Location for 2008 World Conference

We are fortunate that the Thompson Island Outward Bound Educational Center in Boston, USA will provide accommodation for the Outward Bound International AGM and World Conference. It is easy of access, being on an island at the end of the runway for Boston’s Logan airport, and affordably priced at $100 per day for all meals, lodging and boat transport to and from the island. Given the important strategic issues to be discussed and resolved by the Outward Bound Council, Thompson Island is also appropriate as this was the site of OBI's first meeting in 1997.

New Focus to World Conference - Planning for the Future Global Services of Outward Bound

The program will focus on the mission and structure of our global Outward Bound organization; something we have spent some time on in past conferences but never enough to come to conclusive agreements. This is particularly appropriate as OBI has now been operating for over a decade, has accomplished its early mandates and begun to expand into other areas. A major review of OBI activities and possible goals for the future is timely and has been the subject of active discussion by the OBI Board and Operations Council.

Who Should Attend

It would be ideal if the Board Chairman and Executive Director of each Member center could attend. This would include Charter, Licensed and Provisional Licensed Outward Bound centers.

The format will be different from past world conferences as there will not be multiple workshops to choose from or ceremonial receptions. This will be more of a working conference over a 2-day period. Consequently having large numbers of participants from all levels of the OB Centers is not needed – rather input is requested from the Board and top management levels of every center.

Dates - October 31 - November 2, 2008

This world conference will focus on planning for the future global services of Outward Bound and it is likely that some important strategic issues will need resolution by Council members.

We will plan to arrive on the afternoon of Friday, October 31, commence with a reception and dinner that evening, have a series of issue-specific meetings all day Saturday and Sunday morning, leading to the AGM on Sunday afternoon.

Plan on arriving in Boston on Friday afternoon or evening and leaving Sunday after 4p or Monday morning.

Prior to the World Conference there will be two other meetings: -

• OBI Board: Friday, October 31st 2008
• OBI Operations Council: Thursday, October 30th 2008

Logistics

We will shortly have more details of the program and how to sign up for accommodation on Thompson Island (or in a nearby luxury hotel!).

RSVP

This is a very important meeting and we hope that all Council members will be able to attend as the strategic issues we discuss and resolve concern our future long term direction.