Celebrating the Gifts of Good News in 2024

Friends,

After busy summer programs and fall retreats, Naramata Centre is quiet. Thanks to our hardworking Hearts and Hands volunteers, facilities have been repaired and grounds are ready for the winter fallow season.

It’s a perfect time to reflect on the meaning of the season, whether we are Christian, part of another faith tradition or a person of good will who appreciates the way this season invites us to focus on how we are both blessed and a blessing to others. We celebrate the joy of being together with those we hold dear. And we celebrate that Naramata Centre embodies that joy year-round through its programming, retreats, connection, and community.

As we reflect on these blessings, we count the many good things that came to pass at the Centre this year. We have achieved much, and we recognize it was all possible because of countless individuals who came before us. We stand on the shoulders of those who created Naramata Centre, those who cultivated community over the decades, and our dedicated staff who have ensured that day-to-day operations run smoothly.

Their legacy energizes us, and we look forward eagerly to our work together in 2025. We will continue to renew the Centre as a place of welcome, inclusion and expanded offerings for you – our dedicated membership, our participants, our fellow supporters of the Centre. Be sure to watch for our newsletter with programming details in February.

If you have made a financial gift this year, we thank you for your generosity. Naramata counts on the financial gifts of our supporters, and we invite you to continue or begin to donate. There is a link here to make that simple.

With gratitude and joy,

The Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

Looking for New Board Members

Calling Generation Z, Baby Boomers and all generations in between!

We’ve extended the application deadline as we continue to search for a person under the age of 30 to join Naramata Centre’s board of directors. Come and contribute your generation’s perspective to help ensure the centre will be there for your own kids as it has been for you.

We’ve also extended the deadline for individuals over 30 who would like to bring their experience to the table to ensure a sustainable future for Naramata Centre. We seek new board members to replace those whose terms are ending.

The extended deadline for applications for all board member positions is now May 15, 2024.

Please read the Board Director-Role Expectation Summary and email your expression of interest to board@naramatacentresociety.org by May 15, 2024.

With gratitude,

Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

Accepting Nominations for Honorary Society Members

“It takes a village to raise a child.” A similar concept can be said for Naramata Centre. It takes many society members to keep the centre’s doors open. In fact, some members have dedicated years of their time – as well as their talents, skills and plenty of elbow grease – for a single reason. They are committed to ensuring the centre can continue to inspire individual and collective transformation in a safe, inclusive, sacred space.

Do you know someone who fits this description? Each year at the Naramata Centre Society’s annual general meeting, the society grants honorary membership to two members whose significant and long-term commitment and contributions to Naramata Centre stand out. We consider the following: the length of time the individual has been involved in the centre; the person’s role and contributions to the life and work of the centre; and the person’s alignment with the centre’s mission, vision and values.

If you would like to nominate someone for an honorary membership, please complete

the application form and submit your nomination by April 15, 2024. If you have any questions, we’re happy to answer them. Please contact us at board@naramatacentresociety.org.

With gratitude,

Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

Land Sale Update

Greetings during this in-between season – between winter and spring, between things going to ground and new life rising up. In the Christian tradition, we’re in the time of Lent, when we open ourselves to noticing what keeps us apart from life lived fully as the Divine intends, not just personally, but also as a society. It’s a time of lament, when Christians remember the cost Jesus paid in seeking a just world, and it’s a time of dawning hope, acknowledging that ultimately death cannot overcome life and despair cannot overcome hope.

It seems fitting that we write to you in this season to let you know that the Naramata Centre Society, with the agreement of the Pacific Mountain Region of the United Church of Canada, have agreed to the conditional sale of land where Robson House (also known as Children's House) sits. This property borders Third Street, Gwendoline Avenue and First Street. 

We know this could give rise to lament. Many of us have precious memories of times spent on that land. Yet, we also hold profound hope that the old is giving way to the new, and that funds from the sale will seed new life, new ways of being and learning, and new ways for our community to connect at Naramata Centre. Not just for the sake of ourselves and the centre, but for the sake of the world, because time spent at the centre renews and restores us in our efforts to love and protect all creation. 

We encourage you to visit the Land Development page on our website to learn more about the sale.  

We also expect that there will be a time of offering our thanks for the property being sold and to share memories of time there, and to speak of dreams for what is being birthed with the property’s relinquishment. 

With gratitude,

The Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

A Gentle Man of Quiet Grace

The Centre community was deeply saddened to hear of the death at the end of January of our dear friend and colleague, Chris Grauer. Chris lived, worked and played at Naramata Centre for over 50 years. He encountered generations of people who remember Chris as a humourous, humble and generous person. He encouraged people to engage and enjoy the community at Naramata Centre. He spread his wings beyond the Centre and modelled a life of service as a volunteer with many organizations in Penticton, Summerland and Oliver.

After completing high school in Vancouver, Chris attended UBC, but found it to be a lonely place. During the summer while working at a United Church camp, a lifeguard told him about Naramata Centre. He enrolled in Winter Session in 1968, felt a real connection to this sacred place and, as circumstances would have it, didn’t leave for over fifty years. Following Winter Session, Ivan Cumming, Executive Director at the Centre at the time, offered Chris a job. He worked on the grounds, did maintenance, and was trained in the kitchen by Mary Haughian. “In those days you did everything,“ Chris explains. After a number of years serving in various positions, Chris became the “head honcho” in charge of the kitchen, where he worked as head cook until 1994. Even after leaving this position, he often helped on site and could be found back in the kitchen washing dishes. If you were a regular at the Centre, you will probably remember Chris from this time.

When Chris gave up paid employment at the Centre, he subsequently became a very dedicated volunteer in Penticton, Summerland, Oliver and Naramata. He worked as a volunteer baker at the Seniors Retirement Centre in Penticton for 10 years until new ownership made that position unnecessary but giving was just the only way Chris knew how to be. He volunteered at Penticton Community Soupateria, a volunteer based charitable organization that feeds people in need. Chris held a wide variety of jobs there from cooking soup, doing the purchasing for the organization and also cooking the turkeys for Easter, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners for the Soupateria. He was also a regular volunteer with the Okanagan Gleaners.

When not cooking, Chris volunteered at Critteraid, an animal sanctuary in Summerland, a place that became a treasured home and family for him, in particular, over the last number of years. His time with Critteraid was time that he treasured. He had a special affection for animals and with that trait, it was easy to see how he became such a part of their family for 15 years. He loved wholeheartedly and genuinely wanted to make life easier for any and all around him. His humour was unsurpassed and his sharp wit was always in play. You knew with that twinkle in his eye and little smile that something was coming and it was going to be funny. He kept everyone on their toes and brought light into the sanctuary in moments when it was needed most. He was always there to lend a hand or to offer assistance.

In 2011, Chris was presented with the BC Community Achievement award by the Lieutenant Governor and Deputy Premier in Victoria. Chris says that life started again when he became a volunteer.

 While never one to take centre stage, Chris could always be relied on to do the work that was needed and to do what he could to ensure everyone, two legged or four legged, were cared for and fed.

 Chris had been a long-term supporter of First United in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside. His first exposure to this important work came when he was in Winter Session at the Centre and they all went down and worked for a few days at First United helping serve people.

Chris was often heard saying, “It feels so good to help others. It is one of the secrets of life in a world where so many people need help. It has been a wonderful blessing to have lived and worked at Naramata Centre and to be involved at Critteraid and Soupateria. This is a beautiful community and I love it here.”

Chris will be remembered by his nieces and family in Vancouver and by the host of people whose lives he touched in this Okanagan community. Whether it was with a smile as he poured someone soup for lunch, cuddling with a kitten or chatting out back of Columbia Hall kitchen at the Centre, Chris made a difference in the lives of countless people and we will miss his smiling face and good humour.

There will be a gathering to remember and celebrate Chris this spring and we will keep you advised. Rest well Chris, a gentle man of quiet grace.

Searching for a U30 Board Member

Are you under the age of 30? Maybe you know someone who is.

Maybe you grew up attending Naramata Centre programs and value the friendships and community that thrive here. Maybe you’ve only been to Naramata Centre once, but it changed your life and want others to experience the same joy.

Naramata Centre’s Board of Directors is seeking one member under the age of 30. We’re looking for young people who understand what the Centre has to offer and want to see it succeed. Don’t forget – volunteering for a board looks good on a resume and helps open career doors!

Please read the Board Director-Role Expectation Summary and email your expression of interest to board@naramatacentresociety.org

no later than March 15, 2024.

Help us create the Centre you want your own kids to attend someday. Help us ensure Naramata Centre still thrives when you’re a grandparent!

It’s Go Time! How You Can Help Keep Naramata Centre’s Doors Open

2023 has been Naramata Centre’s best year in some time. The child and youth program saw greater participation this summer, and lunches prepared by the kitchen made a welcome return. Turnout was strong for some of the summer adult programs, and online programs throughout the year are growing in popularity. 

We’ve made good progress so far. But we’re not out of the woods yet.

Naramata Centre’s Board of Directors is working hard to keep the Centre open. But to put it as plainly as possible, the urgency is real. Without change – sustained change – the Centre will cease to exist. It’s not a cost problem. Rather, we have a significant revenue problem. The Centre is simply not sustainable with current operating deficits. 

That’s why we have created a solid strategic plan to ensure Naramata Centre’s sustainability. It is our blueprint for how Naramata’s supporters can work together to guarantee the Centre’s fortunes continue to improve.

The plan can work, but it requires action by all of Naramata’s supporters. Please read the plan to understand the urgency and the threat to the Centre.

The strategic plan outlines two phases:

• Phase One (2023-2026) focuses on sustainability and

• Phase Two (2026-2028) focuses on revitalization.

Thanks to feedback from Naramata Centre’s community of supporters, we know that our top priority is to make the Centre sustainable. To do so, we must focus on three interrelated parts that serve a common purpose: 

• Our people: We must have enough staff, volunteers, partners and participants to deliver our mission.

• Our finances: We must have enough sustainable revenue to cover the expenses of our people and site to deliver our mission. 

• Our site: We must invest and care for the grounds and facilities to shelter, feed and facilitate the people.

Each of these three pieces is necessary for Naramata Centre to fulfil its purpose, which is to inspire individual and collective transformation in a safe, inclusive, sacred space. If we cannot achieve all three, any other purposes or priorities are moot.

As you can see, for the next few years, creating stability, building capacity and fostering collaboration will occupy all our efforts.

A thriving, sustainable future for Naramata Centre is within reach. With the right priorities, plan and team, we will make it happen. Let's aim for that future together.

We Need YOU to help Naramata Centre find its way forward. 

Sincerely,

Naramata Centre Board of Directors

Here Are Some Ways You Can Help To Keep Naramata Centre's Doors Open

Supporting Naramata Centre does more than helping the Centre flourish. It also demonstrates there are people who value Naramata’s community and want to see it continue.

• Come back to the Centre, either in person or online. You can participate in many ways: online programs, personal retreats, winter retreats and summer programs, which will be posted on the Naramata Centre website in January 2024.

• Invite friends/family to join you for programs and/or retreats.

• Do you belong to an organization that is sympathetic to Naramata Centre’s purpose? Book your group events and retreats at the Centre.

• Become a member of the Board of Directors or a voting member of the Naramata Centre Society.

• Donate or make a gift-in-kind donation.

• Put Naramata Centre in your will. Call 250-496-5751.

• Volunteer for Hearts and Hands

• Spread the word by sharing our newsletter and 75th anniversary video with others.

• Read the strategic plan.

Our Priorities in This Time of Advent

As this year draws to a close and we find ourselves in this time of Advent – we remember and we wait...

We reflect back on the beauty and bounty of summer. Times of laughter and learning; gathering as community, singing of song and breaking of bread. This year saw our staff team grow with both year round folk and a summer team who, together with you, created a marvelous experience for over 700 people who came to the Centre this summer and we are grateful for the energy, memories and time together.

As the days are shortening and darkness comes earlier and earlier, we wait. Darkness can bring uncertainty and a fear of the unknown, but we know there is a promise of light to come, a promise of renewal of all things. The Centre continues to work to find how we can be vital and vibrant – in our operations and experiences - with our staff and volunteer teams, and with our financial realities.

Our Priorities

Thank you to those of you have provided input to our strategic planning this past summer. We are still following up on some of the ideas that have been shared with us. We are working on our Strategic Plan and developing long term goals to achieve Organizational Sustainability: Pursuing an operating model which will provide the people, site and financial conditions necessary to deliver the society's mission, values and end statements in an ongoing and self-sustaining manner.

There is still uncertainty with us. While this summer was a great experience for all, our registration numbers were still below our pre-Covid attendance. Our financial situation is still far from where it needs to be and that continues to be a key focus for the board and leadership of the Centre. Ensuring that we are Organizationally Sustainable is our top priority especially as we embark on celebrating 75 years of our history - and work hard to secure another 75.

McLaren Expression of Interest Moving Forward

While it has taken us longer than anticipated to get here, we are excited to announce that we plan to issue an Expression of Interest (EOI) for the sale and development of the McLaren/Children’s House lands. More information on the EOI and updates on this initiative will follow in the coming months. This is an exciting time of transformation and rejuvenation for the Centre. If you have any questions please reach out to board@naramatacentresociety.org.

Thank You For Your Support

As we wait for the promise of a New Year, we thank all of our community for the support we experience in so many ways. Whether by your participation in programs; financial support through donations, or including the Centre in your prayers, we are grateful for your support. If you haven't yet, there is still time to make a year end donation to contribute to the work of the Centre - either online through CanadaHelps or by mailing a cheque to the Centre.

As you gather with loved ones and reflect on the passing year, we hope to be in your plans as you discuss exciting things to come in 2023.

With gratitude,

The Naramata Centre Society Board of Directors

New Executive Director

Board Announcement

We are very excited to announce that Sasha Viminitz has been hired as Naramata Centre’s new Executive Director effective May 16, 2022.

Sasha is an adaptive, flexible, people-centric leader with a strong connection and passion for Naramata Centre. Having attended regularly since 2017, Sasha has established personal relationships with many long-term Naramata Centre participants, program and resource leaders. Over these years of listening and learning, Sasha felt a calling to serve this unique community. Sasha has the vision and experience to create a long-term sustainable future: financially, socially and spiritually.

Sasha brings over a decade of management experience and business leadership with a record of proven success. He has worked in both the wellness and hospitality sectors, in both private and not-for-profit ventures. He brings a diverse set of skills including hospitality, human resources, business development and communications, and has been responsible for housekeeping, reception and welcoming, volunteer programs, group bookings, online marketing, site and facilities management and revenue management.

But perhaps most importantly, Sasha understands the spirit that makes the Naramata Centre the extraordinary place and community that it is. He is committed to respecting the Centre’s connection to the United Church. He is aware of the Centre’s current strength of community and its opportunities and he is unabashedly optimistic about its future.

This past weekend Sasha participated in our Board meeting at Naramata Centre providing an excellent opportunity to develop relations with our Board and staff. He will be relocating from Edmonton to Naramata in May. Sasha very much looks forward to integrating into the broader community and hopes to meet many of you personally if you are coming to the Centre this summer and over the coming years.

Please join us in welcoming Sasha!