MEET THE PENGUIN TEAM!!

THE EDUCO PENGUIN TEAM

Contact the penguin team at [email protected]

Ingrid Liepa And here be a bio for the Penguin Team If dogs resemble their masters, then let me start by describing my dog, and then you can play with all the metaphorical possibilities. His name is Sirius - after the Dog Star, the brightest star in the sky (Ingrid derives from the Norse root words around joy and freedom). Now Sirius is a bit of a character - talks a lot, has a wide repertoire of expression, and sometimes I have no idea whatsoever what he's saying. Coincidentally, he has marking similar to a penguin, except that he's a dog...well, you know, he's got the black and white tux thing going. He usually likes to play with other dogs, and then sometimes will play boss and/or tough guy, but as soon as he gets a serious challenge, he changes his tune pretty quickly and starts to listen really well. And sometimes he'll just go off on his own to find a stick and chew on it away from the pack. Give him a task and he'll be tireless about it, no matter how repetitive, and if his attention wanes, a few treats and "good boys" will usually get him back on track. He loves to play, chase sticks and run through the forest...especially in snow, taking huge flying leaps off of little cliffs into the fluffy snow below. He's an awesome all-round house and bush dog with a big ol' heart & doesn't chase other animals unless taken by surprise. Around the house

he's usually pretty mellow unless he hears something outside, in which case he can often bark up a storm. As for me, I'm a bit of an all-rounder, too, have done lots of different things in my life, and jumped off lots of little cliffs (sometimes the snow was deep and fluffy...sometimes it wasn't there at all....smile/tears), and some big and highly memorable ones. What I know is that I've got lots of heart for Educo - it's a place that holds something really unique and important in these times. It's a place that matters. Period.



Adam ‘the Penguin’ King

This is what I believe: I believe in the life changing programs Educo has already built, and I believe in the potential of Educo programs not yet built. I believe that this organization has grown a strong and reliable foundation, and I believe this organization will need to respect and rely on this foundation in order to grow in new directions.

I first joined Educo’s community 4 years ago as a staff member, and could only describe my summer experience as fantastically challenging, whimsical, wonderful, life affirming and life expanding. Although I have not returned as a staff member since that first summer, I have remained a passionate advocate for Educo. I have helped build a partnership between Educo and a corporate sponsor, have helped introduce Educo to youth from First Nations Communities across the province, and have volunteered to co-facilitate Educo’s innovative, off-site Community Fostering Program.

As my bio picture illustrates, I am indeed a penguin (…with a disproportionately large head I admit). For this reason alone, I believe I am a natural fit for the Penguin Team. If being a penguin is not enough for you, however, over the past four years I have been pursuing professional, educational, and personal goals that have helped build skills and experience that can be of benefit to Educo and a compliment to the skills and experience of the other Penguin Team members.

I have spent two years working for a wind energy company, Sea Breeze Energy Inc., and have gained experience designing, implementing and evaluating communications and community relations strategies, as well as a re-branding campaign for the company itself. I am presently working in the Children and Youth Unit for the Public Health Agency of Canada, which has provided me the opportunity to build experience working with community programs to assess their strategic directions, operational plans, cashflow reporting, as well as their opportunities and obstacles for program enhancement or expansion. I believe the organizational assessment tool that I have been working with could be of great benefit to Educo during this time of re-visioning. On the educational front, I have been pursuing a Master of Public Health degree and will graduating this May.

More than all the reasons stated above, I believe I am an asset to the Penguin Team because I care about Educo - I care about its past, I care about its future, and I care to be a part of its continued growth and success.

Adam King



Holly Elisa May Geddert Location: I started my journey in the small town of Likely BC, where I grew passionate about the outdoors, especially rolling in mud puddles, searching for ferries, and handcrafting my own boats, sailing them down our local creek. I was quite surprised how fitting Educo was when I first visited at the age of 12. I stayed on with my Educo Adventure filling many roles (volunteering, getting the junior staff shaft, into senior leading) laughing, crying, learning, and playing the whole way through. I currently am living the big city life in Vancouver. I plan to attend Douglas College in the fall, to study Social Work, Child and Youth Care. Why I Am a Penguin: My heart still thumps with passion when I think about my experiences at Educo, deep in my chest overwhelming me with emotion. It started as personal growth, I couldn’t believe what I was learning about myself, and that I could celebrate the young woman that I was becoming. My experiences then lead me to learn about what kind of leader I am, and helped me share with others the tools that I considered so valuable in my life. I feel that we should all be exposed to a community as wonderful and positive as Educo. I believe the teachings at Educo are not only positive for personal development, but fundamental in furthering one’s role in their community.

How hard it is to articulate this feeling that has been so impactful to my life. I value and am passionate about this fire, the Heart of the Educo community. Educo has impacted my life in an enormous way, and I feel very strongly about helping keep the fire going, in this period of growth and change that Educo is facing. I realize that much can be accomplished from a team by playing off each other’s strengths. Some of my strengths that I add to the penguin team are that I am an initiator, a mentor, adaptable, empathetic, reliable, imaginative, positive, strategic, energetic, and eager... Also I believe I am a good member of the team because one of my favourite pastimes is dressing up like Danny Devito and waddling around my house...coincidence?



Jesse Sullivan Hello my name is Jesse and well this is why I make a great Penguin: Intimate knowledge of Educo programs from the perspective of a student. I came every summer for 7 years starting at the age of 11 and know what it's like to be so scared on the zip platform that you just can't seem the go off the edge. I know what it's like to be that slow kid on the mountain trip where everyone has to wait for you and eventually take some of your stuff so you can keep going at a reasonable pace. Those experiences transformed me and people at Educo helped me through the doors of myself to experience what it's like to be the young man who can't wait to get up on the zip and jump off and be the guy who rests standing up with his pack still on.

From junior student to senior and leadership student and from junior staff to senior staff over the last 16 years I've experienced the powerful transformation that is possible through Educo. I have a deep passion for the program as I wouldn't be the same person today without it. I'm excited about finding creative ways maintain the core qualities of Educo so that all who come can experience themselves in ways they may have never thought possible. My strength of leadership resides in my sometimes quiet wisdom and presence and knowing that often the softest of touch can bring most profound transformation. And hey I just love the snow....and look good in black and white. Let Your Spirit Soar. Jesse



Stephanie Gobin Bonjour aux amis d’EDUCO from France!

Though I’m currently a continent away on a school exchange, I am energized by the developments at Educo BC. Educo, as an organization, seems to be at a point at which I often find myself during a swamp run at the Educo site. It’s the moment where the students (and often I too) either stall or jump right into the mud pit. Educo is facing some changes and challenges, and I am be honoured to be on the Penguin Team that holds Educo’s hand as she makes the jump.

My heart beats steadily to the rhythm of Educo from five years as a student, and two years on staff have helped me solidify my leadership skills. A passion for internationalism (international Educo courses as a student and subsequent visits to other Educo schools) lead me to the Educo International Alliance Gathering in England this past fall.

There, I explored the bigger picture of Educo BC’s administrative, financial, and international work, and I deepened my appreciation for the organization as a whole and its place in the professional world. Taking a break from program staff this season, I am eager to bring my creativity, passion, dedication, youthful leadership, knack for taking the initiative, and communication skills to the Penguin Team.

MEET THE PENGUIN TEAM!!

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