The 2017 Transformational Presence Global Leadership Gathering

In 2013, Alan created the first Transformational Presence Global Summit, a four-day event where graduates of the TPLC and TPLA programs from around the world could come together, continue to learn from him and from each other, and continue evolving Transformational Presence work in the world.

For 2017, the name of the event was changed from “Global Summit” to the Transformational Presence Global Leadership Gathering. The Gathering is led by Alan and members of the Transformational Presence Community. It’s a time and place to:

• reconnect to the energy of Transformational Presence
• deepen your own personal presence
• rejuvenate your spirit
• learn new tools and approaches
• deepen your leadership and coaching awareness and skills
• clarify your next steps as a Transformational Presence leader and coach
• connect to and co-create for collaborative projects with Transformational Presence colleagues from around the world

*This event is open to graduates of the Transformational Presence: Leadership and Coach Training Program and graduates of the Transformational Presence: Leadership in Action program.

Logistical arrangements are coming together for our next Global Leadership Gathering at Kantara Retreat Center, the beautiful home and property of Karen Montealegre near San José in Costa Rica. The dates are: Tuesday – Thursday, January 22 – 24, 2019.

Because January is the high tourist season, hotels were already filling up for the weekend dates. So that’s why our Gathering will be in the middle of the week. Perhaps this also allows you to have a few days before and after the Gathering to explore Costa Rica. Kantara is centrally located, so, for example, it would be easy to spend a few days in the mountains before the Gathering, and then go to the seashore (Atlantic or Pacific!) after.

Registration for the 2019 Gathering will officially open in January 2018. In the meantime, open the toggle boxes below to find details that will be helpful as you consider planning a trip.

Two primary committees form the planning and logistics team for the Global Gatherings: the Core Planning Committee and the Gathering Stewards.

The Core Planning Committee—This group of 6 people, along with Alan and Kim, co-create and plan the programming aspects of the Gathering. Of the two groups, this group requires the greatest commitment of time and energy. The Core Committee meets via Zoom every few weeks throughout the year prior to the event. In addition, there are sometimes smaller group planning meetings in between the full group calls.

Core Committee members are asked to commit to being fully engaged in the planning process and to attend the Gathering in January 2019.

The Gathering planning is done through a Potential-Based process using many tools and concepts of Transformational Presence. Serving on this committee has proven to be a rich and rewarding experience with great learning and growth for all committee members.

If there are more than 6 volunteers, selection preference is given to those who have attended at least one previous Gathering or Summit and/or those who have been actively engaged in the Transformational Presence community.

Global Gathering Stewards—This group of 5-10 people plays a vital role in supporting the work of the Core Program Committee through the planning process as well as holding space and energy at the Gathering. They meet via conference call 3 – 4 times during the 8 – 10 months leading up to the Gathering. While we certainly hope that all of the Stewards will attend the Gathering, attendance is not required. Being a Steward for the Gathering is a great opportunity to provide feedforward on the program as it develops and to play a key role in keeping a pulse on the energy during the Gathering itself.

The 2019 Core Planning Committee members, including Alan and Kim, are:
Cindy Aldrich (USA), Sascha Krijger (Netherlands), Karen Montealegre (Costa Rica), Sander van Eekelen (Netherlands), Gabriella van Rooij (Netherlands), Joanna Zawada-Kubik (Poland)

The 2019 Global Stewards are:
Kate Harper (USA), Geert Hofman (Germany), Peggy MacArthur (USA), Connie Milligan (USA), Joel Mitchell (France), Bevin Niemann (USA), Josephine van den Bogaard (Netherlands), Francis van Dusseldorf (Ghana), Caroline Veerman (Netherlands) and Marga Wijman (Netherlands)

Travel to San José and Kantara

The main airport for international travel is San José International Airport. There are direct flights to San José from several major North American and European airports.

From the San José International Airport, you can take a taxi to Kantara or to the nearby hotels. The taxi ride is approximately 30 – 45 minutes, depending on traffic. The taxi fare is likely to be approximately $30 – $50 USD.

Please note that traffic in Costa Rica is a significant consideration for travel times. The road system structure has not kept up with the exponential increase in the volume of traffic. So travel time will likely be longer for travel distances than you might expect within your own country.

Hotel

We have negotiated blocks of rooms at the Hotel Villa Los Candiles (see the website below) that is approximately 20 – 30 minutes from Kantara by shuttle van or car. They will begin accepting reservations from our group in January 2018. Make sure to mention the TP Global Gathering when making your reservation. Participants are responsible for their own hotel reservations and payments directly to the hotel. Please note that participants are also welcome to find other lodging on their own.

Hotel Villa Los Candiles – approximately 20 – 30 minutes drive from Kantara, depending on traffic.

Please note that traffic is a significant consideration in travel times in Costa Rica. The road system has not been able to keep up with the exponential increase in the volume of traffic. So travel time will likely be longer for travel distances than you might expect within your own country.

Shuttle Van Service To and From Kantara

Shuttle van service twice each day (morning and evening) between Kantara and Hotel Villa Los Candiles is included in your registration fee. If you choose to stay in other hotels, you will need to make your own travel arrangements to and from Kantara during our Gathering days.

Registration for the January 2019 Global Leadership Gathering is officially open!
Due to the capacity of the facilities at Kantara Retreat Center, registration has closed at 40 participants. A waiting list has been created as cancellations are likely. 

2019 Global Leadership Gathering registration fee:

• before May 31, 2018—$525 USD
• after May 31, 2018—$625 USD

The registration fee includes:

• Full participation in the 3-day Leadership Gathering
• 3 mid-day buffets and 3 light evening suppers
• morning and afternoon coffee breaks
• shuttle van service morning and evening between Kantara and our two selected hotels
• both structured coaching time and unstructured connection time with the horses for those who wish
• enjoying the grounds of Kantara, the labyrinth, the views across the canyon and waterfall, and the beautiful healing ambiance of this very special place

Download the Registration Form

Please note that airfare and hotel accommodations are not included in your registration fee.

Registration fees are calculated based on our anticipated costs at Kantara and covering administrative support. We design the budget to cover all costs and have just enough left over to cover the necessary deposits for the following year’s Global Gathering venue. This allows us to keep the registration fee as low as possible in hopes that all who wish to join us are able to do so.

If you wish to enjoy an extended holiday in Costa Rica before and/or after the Gathering, Celeste Carballo at the Villa Los Candiles is happy to assist you with arrangements. She can be reached via email at frontdesk@hotelvillaloscandiles.com.

Transformational Presence: Shift Happens
Reflections on the 2017 Transformational Presence Global Leadership Gathering
by Alan Seale

Forty Transformational Presence graduates from six countries in the Americas and Europe came together June 21 – 24 in Chester, Connecticut, USA for our 2017 Global Leadership Gathering. Some came out of curiosity – they had heard about this event from their colleagues and wanted to experience it themselves. Others came longing for a sense of community and connection as they navigate this uncertain world. Still others came because they had attended this event in previous years and couldn’t wait to be in the physical presence of this community again.

On the first day, one participant said to me, “I can’t not be here.” Another said, “Not coming was not an option.” And another commented, “I’ve been waiting for this day ever since we left here last year.” Previously called the Transformational Presence Global Summit, this was the fifth year for this event – three years in the Netherlands and the last two years in the U.S.

Many were curious about our theme: Leading From Fierce Gentleness and Ferocious Love. We talked a lot about the Great Breaking Open and the new skills and capacities that are essential for effective leadership in today’s rapidly changing world.

The 2017 Transformational Presence Global Leadership Gathering

Through experiential exercises, we explored the meaning of “fierce gentleness” and “ferocious love” within the context of today’s challenges and opportunities. We practiced embodying Transformational Presence in action as it related to our own projects and visions. We looked at the different “edges” we are facing, both individually and collectively, as we live into who we are called to be and what we are called to do. We took steps forward in crossing those edges. And we grew in our understanding that crossing edges is a process, not necessarily a one-time thing.

We faced fears, challenged assumptions, embraced uncertainty, stepped into potential, and took steps forward. By the end of our three and a half days together, we had all expanded our collaboration networks. Everyone had begun significant conversations and established potent heart and soul connections with colleagues that will continue in the months ahead. And on the last day, everyone asked at least three of their colleagues to support them in specific ways between now and our next Global Gathering.

I am always impressed by the presence and dynamic engagement within this community. Yet this time, the engagement seemed even deeper. Many people commented on the generosity of spirit, the profound presence of many of the participants, the openness we experienced with one another, the relaxed atmosphere, and the tangible support available to all. It was a space where everyone felt safe to learn and grow. There was a focus on the care of the whole group, while at the same time, caring for the whole of the individuals. Just being there and fully participating was already transformative.

Early morning labyrinth walk – a gently powerful way to start the day

Through our Global Summits and now the Global Gathering, both the Transformational Presence community and the event itself continues to evolve in such an organic way. My original intention for these gatherings was to create a time and place for Transformational Presence graduates to learn from one another, to grow together, to deepen friendships and connections, to inspire and ignite collaborative projects across country borders, and to evolve the work of Transformational Presence in the world. This is what is happening. It is humbling and incredibly gratifying to witness. I am blessed; we are blessed.

Through the 2017 Global Gathering, it became even clearer to me that, at the most fundamental level, our work in Transformational Presence is about lifting up of the human spirit. The ongoing Great Breaking Open all over the world at every level of society is fueled by the breaking open of the human spirit. As the human spirit breaks open, we witness the full range of human emotion – from rage, anger, fear, and despair, to profound hope, courage, compassion, and love. We witness acts of violence and terror as well as acts of service and heroism. It’s a very messy time, yet the human spirit is breaking out of its shell. And it needs every one of us to nurture it, care for it, support it, and lift it up to the light.

There were many, many joyful moments that brought a big smile to my face and occasionally tears to my eyes. However, on the last morning during a discussion about the essential elements of Transformational Presence work, graduate Tom Ellis summed up the power of this approach: Shift happens. That gave us all a great laugh! And yet there it is. That’s what this work is all about. And so, our new slogan:

Transformational Presence: Shift Happens

Thank you to all who were with us for the 2017 Global Gathering as well as to all who are an active part of this community. Together, we are helping to create a world that works.