Posted on March 2: Inspiring’ conference revitalizes McMaster employees
[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/inspiring1.jpg” caption=”Inspiring From Within”]It was a day of inspiration and motivation for 150 McMaster University employees.
Last Friday, the second annual “Inspiring from Within” employee conference was held at the historic Old Mill in Ancaster.
The conference, presented by the employee-run Working at McMaster' steering committee, focuses on career and personal development.
Committee chair Heather Hines praised the hard work and dedication of the committee members. “This event is one of the many initiatives that exemplifies the committee's mandate to advocate the career planning and development of all McMaster employees.”
The conference featured speakers in Career Development, Work/Life Harmony, and Health and Wellness. The day began with an inspirational keynote presentation from McMaster alumnus and international triathlon coach, Barrie Shepley. Barrie communicated to the crowd that they could “achieve personal excellence” in all areas of life through the philosophy that “you get more of what you think about.” From the morning keynote, the large group split off into breakout sessions in each of the three streams, including sessions teaching: how to read into the personality behind handwriting, being recognized for your workplace contributions, and the skill of self talk.
Lunchtime brought increased amounts of creativity to the table from the deliciously prepared and presented meal, to the entertainment provided by a fire eater and conjurer. After lunch, Charlie and Maria Girsch, toy makers from Minnesota, helped attendees go through stretchercises to encourage more creativity in all facets of life. A second set of breakout sessions began after this keynote, with participants choosing from a variety of sessions on balancing work and life, skill development, bullying and relaxation exercises.
The day was brought to a close by motivational speaker and coach, Wentworth Sharp, with a talk on “Stress – the Elixir of Life.”
Numerous door prizes were distributed, and the participants then had an opportunity to provide comments to the organizing committee. Says Mary Arnold of the President's Office, “The speakers, location, food, gifts — everything was top-notch. I thoroughly enjoyed all the speakers and was blown-away by the morning keynote speaker Barry Shepley. It was truly uplifting to listen to him relate his experiences as a student at Mac, coach, son, husband and father. (The committee) could not have selected a better person to start the day and inspire' the conference participants.”
Members of the organizing committee for this conference include Heather Hines (chair), Jeanette Button, Stephanie Cherwinski, Tina Horton, Delia Hutchinson, Erika Kustra, Ruth Nicholson, Serge Venier, Janet Walsh and Grazyna Ziolkowski. Employees interested in participating in the planning of next year's conference can contact Lorraine Redford (ext. 27838 or e-mail redford@mcmaster.ca).
To learn more about the conference, visit: http://www.workingatmcmaster.ca/development/inspiring
Photo captions: Top, Heather Hines, chair of the organizing committee for the 2004 Inspiring from Within conference with morning keynote presenter Barrie Shepley. Below, Charlie and Maria Girsch, afternoon keynote presenters, with Erika Kustra, from the conference organizing committee. Photo credit: Anthony Celani
