CentacareCQ leadership retreat 2020

CentacareCQ leaders from across the Diocese gathered last month for a retreat at The Haven in Emu Park to reflect on the work of the organisation, its mission and to learn some new tools to continue their work as leaders.

On day 1, the team were inspired by Dr Mark Copland’s session titled “Mission on the Margins - bringing life to our values with those pushed to the edge”.  Day 2 included Bishop Michael introducing the CentacareCQ leadership team to Pope Francis’ writing, “Gaudete et Exsultate” – the apostolic call to holiness in today’s world.  The staff reflected on what they each do every day, and identified the holiness in the people in their lives. CentacareCQ Director Robert Sims then led the team for a discussion on the culture of the organisation, and the connection between the work they and the people they serve.  He said, "It was great to take the time to reflect on where the work comes from – that the services we provide and the work we do is how we respond to Pope Francis’ call to holiness”.  That afternoon was the culmination of work the team had worked on with their staff since November 2019 – discussing the experiences and moments that made them proud to be a part of CentacareCQ. Dissecting what it was about those experiences that made them proud to be a part of the organisation and to identify CentacareCQ’s own WHY – the reason they do the work that the organisation does.  This session was co-facilitated by Dr Sue Pillans, a graphic recording artist who helped the group visually express the WHY. One of the staff said, “Seeing the 'Find your WHY' come together was awesome.”

On the third day, the team attended mass at St Joseph’s Cathedral, before an afternoon of video editing training with senior communication officers Tamara MacKenzie and Stu Harcourt. The pair delivered an interactive session about using video and social media to communicate within the organisation to other team members and externally to the wider world.

The following morning (day 4) was spent with Mischa Farrell who ably convinced the leadership team that while industrial relations and human resources are complex, they have the capability to support their staff and the organisation. One team member said: “I found Mischa's workshop to be fun and insightful. Human resource issues occur almost every day and being part of this workshop provided me with new skills in dealing with these issues.”

Another staff member said, “The workshops at the retreat were a great way of reminding us why we are all here.”