Every year as part of the annual Labyrinth Society Gathering, TLS holds its annual meeting.  This meeting of the membership, at which TLS business is conducted and topics of interest to the Society are discussed, is required by TLS Bylaws.

To acquaint the membership with its Board of Directors and their functions, each Board member introduced herself/himself, summarized the responsibilities of her/his position, and reported on activities during the past year.

The Nominating Committee presented a recommendation for election of the following candidates to the Board of Directors:

●      Kay Whipple. It was recommended that Kay be reelected to the TLS Board of Directors for two additional years in order to finish her three-year term as Vice President, which began last fall.  It also was recommended that Kay continue to serve as Infrastructure Chair for the remainder of this term.  

●      Mark Milligan. It was recommended that Mark Milligan be reelected to the TLS Board of Directors for another three-year term, as permitted by the bylaws. Mark serves as Chair of the Energy Keepers.

The recommendations of the Nominating Committee were approved unanimously by the TLS membership.

In other action, the TLS membership approved two amendments to the Society’s Bylaws.  One amendment sets the minimum number of members on the TLS Board at ten, reducing it from the previous requirement of a minimum of 12. Currently there are 13 positions on the TLS Board of Directors.

The other amendment requires the Board to meet physically at least annually, in the fall, in association with the gathering. It provides that an additional physical meeting may be scheduled in the spring, at the discretion of the Board. Previously the bylaws required the Board to meet physically twice each year, in the fall and in the spring. This amendment provides flexibility for the Board to hold its spring Board meeting using internet conferencing capabilities, if the Board so decides. Additionally, the Board already meets electronically every-other month via GoToMeeting, an internet conferencing tool.

TLS President John Rhodes gave an oral summary of the TLS financial situation. Detailed financial reports are available for those who are interested by request to David Gallagher.

An opportunity was made available for questions of the Board and other reports. With none forthcoming, the meeting was adjourned by vote of the membership.

Jeni Kern is a graduate student in Health Studies, specialising in Wellness Management at the University of Central Oklahoma. Jeni and Shelby Graves, students of Diane Rudebock, participated in the Parksville Gathering as workshop presenters, at the research sharing circle, and as observers at the Board of Directors' meeting. Jeni has kindly agreed to share her impressions with TLS readers.

Diane Rudebock, Shelby Graves, Jeni Kern at Parksville

Knowing that The Labyrinth Society (TLS) is an international organization created to support all those interested in labyrinths, it was beyond intriguing when I first became acquainted with not only the labyrinth itself, but the labyrinth community as a whole. Being invited to this year’s annual gathering was life changing as I watched a unique union; so many different fields came to one common ground through passions for labyrinths, labyrinth walking, and the experiences of transformation and journeying.

My experience at the 2013 TLS Annual Gathering was uniquely special in every way. Not only was I granted the opportunity to travel with a University professor and peer to represent our university at an international conference, give a presentation on labyrinth proposals, and see a new beautiful land, I was able to deeply connect with individuals from around the world over the course of five days. The conference provided great opportunities for keynote messages, breakout sessions, and poster presentations, all of which were insightful and inspiring. I was also able to explore the land and experience a new culture, which added to my experience at the conference because of the relationship between where I was, who I was with, and what we were all doing.

The poster presentation that was of high interest to me, because of both its presentation and purpose, was “The Healing Way Trail” by Stephen Shibley from Oregon. It provided a beautiful overview of a redefined walking trail at a rehabilitation facility. What made Mr. Shibley’s poster presentation stand out was truly its grandiose presentation, which included pristine graphics, color and supplemental project information off the poster.  The purpose of this project and poster presentation was to introduce the newest idea for a drug and alcohol rehabilitation facility: an integration of their twelve step program and their physical grounds and outdoor spaces. Mr. Shibley presented how he could, as a longtime landscape architect, bring the program’s twelve steps to life in a “Landscape for the Soul,” where participants in the program are able to experience transformation in their body, mind, and soul during their time at the facility. His methods were outlined in his craft and the development of the actual spaces, all of which I am crafting in my own studies at the University of Central Oklahoma. The project displayed the master plan; the previous trail, the proposed trail, the proposed pod sections, and the connection between each pod section and each of the twelve steps (wow, right!). This use of space, color and design were wonderful characteristics of this poster.

Overall, I learned so much about research, professional presentations, and organization at this conference. The faculty advisor who accompanied me to this out-of-town conference is also on the international board for the society, which allowed her the opportunity to create a new type of session that had never been done before at a TLS Gathering. She led the first-ever research sharing circle where more than a dozen professionals from all over the world came together to share their past, present, and future research. So many individuals were interested in my current research and provided me with great feedback and thoughts. Contact information was exchanged with nearly everyone there, and we have already had post-conference communication about professional, academic, and personal topics.

The most beneficial part of this conference was the amount of time we had outside of sessions and presentations to network with other professionals. Because this gathering is unique in that it crosses so many fields around the world, it is so beneficial meeting each individual and getting into the most amazing conversations about our work and dreams of where we want to go. Often times, as a young professional and researcher, it is easy to get discouraged and think that my work is nowhere near where it needs to be. But I find that no matter how old a person is, their drive only strengthens and new goals are made, making each step seem more attainable because there is always room for more during a lifetime. Each person I had contact with inspired me to keep doing what I am doing, and then do more, which was definitely a highlight of my experience.

Although the travel to Vancouver Island was tedious and lengthy for us coming from Oklahoma City, the location was perfect. The planning committee did a fantastic job from beginning to end. My mid-September experience at TLS Annual Gathering was a phenomenal one and has left me inspired to do more in all ways academic, professional and personal.

In the spring, I will be presenting at the state-wide Transformative Learning Conference to capture my experience on Vancouver Island. The purpose of my presentation will be to highlight the experience of two UCO students and one UCO professor during the 2013 TLS Annual Gathering in order to demonstrate the transformative opportunities. I will highlight how the networking, breakout sessions, presentations, experiential learning opportunities, and overall participation in The Labyrinth Society’s Annual Gathering allowed for both individual growth (both for the UCO students and the UCO faculty member), and organizational growth as individuals from around the world were able to engage with UCO representatives while becoming aware of the innovation taking place on the university’s campus. The poster presentation will connect the gathering experience to the Six Tenets of Transformative Learning (Central Six): (1) disciplinary knowledge; (2) leadership; (3) research, creative, and scholarly activity; (4) service learning and civic engagement; (5) global and cultural competencies; and (6) health and wellness (University of Central Oklahoma, 2013). A combination of summaries, photographs, and displays will be utilized to appropriately capture the powerful experience of The Labyrinth Society’s Annual Gathering. 

In presenting this poster and the idea that UCO engagement at the international level is a cyclical benefit to all involved directly and indirectly, I hope to inspire future students, staff, faculty and supporters to seek opportunities to meet with individuals and organizations across borders to continue their passions and areas of interest. 

The holiday season is almost upon us. The curling up and hibernating with a good book season is also almost upon us. If you shop online at Amazon, please consider going through the TLS website to access the Amazon links you'll find there. A percentage of each purchase made this way goes to TLS, supporting initiatives such as translating the DVD into Spanish, and providing scholarships for students. It's EASY! And it makes a difference.

“We’re on the path to peace, my friend, we’re on the path to peace….”

Jean Shinoda Bolen and Holly Carnegie Letcher

This song plays in my head daily thanks to Rick Scott and Carol Matthews, who unveiled Ariadne’s Labyrinth Song during our opening keynote evening. It has been over 6 weeks since the 15^th Annual TLS Gathering, Labyrinths for Global Healing, Landscapes for the Soul and I am returning to a slower paced life on Vancouver Island; and yet I am still energized from our time together. Co-ordinating a Gathering is an enormous undertaking but well worth the commitment! I have so many incredible memories of connection and co-creating meaningful moments. I participated in both pre- and post-Gathering Pilgrimages as well as orchestrating the Main Gathering in Parksville. Day after day for 7 days, I felt exhilarated and in awe at the richness and abundance of friendships that this winding circular pathway had brought into my life. There were so many high-lights and perfect synchronicities that I hardly know where to begin.

On the very first day of Pilgrimage, I was moved to tears at the dedication ceremony by the Mayor of Victoria BC, for the First Annual Labyrinth Friendship Day, which will be acknowledged every September 16^th. I offer gratitude for the intimate conversations in Christ Church Cathedral and the generosity of labyrinth folks from all over the world, who never hesitated to jump in and lend a hand, a canvas labyrinth, a song, a hug, a ride, draw a labyrinth in the sand, tape one on a carpet, lay it out with rainbow scarves, flour or solar lights…

I experienced: being in a room full of laughing labyrinth lovers at the spectacular Tigh Na Mara Resort, singing Happy 93^rd Birthday to my Gran; dancing with 150 school children on beach labyrinths in the pouring rain, hearing talented musicians and storytellers; a magical marketplace, workshop and poster presenters sharing their passions, research, and innovation, sharing circles, the wisdom of Keynote Speakers Dr. Jean Shinoda Bolen and Carol Matthews, Bill Godden’s Finger Labyrinth Museum display, the annual silent auction; Naam Yoga: Love, Peace, Light to all; the Charter for Compassion, the O.U.R. Ecovillage, a full moon celebration with First Nations in Cowichan Bay; drinking wine and talking into the wee hours, Damali Lavender Farm, Sylvan United Church, stimulating discussions, totem poles, Dances of Universal Peace, a Buddhist temple, crystal labyrinths and mandalas, the oldest Canadian canvas labyrinth, a Celebration of Life ceremony, Full Moon Candlelight Beach Labyrinth walks, Goats on the Roof, hugging trees in Cathedral Grove, Milner Garden’s tea party, running like children through the Handprint Labyrinth in the pouring rain, West Coast General Hospital Circle of Peace Labyrinth and stories over delicious fish and chips, Heart Stone Labyrinth sunshine and picnics on the Autumnal Equinox... these are some snippets of my memories with you.

Please send me yours, with your name, city, country and “My favourite memory of Gathering 2013 is….”in the subject line to Holly Letcher.

We also leave behind a legacy. Parksville Community Park Legacy Labyrinth was created by local volunteers in collaboration with the City of Parksville and is recognized as a Special Project of The Labyrinth Society. It has already held the space for the Celebration of Life of a friend and co-creator of this community gift. Wendy Needham of Nanaimo, BC, was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few weeks after Gathering and left us very suddenly. Her family and friends shared memories, sang and walked this path together on Wednesday October 23^rd, 2013. Carpe Diem.

I would like to offer immeasurable gratitude to the entire TLS board who guided me throughout the planning process, most notably to Stephen Shibley, David Gallagher, and Hallie Sawyers who spent uncountable long distance telephone hours and emails in planning and support. Much appreciated also was the wisdom and experience of Lisa Moriarty, John Rhodes, Helen Curry, Robert & Linda Ferré.

Lars Howlett and Beth Ross were amazing in bringing to life this Gathering through photography, videography, graphic design, website, Facebook, YouTube videos, tote bags & programmes, capturing it for our everlasting memories. 

And last but not least, this Gathering could not have happened without our dedicated local Vancouver Island Volunteer Team. We spent endless hours planning, problem solving, organizing and engaging our communities in preparation for this remarkable event. Special thanks to my Co-chair Janett Etzkorn, Beth Ross, Patricia Fenske, Renee Lindstrom, Diane Jones, Linda Magnuson, Carol Matthews, Judi Malcolm, Anne Nesbitt, Joyce Peeke-Vout, Laurie Schuerbeke, Laurie Williamson, Katherine Zimmer, Joyce Tinnion, Lita Kabeck, Bonita Finotti, Bonnie Evoy, Lisa Leger, Greer Cummings, Jerry Etzkorn, Les Blydo, Halliday Walsh, Sarah Oliver, Jill Sawchuck, Diana McKenzie, Aurelie Stirling, Sandy McPherson, Carol Ann Carnegie, Kevin Letcher, Aryana Rayne, Sharron Hudson, Andrew Twiddy, Ellen Vaillancourt, Vivien Frow, Melanie Young, Margaret Hearnden, Wendy Needham, Angela Bone, Henri Lock, Shylene Shlackl, Candis Elliott, Terry Loeppky, Kathleen Arnason, Gaynor Hughes, Micha Marsh, Marney Armitage, Betsy Nuse, Sherry Moir, Nada Doesnovic, Catherine Harvey, Rochelle Graham, Brandy Gallagher, Murray Groom, Joy Larson, Ellen Brown, Ernie Sherman, Mindy Holman, Crystal Burgess, Petra Knight, TLS members Tom Vetter, Leslie Pettis and Dan Raven and of course the patience and support of my beautiful family.

I also wanted to acknowledge those members who could not make it to Gathering this year; we held the space for you and felt you here in spirit.

I would like to come full circle and say “Ho Ho Ha Ha Ha…very good, very good, YAY!” Keep smiling, laughing and crying as you walk the path, it’s good for your heart and soul and remember … “at the centre you’ll find you, my friend, at the centre you’ll find you.”

Wishing you peace, health, joy and abundance in 2014 and I look forward to walking the path with you in Florida,

Holly Carnegie Letcher
(Co-Chair of 15^th Annual TLS Gathering, Vancouver Island, BC. Canada. Sept 16-22^nd, 2013)

P.S. Another Gathering Legacy…you brought our Island labyrinth communities together. Please visit at Vancouver Island Labyrinths.

There’s a wonderful surprise in store for you on the Members Only Website under Gathering Proceedings to add to the abundance of membership benefits!

This year’s Gathering presenters were asked to submit a short, concise synopsis of their presentations. These presentation abstracts have been uploaded and are now available. So dive right into the vast reservoir of labyrinth topics and expertise available in this virtual tour of presentations.