Student travel will be arranged as a group by a university travel agent. Flights will be arranged for arrival early on the afternoon of Sunday, March 3, and there will be only one shuttle service from the airport to the Whispertree Retreat provided. All students will depart together on Friday, March 8.

Should there be any changes to your itinerary before or during travel, please contact us by text, email or phone to let us know as soon as possible.

Meals will be enjoyed as a group with homecooked menus provided by local caterers. Where possible, food is sourced locally and organic, including local organic, pasture raised meats, organic farm chicken, local vegetables and greens in season. All participants must fill out the questionnaire regarding food allergies and restrictions.

Weather in the Pacific Northwest may be unpredictable in the spring. We will monitor the forecasts as we get closer to our gathering. It is recommended that you bring comfortable clothes that you can layer for changes in temperature between spring and winter conditions with possible rain. We will alternate between conducting contemplative practice and dialogue indoors and enjoying the surrounding environment. Bring your personal toiletry items, waterproof boots or sturdy shoes for hiking, waterproof jacket, hat and gloves, water bottle and small backpack/bag for excursions. For our program, a good, old-fashioned journal is essential. You may bring your own yoga mat or meditation cushion for our daily contemplative practice if you so wish. We discourage the use of technology during the hours of the program, except during downtime.

Contracting COVID-19 is a new risk inherent in any convening that involves participants traveling, residing together, and being in close physical proximity to one another and facilitators – a risk, like others, that cannot be completely eliminated. Our policies have been developed and will be implemented to minimize exposure to COVID-19 and to detect signs of illness. This is an evolving situation and our practices and policies may change as we gain new information or new requirements are decided by the relevant authorities. We will use our best judgment and medical advice available at the time to make decisions, but some activities may be changed, potentially at the last minute, to protect the health and wellbeing of our participants and the surrounding community.

Because the week-long duration of the program does not allow for quarantine on site prior to convening, participants with symptoms prior to departure are asked to cancel or delay travel until a negative test can confirm whether or not they have contracted COVID-19. Before departing for the Academy, participants are asked to take care in attending public settings and large social gatherings where possible. Participants are also advised to ensure they are informed of any advance requirements that may be required by their travel itinerary related to COVID-19.

Because participants will be living and interacting in close quarters, participants will be monitored for symptoms, will work with social distancing during the program wherever possible, and wash hands frequently. Participants who experience symptoms during the program will need to inform the program staff immediately and isolate from other participants until a determination through testing can be made. Thereafter, the participant, program, and family will discuss arrangements involving travel and quarantine until the student is no longer symptomatic or has passed a negative test and can return home. We have limited ability to accommodate participants in isolation on site, and they may need to stay in local lodging at their own expense until they are able or allowed, per medical advice, to return home. Each participant agrees to be responsible for the costs associated with their testing, medical care, transport, quarantining in place, and rescheduling travel if necessary due to contracting or developing symptoms of COVID-19 while attending the Inner Leadership Academy. CCC will not reimburse travel or other related third-party costs due to any COVID-19 cancellations. CCC will not be able to offer a refund to those who have to cancel participation in the program due to exposure to, symptoms of, or contracting COVID-19 prior to or during the program, however, a place will be held for participation in a future program with a prorated credit valid for one year.

For these measures to be effective, we need commitment and diligence from all our participants. Those who, in our judgment, do not comply with these expectations, may be asked to leave the program.

The Inner Leadership Academy is a unique opportunity to leave behind the constant connectivity and access to technology of daily life. We do not permit the use of technology during the hours of the program, but technology may be accessible at restricted times for limited and essential-only communications.

Circles for Conscious Change, LLC (CCC) is a transformative education company working to foster inner-driven leadership and the use of mindfulness as a design tool for social innovation.

CCC believes that transformative leadership requires learning and engagement from the inside out for more compassionate, ethical, impactful, and sustainable change. Therefore, we strive to embody mindfulness, authenticity, and respect in all our interactions and decision-making, and to craft a safe container and culture in which our participants can do the same. We thus ask that you abide by the following policies and values, as well as those of our retreat site, during your participation in the Inner Leadership Academy.

Equal Opportunity

CCC does not discriminate on the bases of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, sex, disability or sexual orientation. Participants also agree to treat all persons with respect, without discrimination on the basis of race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, sex, disability or sexual orientation. Participants will endeavor to bring curiosity, non-judgment, kindness and respect to their interactions with each other, so as to foster trust, resolve conflict, and honor individual wisdom and identities.

Harassment

CCC is committed in all areas to providing an environment that is free from physical or verbal harassment. Harassment based upon an individual's race, creed, color, ethnicity, national origin, age, religion, gender identity, sex, disability, sexual orientation or any other legally protected characteristics will not be tolerated. Examples may include sexual, racial, homophobic, or other offensive jokes; insulting stereotypes based on race, religion, or national origin. Sexual harassment is behavior of a sexual nature that is unwelcome and offensive to the person or persons it is targeted toward. Examples of harassing behavior may include unwanted physical contact, foul language of an offensive sexual nature, sexual propositions, sexual jokes or remarks, obscene gestures, and displays of pornographic or sexually explicit pictures, drawings, or caricatures. CCC does not tolerate sexual harassment. If you think you are experiencing or seeing harassment or misconduct toward yourself or another person, please discuss it promptly with your facilitators or your partner program administrator. All complaints of unlawful harassment will be handled in as discreet and confidential a manner as is possible under the circumstances. All participants are expected and required to abide by this policy.

Risks and Other Considerations

Participants will be invited to participate in a range of personal transformation work. This includes, but is not limited to, contemplative practices, meditation, breathwork, yoga, Qigong, other movement practices, discussions of personal experiences and history, and other processes intended to assist in self-exploration and self-actualization. Each participants’ unique experiences and emotional responses will naturally reflect the direct and diverse experiences of each individual’s life. Though encouraged, participants are under no obligation to participate in such personal transformation work and may discontinue their participation at any time at their discretion. Participants are also encouraged to straightforwardly express any concerns regarding their personal transformation processes. CCC reserves the right to terminate any individual’s participation in the program due to safety and/or other concerns.

During the program, there may also be independent, unstructured and unsupervised time, including time during the preparation of meals and community chores, exploring the surrounding wilderness, and travel away from the retreat site. CCC is not responsible for participants during their free time; however, any inappropriate acts or activity that occur during free time are subject to CCC termination policies.

Should you participate in any travel or outdoor experience, there are natural risks inherent in each activity. The risk of injury, even serious injury or death, is always present in the outdoor environment, due to uncertain terrain, wildlife, weather, and other circumstances. Please undertake such activities with caution and care.

On retreat, participants will be living in shared quarters with others, which requires contributing to an inclusive and welcoming learning environment, problem-solving and timely conflict resolution, the maintenance and caretaking of the retreat facilities, and shared responsibilities for the health and wellbeing of all. Overall, participants agree to be responsible for their own wellbeing and for contributing to the wellbeing of the group.

Tobacco, Alcohol, Illicit Drugs and Other Substances

CCC is mindful and supportive of a healthy lifestyle and environment for all. As such, there is no tobacco use allowed during the retreat, or in and around program buildings and vehicles. Possession or use of tobacco or smoking any substance may lead to early termination. In addition, the use of nicotine replacements (i.e., nicotine patches) is not allowed except by prescription. Electronic cigarettes in any form are not allowed. The illegitimate use or abuse of physically or cognitively altering substances is not allowed and will also result in termination. This includes alcohol, marijuana, marijuana derivatives (regardless of local laws), and the sharing or abuse of prescription or over-the-counter drugs, or other substances. You should only bring prescription drugs that are specific to your needs. CCC has a zero-tolerance policy on the use of tobacco, alcohol and banned drugs/substances on retreat.

Technology

The Inner Leadership Academy is a unique opportunity to leave behind the constant connectivity and access to technology of daily life. We do not permit the use of technology during the hours of the program, but technology may be accessible at restricted times for limited and essential-only communications.

Termination

CCC reserves the right to terminate a student’s participation for violations of these policies and/or values, including behavior that is unsafe, disrupts or distracts from the mindful educational mission of the course, or reflects adversely on CCC; possession or use of illicit drugs, alcohol, or other substances; abusive or inappropriate behavior; theft or misuse of property; and disregarding instructions. CCC reserves the right to search students’ property if we have reason to believe that illegal or unsafe activity has occurred or might occur. Sexual or exclusive relationships that are detrimental to retreat dynamics and sexual relationships involving a minor will likely result in termination. CCC is not responsible for additional expenses related to early termination and a participant’s early return home, including, but not limited to airfare change fees, airport transfer, or interim accommodations, as may be necessary.

Expectations

Participants can expect meaningful experiences, a learning environment free from discrimination or harassment, and an opportunity to challenge themselves to explore their true nature at a deeper level. As such, participants are expected to participate as fully as possible in course experiences, including discussions, readings, group activities, community chores, the shared preparation of meals, and personal transformation work.

CCC and its program participants commit to do no harm. CCC is committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive community which embraces individual physical, emotional and mental wellness, and which supports individuals being their authentic selves. CCC is also committed to its social and environmental responsibility, and seeks to minimize any negative social and environmental impact, asking its participants to do the same.

Anything not covered in the above policies will be handled individually or collectively through mindful dialogue. Ultimately, we endeavor to create a collective space of intention that builds trust and engenders respect and wellbeing for all. Our goal is for each participant to leave having had a meaningful exploration of inner leadership for the benefit of the self and the greater good.