Change And Creativity

During the teacher conference this past August there were many discussions about the future of this annual event. The results of the survey earlier this year regarding our yearly conference, in which 120 teachers and 50 students participated, clearly showed the willingness of the community to explore changes to the traditional way we have held that event.

The expense of travel was a major reason teachers are not attending conference as often as they use to. Also, the availability of more workshop, retreats, and intensives offers opportunities closer to home to participate in a T’ai Chi Chih program. Many teachers are opting to attend a conference one year alternating with another TCC event closer to home the following year. For a detailed account of the survey results see my article in the May 2016 Vital Force.

In light of the survey results it was decided to hold a community conference of teachers and students one year, alternating with a teacher conference the next. There has been much discussion among teachers about the logistics of a community conference – time frame, a program to satisfy teachers and students, a location where there are many students, etc. It is clear that we need more time to prepare before we move into a combined conference of teachers and students.

Next year there will be a teacher conference in Boulder Colorado, June 15 – 18, 2017, followed by a Seijaku accreditation. It has not been decided if we will be ready to host a combined student and teacher conference in 2018, but we are working toward the time when we can present a substantial and beneficial community conference.

The theme of the 2016 conference was Letting Go, and I appreciate the teachers who are embracing change and letting go of what may not serve us at this point in time. A combined conference of teachers and students will bring new energy into our community. Students often have an unfettered view of the practice and can offer a fresh perspective enriching a teacher’s perspective. Attending a conference may propel students into a deeper connection with TCC prompting them to consider becoming teachers themselves.

If the practice of TCC is a valuable part of your life, then keeping it vibrant and fresh is important to you. Justin relied on the integrity of the teachers to develop their own continuing education program. Consider once a year attending an event that offers the opportunity to explore, assess, question, play, and enjoy TCC. Find an event that serves you whether it is a conference with 100+ like-minded folks or a smaller, more intimate group such as a retreat.

At the 2016 conference the T’ai Chi Chih Foundation announced that in 2017 it would give three $200 grants to teachers. The goal of the grants is to educate and promote awareness of TCC. The project or event should have a wider impact than just obtaining students for one teacher. A few examples are: having a booth at a health fair, a well-publicized public talk/presentation with promotional and informational materials available, developing materials about TCC to be widely disseminated. Upon completion, the teacher will write an article for The Vital Force letting the community know about their project. The grant proposal form can be found on tcccommunity.net under “resources.” I’m looking forward to seeing the creativity of our community.