Returning to the Retreat at Killam's Point - September 24, 2004
At our 2004 Annual Retreat at Killam's Point, Saturday afternoon found advocates split into various teams. The teams were given one egg (raw), six plastic straws, one roll of scotch tape and a handful of toothpicks. The egg represented a person in need of an advocate, the straws and the toothpicks represented the flexibility and strength one needs as an advocate to be effective and productive. The roll of tape represented the mental health bureaucracy. The one rule was that the tape was not to touch the egg. The goal was to create a secure protection of the egg using the other materials so if the egg was to "fall through the cracks" please forgive the pun-it would not break or crack.
The teams were assembled with the products and the process began. Amid sharing ideas and enthusiasm, clarifying the task and vision, members worked together. Some identified as take charge leaders, others followers or team players-some just observers. Offering ideas, negotiating plans and strategies some were idea people, others hands on people. Sometimes conflicts among members of a team arose-others were able to resolve the conflicts. All this in the span of 30 minutes for the task!! At that point teams would bring the egg to the test. Standing with the egg, dropping it from knee level to the ground hoping it would not break or crack. The first team's egg fell apart when handed to the judge and needed redesigning; the second team dropped and proceeded to break in half. It was later stated that the advocates took it for emergency crisis treatment; the next "good egg" fell to the ground with only a slight crack and remaining somewhat intact. Sometimes in our system that's the best it's cracked up to be. The third team went back to give the egg some needed readjustment. Members of the team conflicted and expressed frustration. Unfortunately this last egg never got a chance to go for the test.
This exercise demonstrated a lot about advocacy. A person needing an advocate can have different opportunities depending on the people involved and the skills, resources they posses. It showed how difficult working together can be at times. It showed that team effort needs to be concise/focused and united. It showed how eggs, perceptions, limitations, judgments can hinder the processes. It taught us the need to listen, not judge or have a preconceived agenda, or mind-set, to support each other by being true to what we believe as advocates and doing the best we can. It showed that at least making attempts with the right heart was better then no attempt at all. It showed that sometimes even with all the right supports, the egg still breaks. As advocates we can only do the best we can with the knowledge and skills possessed and sometimes that just doesn't work. Working together, joined together in unity of purpose, speaking up for better services for all people in recovery.
~ Submitted by Vicki Jene
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A special thanks to the volunteers that provided assistance with transportation, activities, and clean-up. Thanks for making the event successful! See you next year!