
• Closing Reflection/Share (4:15-4:30)

Happy Hour (4:30 - 6:00pm)

• Hosted at Pikes Peak Brewing Co., this provided a relaxed setting for further networking and community building.

Summit Objectives

The summit aimed to achieve the following goals:

• Increase Participation: Discuss strategies to boost participation in trips and classes.
• Foster Belonging: Identify best practices to help participants feel included in programs.
• Enhance Facilitation: Share tips and tricks for improving both group and individual experiences.
• Community Building: Have fun, feel inspired through breakout sessions, and build a stronger community.

Looking Ahead

The success of the summit has set a positive tone for future events, with ongoing discussions about bringing the Leadership Summit to Northern Colorado in the fall. This continued effort to reach various regions underscores CMC’s commitment to inclusivity and community engagement.

LEADER RESOURCES

• EVENT SLIDE DECK
• Cultivating Connection: Strategies for Building a Culture of Belonging and Improving Retention (Stacey Halvorsen)
• Some Inclusion Resources (DEI Committee Members Rolf Asphaug / Jeff Flax)
• Preventative Search and Rescue "PSAR" (Art Hogling)
• For a visual recap of the event, check out the photos HERE.