Fourteen years ago a dozen or so experienced family professionals, family law lawyers and financial planners joined forces to create the nucleus of what we know today as Collaborative Practice Toronto.
Since our introduction to collaborative practice, we have come to understand the challenges of doing this work – developing the necessary skills, creating professional multi-disciplinary relationships, and establishing connections with motivated clients determined to avoid the personal and financial costs of a litigious separation.
Yet after so much effort the brand of Collaborative Practice does not seem to shine as it once did in our community. It is time to renew our focus. On November 4th, 2013 our community will come together in a demonstration of shared commitment and effort. We will examine options for change and develop an action plan to reinvigorate CP Toronto and continue to build our collaborative practices.
Keynote facilitator Catherine Conner (IACP 2013 President) will share her wealth of experience and help us consider some of the issues we want to address in both the practice and governance of collaborative practice:
- How to increase the use and visibility of Collaborative Practice;
- What we are doing right; and
- What we need to do better.
- We will develop short and long term plans to:
- Increase collaborative cases for ourselves and the collaborative community;
- Reach out to our connections;
- Maintain and enhance links with local media;
- Maintain and enhance links with government agencies providing funding and support services for separating spouses;
- Improve our reputation as negotiation experts; and
- Change the perception that some litigation and mediation professionals have of collaborative practitioners.
This will be an intensive all day effort – free of charge – starting at 9:00 a.m. and ending at 4:30, including lunch. The AGM will follow from 5:00-5:30 p.m. Directly after the AGM, please join us for cocktails and appetizers. Cash bar.
Registration deadline for this event is October 31 @ noon.
Membership participation is vital to building the momentum for Collaborative Practice. We encourage all members to set aside this day to determine your future in CP Toronto.
Register for the event by e-mailing Lois Leutri at cpt@leutri.com by October 31, 2013 at noon.
Questions can be directed to Catherine Feldman Axford at cafa2112@yahoo.ca.