Highlights of SE Regional Conference
By Ed Maggart, SE Region Co-Chair, Asheville School, North Carolina
The 2010 SE Regional Conference was held at scenic Montreat Conference Center in Black Mountain NC during three gorgeous days of weather from April 9-11. 152 participants from 7 states enjoyed three days of new learning experiences, fun, and bonding.
Friday began with a “free space” in which attendees came up with 16 of their own discussion sessions led by anyone who had a topic. After dinner we got lots of new ideas for initiatives and games as we participated in the “playnote” led by Sandy Cohn and all the awesome folks from UNCC Ventures. The evening was capped off by a fireside session with Cherokee storyteller Lloyd Arneach followed by a social hour which went on well into the night for some!
On Saturday folks enjoyed a wide range of workshops on such topics as permiculuture, initiatives, backpacking cooking, creating a risk management plan, and fundraising for non-profits. In the evening a membership meeting was held followed by an inspirational talk on experiential learning by Dr. Cliff Knapp during which he gave us time to talk in small groups of 2 or 3. The evening culminated in a rollicking contra dance session set to the music of the local band “Blue-Eyed Girl”. 
One more workshop session on Sunday morning and then it was time for our closing. People shared “snapshots” of what they remembered most from the weekend and Dr. Knapp led us in a great visualization of taking the “Fire on the Mountain”, our conference theme, back to our workplaces. People lingered for lengthy “so-longs”, not wanting such a wonderful weekend to come to a close.
