From Roots to Reach: Transpirational Growth for Social Ecosystems
Retreat Highlights
- Introduction to Transpirational Growth: Introduce the concept of Transpirational Growth as a community of practice and a wayfinding method for participants to explore within their own communities and organizations.
- Exploration of Practical Methodologies: Explore practical methodologies and wayfinding technologies appropriate for the distinct yet interpenetrating layers of communities and organizations, integrating scientific, social, and sacred technologies.
- Working with Case Studies: Foster an interactive understanding of community and organizational development that integrates diverse perspectives and practices, ensuring a well-rounded approach to growth and transformation.
- Inquiry into Replication and Scalability: Examine the potential implications of Transcendental Growth for our understanding of “change-making” in the context of polycrisis and explore the replication and scalability of successful initiatives.
- Nourishment and Inspiration: Provide an immersive learning environment grounded in practices for collective well-being, creative expression, and humour to nourish and inspire participants.
- Arts based activities
- Guided meditation
- Case studies
- Nature time
- Dialogic practices
About this Retreat
Details of this retreat
This workshop is for leaders and organizations who are tired of that trade-off, and want to co-imagine something more with a community of leaders who are willing to work together to find a new way of being together.
From Roots to Reach explores how the best methods for creating change can flow through an entire organization or community. Think of it like transpiration in plants: water doesn't just solve one problem and disappear. It gets absorbed by the roots, carries nutrients throughout the whole system, and then flows out through the leaves, into the atmosphere to nourish the broader ecosystem and eventually land back in the ground, ever more rich, ever more sacred.
Why This Matters Now
Most approaches to organizational and community change fail because they're designed for scarcity thinking—focused on immediate outcomes, competition for resources, and solving problems in isolation. But what if we thought about our methods differently? What if, instead of applying solutions topically when issues surface, we integrated our most effective practices throughout the entire ecosystem of our work?
This isn't about adding more to your plate. It's about making sure the powerful work you're already doing actually sustains and nourishes everyone involved, including you.
What We'll Explore Together
Over five days, we'll dive into practical approaches for working with the different layers that make up our communities and organizations—the energy of places, the worldviews people hold, the skills we build, how we form relationships, and the culture we create together.
This isn't theoretical. We'll work with real case studies and actual situations you're facing. And we'll do it through art, dialogue, movement, nature connection, and the kind of deep restoration that actually allows you to go back to your work refreshed rather than depleted.
What You'll Walk Away With
A New Framework: Understanding transpirational growth as both a concept and a practical method you can adapt to your specific context.
Integrated Methods: Tools and approaches that work across different aspects of your organization or community, not just in isolated situations.
Real-World Applications: Experience working through case studies and actual challenges, so you know how to apply what you're learning.
Systems Perspective: Ways to think about replication and scaling that honor your visions and the complexity of the communities and ecosystems you're working in.
Personal Renewal: Practices for collective well-being that you can integrate into your ongoing work, not just use during the workshop.
Who This Is For
This workshop is designed for people who are already doing good work and want to do it more sustainably. If you're leading an organization, running programs, facilitating community change, or supporting others in transformation work—and you're tired of burning out yourself and your people in the process—this is for you.
We'll be working on many levels: art, depth and spirit, nature connection, dialogue, movement, and deep restoration. Come ready to engage fully and leave renewed.
Daily Schedule
A detailed schedule will be emailed to you about 30 days prior to your program. Click here to view a sample program schedule.
Schedule
Getting Here
Directions
Cortes Island, B.C. V0P 1K0 Canada
There are a variety of ways to get here. They include:
Seaplane:
1 hr from Vancouver
2 hrs from Seattle
Fly & Water Taxi:
2 hrs from Vancouver
3 hrs from Seattle
Roadtrip
Approx 6 hrs from Vancouver
Approx 10 hrs from Seattle
Public Trnsport (Ferry)
Approx 6 hrs from Vancouver
Approx 10 hrs from Seattle
Other ideas:
Rideshare:
Lighten your footprint and cost by sharing a ride with a fellow Hollyhock traveler – you might make a new friend! Create a free account on our secure Ride Share Board.
Electric Charging Station:
We are proud to offer an electric vehicle charging station on campus. Plan your stops with PlugShare.
Hollyhock Shuttle:
Complimentary for Onsite guests to and from ferry, seaplane, water taxi and ferries.
Accommodation
A variety of accommodations are located throughout our lush campus, ranging in price to suit most budgets. Choose from private, beachfront or ocean facing rooms, dorm-style lodging or cabins that nestle in the quiet seclusion of the forest. Our beautiful campsites are also available, with a cedar bath house conveniently located for your use. Room fees include all Hollyhock basics, like stimulating presenter evenings, delicious, organic meals, morning yoga/meditation classes, guided naturalist walks and tours of the garden, as well as luxurious soaks in our ocean-view hot-tubs. Telephones and wireless Internet are centrally located. Room Options Include: Single: 1 Person Twin: Couple or Friends, 2 beds. Couple: Couples or Friends sharing 1 bed. Family/Friends: 3 or more adult friends or family /2 beds Dorm: Up to 6 people/bunk beds Tenting with full-service bath house (bring your own tent and bedding) Roommates can be assigned, upon request, in twin and dorm rooms only.
Private Cabin Oceanfront
Single w/ensuite Oceanfront
Single w/ensuite
Single w/shared bathroom
Couple w/ensuite Oceanfront
Couple w/ensuite
Couple w/shared bathroom
Twin w/ensuite oceanfront
Twin w/ensuite
Twin w/shared bathroom
Three-share w/shared bathroom
Women Dorm
Men's Dorm
Mixed Dorm
Tent Site Single
Tent Site Couple
Commuter
Venue & Amenities
Since 1982 Hollyhock has built upon the history of this land as a place of gathering, a pioneering homestead, and the site of an important human potential education centre. On this foundation of gathering, pioneering and learning, Hollyhock’s founders dreamed of creating a lifelong learning and leadership curriculum to inspire, nourish and support people intent on service to a better world.
Hollyhock became a not-for-profit in 2006 to strengthen carrying out our mission into the future. With your help we can keep this as a thriving centre for skill-building, lifelong learning and stewardship of the natural world, inspiring, nourishing and supporting people making the world better for another 30+ years.
Meals
Menu Types
What's Included
- Standard program tuition
- Room
- Meals
- Access to hot tubs, sauna, and Hollyhock activities
What's Not Included
- Travel costs
- Healing arts
- Bodywork
- Store purchases
- Optional additional excursions (kayaking, SUP, sailing)
Customer Reviews
Profoundly grateful!
Hollyhock's virtual Activate Summit was a much needed breathe of fresh air. The program gave me the chance to harvest and claim the long-forgotten power I have within, and the opportunity to connect with like-minded leaders to emerge - as an individual and as part of a community - able to shape the future, inwards out. The depth of knowledge and understanding of workshop leaders and plenary speakers made the program that much stronger - I only wish it was longer!
The Healing is Part of the Journey
seriously funny, in writing and in life
Hollyhock is well known for its beauty of location, but even better known for the delicious dishes its amazing staff serve up. And equally famous for its bread...both gluten and gluten free.
Best of all...inter conversations between everyone attending concurrent sessions. Just pick a table and jump in. This is where lifelong friendships happen.
In this crazy world it's reassuring to know that Hollyhock is there.
Thank you.
Did I mention the view from the outdoor Hot tub? Or the oyster roast on the beach? Yum!
connection, skill building
I strongly recommend this amazing program!
https://hollyhock.ca/p/909/podcasting-the-story-from-hear/