Celebrating Mini Summit 2025!
On June 18 and 19, 2025, Community Development Practitioners came together for our first-ever two-day Mini Summit, one day online, and one day in person! Over the course of three hours each day, guests had the opportunity to participate in a total of thirteen sessions: six session held virtually on June 18, and seven in-person sessions on June 19.
We were joined by a diverse group of hosts and facilitators who brought unique perspectives, tools, and experiences to both the online and in-person spaces. Together, we explored the meaningful work happening across communities and reflected on how we are deepening relationships and moving from vision to action in our daily practices.
To continue the learning, we’ve created a shared space to capture key takeaways, resources, and contact information contributed by participants following each session.
Recordings of the online sessions are accessible below and on YouTube to support continued learning from this year’s Mini Summit. You’ll also find photos from the in-person sessions below.
“I was introduced to some new concepts and appreciate the many resources that were shared”
VIRTUAL SESSIONS
From sorrow to solidarity: Honouring ecological grief and anxiety to nurture community resilience
This session was hosted by Stephanie Olsen. View the session below.
Viewers will be exploring how honouring ecological grief can support wellbeing, deepen solidarity, and strengthen community resilience, grounded in recent research by Refugia Retreats and the University of Alberta. Together, we’ll dive into ecological grief and eco-anxiety, how these emotions can become powerful resources for connection and transformation, and community practices that nurture resilience.
Reflective Practice Space
This session was hosted by Victoria. View the session below.
Viewers will be reflecting on what you’ve learned, and making meaningful connections with fellow participants, facilitators, volunteers, and organizers. This is your space to connect, share, and recharge.
Building a 4th Space: Cultivating a sense of community within
This session was hosted by Trisha Rhoden. View the session below.
Viewers will focus on creating a personalized wellness plan that will spark conversation, promote reconnection, and encourage recharging so people can show up more fully in public spaces.
Challenge Accepted: Igniting Your Resilience with Real-World Tools
This session was hosted by Sheliza Kassam. View the session below.
Viewers will focus on creative problem-solving, leadership, advocacy, and how to build sustainable, purpose-driven initiatives that uplift communities
IN-PERSON SESSIONS
Jenna Wray (Better Belonging)
Agnes Chen (Starlings Community)
Betty Good (GoodLinks Intergenerational Practice)
Welcoming from Tyson
Kent Patel (Sunalta Resident (Front Row with Friends & Neighbours)
Young In Kim (Korean Social Services Centre (KSSC))
Mini Summit is hosted by CDLI in collaboration with volunteer session hosts, planning working group and those who recorded sessions as well as documented key takeaways onto the Shared Space. Thank you for all your work!
If you found Mini Summit as a valuable learning opportunity and would like to be more hands on for the next one, please consider joining the working group and help shape Mini Summit 2026! Contact us at cdli@caryacalgary.ca for more information!