2023: A Year In Review
“Let’s put an intention into the world and see how the universe responds.”
--Chris Nye
Just one year ago Springboard called together over Zoom leaders in “transformational learning” who “demonstrated a deep and inspiring vision for engaging young adults—mind, body and spirit—in a commitment to the well-being of the planet and the good life for all.” From the hesitant beginning of that initial meeting, the warmth and energy flowed. Leaders shared images, objects, and stories from their young-adulthoods that led them to the work they do today. They shared the joys and challenges of their current initiatives, and as the stories spilled out, the structure of the well-prepared meeting gave way and we hastily agreed to meet again over Zoom and later, in person at Seguinland Institute in Georgetown, Maine.
Six weeks later Convening planning began in earnest. Maurielle McGarvey came on as a part-time intern to support alum engagement and help with planning, and Marsha Dunn made an introduction to facilitator Hamilton Ray, who happened to be reading The Nordic Secret and had just recently connected with Lene Rachel Andersen. The synergies kept piling up—the universe was responding.
Keeping our purpose front and center—to develop a generation of leaders with the inner resources to address the urgent issues of our time—and our mission to advance the movement for whole person learning for young adults, Springboard’s clear strategy helped us move forward in a steadfast and methodical manner.
Specifically, we worked to:
Progress on each of these goals included:
The in-person Convening was particularly successful in relationship-building and energizing the work. Post-convening, the floodgates opened—Tom Schnaubelt of Stanford University learned of our work and wanted to connect not just Stanford, but colleges and universities nationwide; microcollege alums sought us out for support in developing an international student and alumni network; Tomas Bjorkman and Commonweal invited us to join them as lead signatories on a manifesto in support of deliberately developmental spaces. Each of these connections represents a seed in the eco-system of colleges and universities, students and alums, and funders we must continue to nourish in order to support the flourishing of place-based, meaning-centered, and community-oriented learning.
In July, Seguinland Institute sought support in developing a second campus and has made rapid and significant progress in doing so. Thoreau College, also seeks technical assistance which we plan to begin in 2024. As we grow the eco-system of supports, we must and will continue to focus attention on developing an ever-growing field of solid and credible prototypes.
Indeed, the universe is responding. The task now is to keep our intention clear and focused while continuing to notice the environment, and listening. The Kauffman Foundation gives this advice for effective ecosystem building:
The seeds are planted. My intentions for 2024 are to give to these seeds devoted attention, and to be patient.
Sincerely,
Kam Bellamy
Executive Director
Springboard
Springboard calls together leaders in the field of “transformational learning”--individuals who have “demonstrated a deep and inspiring vision for engaging young adults—mind, body, and spirit—in a commitment to the well-being of the planet and the good life for all.”
December 2022: Initial Leader Gathering
(Objective: Field-Building)
Attendees: Jacob Hundt (Thoreau College), Bryden Sweeney-Taylor (Outer Coast), Marsha Dunn (Seguinland Institute), M. Rako Fabionar (ILALI), Chris Knapp (Maine Local Living School), Philp Francis (Seguinland Institute), Laura Marcus (Tidelines Institute)
Convening planning starts in earnest, with the planning team comprised of: Jacob Hundt, Frank Eccher, Marsha Dunn, Maurielle McGarvey, and Kam Bellamy. Hamilton Ray of Collective Next is engaged to facilitate.
January 2023: Convening Planning
Thoreau College alum and USC Junior Maurielle McGarvey starts as intern to support Convening planning, alum engagement, and website development.
(Objective: Eco-system development)
Maurielle McGarvey
Hamilton Ray
April 2023
The website is live!
May 2023: Program Development Workshops
Fundraising Workshops with Andy Robinson:
Staff, students, and board members from Seguinland Institute, Thoreau College, Tidelines, and Outer Coast all avail themselves of 3 days of Springboard-sponsored training on Fundraising Basics, Major Gifts, and Deepening Board Engagement.
(Objective: Field-Building)
Andy Robinson
June 2023: The Convening!
Alums and leaders in the field of transformational learning gather at Seguinland Institute, Maine to:
(Objective: Eco-system development)
Student voices resound:
We are reimagining our educational journeys as:
Pictured from L - R: Margy Mooney, Feven Negussie, Jonathan Nemetz (standing), Liam McGilligan (seated), Emily Drukman, Maurielle McGarvey
July 2023: Campus Compact Proposal
Jacob Hundt introduces Kam to Tom Schnaubelt, Assistant Director of Stanford University’s Center for Revitalizing American Institutions. Tom is keen on meaning-centered learning and interested to connect colleges and universities to domestic rural communities. Together, they make a successful proposal to present at Campus Compact’s 2024 Conference.
(Objective: Eco-system development)
Tom Schnaubelt
August 2023: Seguinland Expansion Preparatory Work
Kam works with Seguinland Institute to develop plans for a 2nd campus, thus broadening impact and providing a model for regional micro-scaling. This plan is presented at the 2nd Annual Springboard/Seguinland Institute Retreat.
(Objective: Field-Building)
September 2023:
Research Director Hire
Grace Greenwald comes on board as Springboard’s first Research Director, with the mandate to develop and implement a research agenda that will demonstrate the impact and tell the story of the importance of whole-person learning for young adults.
(Objective: Demonstrating Impact and Viability)
Grace Greenwald
October 2023: IDG Summit
Kam attends Inner Development Goals Summit, connects with Tomas Bjorkman, and joins him as lead signatory on a “manifesto” on deliberately developmental spaces.
Kam also visits YIP in Sweden and connects with founder Reinoud Meijer and student Jonas Sovik.
(Objective: Eco-system development)
Tomas Bjorkman
Reinoud Meijer
November 2023: Alum Network
Grace & Kam begin work with Thoreau College Alums Tyler Hrubi, Nanami Nishiyama, and Sam Kearley to develop an online alumni network with the purposes to develop alum engagement across microcolleges and to support alums in finding community and next steps post-graduation. Plan to launch in February 2024, at Summit of Nunnian Organizations at Deep Springs.
(Objective: Eco-system development)
November 2023:
Connection secured with Deep Springs
Grace develops connection with Deep Springs sophomore and Communications Committee Chair Ben Samuels who shares information on how Deep Springs works in support of the Blueprint Project. Ben connects Grace and Kam to Deep Springs President, Andy Zink, and invites Grace and Kam to a Summit of Nunnian organizations at Deep Springs in February 2024.
(Objective: Demonstrating Impact and Viability)
Ben Samuels
November 2023: Seguinland Campus Pledge
Seguinland Institute receives verbal pledge of contribution of 15 acres of land to develop a 2nd campus, as well as funding to build the Gathering Space. Kam continues to support them in developing next steps.
(Objective: Field-Building)
November 2023: Thoreau College Business Planning
Kam and Jacob Hundt create plan to work on business planning for Thoreau College in 2024, focusing on development of a 3-year vision, financial planning, and board and staff assessment.
(Objective: Field-Building)
Jacob Hundt
Where We Are Now
Spotlight on Baseline Metrics Project
As Springboard invests more in building the field, we want to track growth over time through key metrics, starting with enrollment trends and operating budget, and growing to more sophisticated data.
Total Students Served from Three Springboard Cohort Institutes:
Outer Coast,
Seguinland Institute, & Thoreau College
2024: Looking Forward
Q1 2024
ESTABLISH A FIELD OF PROTOTYPES
DEMONSTRATE IMPACT & VIABILITY
ECOSYSTEM DEVELOPMENT TO SUPPORT GROWTH
Continue work with Seguinland Institute to Secure 2nd Campus; Develop capital budgets; Serve as thought partner on capital campaign; Connect with institutional funders. *August: 3rd Annual Springboard-Seguinland Institute Retreat
Q2 2024
Q3 2024
Q4 2024
Funders: Connect with institutional funders and learn more about their funding priorities
Develop a Whitepaper.
Lay groundwork for publishing relationships, development of pitches.
Search for and execute a long-term research-practice partnership engagement.
Field work @ Outer Coast.
1.Report on Student Feedback best practices
2. Blueprint on self-governance
3. Data collection for future impact publishing
‘Portraiture’ book proposal writing + shopping.
Writing for publication based on accepted pitches
Work with Thoreau College on business plan development. Specifically, assess and gain clarity on: Where do they want to be in 3 years? Do they have the right team to get there? Is their plan financially viable? In-person visit in Q1, then work will be remote
Young Adults: Work with alums and students to develop engagement platform and quarterly newsletter
Higher Ed: Present @ Campus Compact; host convo w/Newman Civic Fellows, connect w/colleges w/gap resources
Practitioners/Educators: Develop blueprints to share learnings, systems, and best practices
Priorities for Research + Writing
(Objective: Demonstrating Impact and Viability)