Two-day retreat immerses aging services leaders in adaptive leadership learning

20 Rural Aging Initiative partners enhance leadership tools

A little more than two years ago, the Northland Foundation launched the Rural Aging Initiative, or RAI for short. RAI is a multi-faceted program to enhance the avenues in our region that support older adults to live full, meaningful lives with independence. One of the three main focus areas is to build capacity within the region’s network of aging services organizations, both formal and informal/volunteer-driven.

Capacity building took several forms: grant awards, peer learning, and trainings to build nonprofit leaders’ knowledge and spark new ideas for approaching their work with older adults, family members, staff, and communities.

On April 27th and 28th, executive directors, board members, and other program leaders from 20 different aging services organizations took part in a training retreat at Sugar Lake Lodge in Cohasset, MN. For a day and a half, they immersed themselves in the concept and practices of adaptive leadership.

Adaptive leadership takes a reflective approach to supporting employees, elders, and families through the often emotionally draining tasks of stretching limited financial and human resources to provide the best possible service for older adults.

“This training provided a strong framework for positive ways of dealing with the uncertainty and changing environment related to aging work,” stated Catherine Sampson, Director of the Arrowhead Area Agency on Aging, who participated in the retreat.

“Just being in a room with so many others who care so much about this region, its older adults, and caregivers was energizing,” Sampson continued. “None of us often have the opportunity to connect on this level and learn from each other.”

The retreat was led by Kathy Ogle and Val Ulstad of Partners at Cascade Bluff. Both are retired physicians who have established encore careers in coaching and leadership development.