What's a Grandpair?
At ChangemakerYOU, we define a “grandpair” as a granddaughter/grandmother duo who works together in a reciprocal mentoring relationship.
At this time, our Grandpair Retreats are most appropriate for 11 – 15 year old girls and equity-minded grandmothers (or surrogate feminine elders) who want to encourage these young ones to grow into their fullest self-expression and confidence. Doing so will equip them to go out into the world ready to create positive change when they feel called to do so.
What are "See Her rise" Retreats?
ChangemakerYOU offers programs to help women and girls of all ages to develop the attributes, the skills, and the mindset needed to get going on a changemaking journey of their own design.
Wise feminine elders have been engaged in change-making work for decades trying to make the world more hospitable and inclusive for the generations that will follow us. That work is not yet done! We want the young ones coming along behind us to be equipped with the tools we wish we'd had when we were younger.
The world needs more changemakers ready to use their voices and their power (either quietly or boldly) to make things better for themselves or others whenever they see the need.
See Her Rise retreats are special opportunities for growth within the context of a lovingly structured getaway in a beautiful setting. Think of it as a right of passage experience where wisdom and support are shared across generations for the benefit of everyone.
Where will See Her Rise Retreats be held?
One of the core competencies of the See Her Rise changemaker curriculum is a global mindset with a focus on cultural competencies. For this reason, whenever possible, See Her Rise Retreats will be held outside of the United States where our founder, Patti Talbot, has connections.
That said, we must not limit the magic of these special gatherings to only those who are able to travel internationally. Or…perhaps you'd like a small sampling of what's involved before you commit to travel the world with us! Whatever the reason, we also offer weekend retreats in beautiful rural settings here in the United States. Also rich! Also rewarding! Just a little more “compact”.
See Her Rise will help you and your granddaughter…
Create the world you want to live in!
At a See Her Rise Retreat You'll Get:
A comfortable, natural environment. (Trees are very important to our model!)
A carefully constructed experience designed to support both individual and group learning.
A deeper understanding of yourself and your place in the world.
A unique perspective on the special changemaking powers of women and girls.
Opportunities to practice changemaking skills in a warm and supportive community.
Good food. Good friends. Good FUN!
Everybody seems to want to change the world, but few talk about what it actually takes to do our part as individuals.
See Her Rise Retreats are NOT for you if:
You are already an expert changemaker.
You don't like the way things are but don't feel any responsibility for making them better.
You like to focus on problems more than solutions.
You think you are already doing all there is to do.
You aren't willing to engage in self reflection.
You don't want to learn anything new.
You don't like to work with others.
Your granddaughter is too young or too grownup for the way the experience is designed.
See Her Rise Retreats
Are for you if:
Your granddaughter is between the ages of 11 - 15.
You wish to encourage the voices of the next generation of changemakers.
You have worked to make the world a better place, but know there is much still to be done.
You want your granddaughter to feel more empowered and self-assured than you did early on.
You want to nourish the special bond with your granddaughter by working on something worthwhile together.
You are willing to learn new things about yourself, others and the world.
You are ready to engage in deep self reflection and critical thinking and help your granddaughter to do it, too!
Five Areas of Focus (The NESSS Method!)
BEINGNESS
How our roots and our foundations affect how we show up in the world. (Our NATURE)
CONNECTedness
How we interact with others - especially those with different perspectives. (Our SOCIAL SKILLS)
DOINGNESS
How we act on issues needing attention to make changes in the world (Our ENERGY)
REFLECTiveness
What we project outwardly as we reflect inwardly on our higher purpose. (Our STORY)
Consciousness
OUR SYSTEM - How to think holistically about our place, our purpose and our power to make a difference.
MY PERSONAL GUARANTEE TO YOU…
My guarantee to you is that these attributes, when cultivated with intention, will make a difference in your life and the lives of those around you. When you cultivate the changemaker in yourself, the ripples you create help to cultivate changemakers in your home, your community, your workplace and the wider world.
About Patti:
I'm fascinated by people who show up in the world in big ways as social changemakers.
When people work to make a real difference with intentional action to change policies, institutions and systems that no longer serve us as human beings, I feel relief and gratitude. I'm also quite curious about how these changemakers make things happen when others don't seem to be able to.
Where does the will and skill of changemakers originate? Can anyone be a changemaker?
My curiosity about change and changemakers led me to the study of people who have the knowledge, skills and dispositions to create significant positive changes with demonstrable benefits. I've conducted extensive interviews with people fitting that description across sectors including educators, community leaders, business leaders, attorneys, activists and healthcare workers.
I've studied programs and curricula designed to cultivate the characteristics consistently shared by those who step forward to make things better. I'm most interested in the common attributes that make them capable of doing the work they do for the good of humanity and the planet. What I've learned is that effective social changemakers consistently have sixteen attributes in common. Unlike some innate characteristics, the skills of changemakers can be taught and they can be learned.
PLUS! I'm a Grandmother!
What better way to encourage the voices of changemakers than in a supportive learning environment alongside those who love us and want to see us rise into our fullest human potential. That's where grandmothers come in!
As women who've been around awhile, we've learned some important lessons worth sharing, but we also know we still have much to learn. That's where granddaughters come in!
Who better to teach us about the world as they see it? Who better to help us stay engaged and vibrant and relevant?
Frequently Asked Questions
We like the definition provided by the University of Northampton in the United Kingdom. “A changemaker is someone who sees a social or environmental problem and has the skills and the grit to do something about it.”
Patti has made an important addition to that definition. Changemakers never act alone.
“A changemaker is someone who sees a social or environmental problem and has the skills and the grit to WORK WITH OTHERS to do something about it.”
You can call yourself a changemaker if you are able to identify social and environmental problems and you make authentic efforts to make things better . You can be a quiet changemaker, but in order for your efforts to have lasting impact, you do have to be willing to let the world see what you stand for.
Get in touch with Patti anytime to learn the specifics about the retreat(s) that interest you. patti@blueroadseducaiton.org
Get in touch with Patti at patti@blueroadseducation.org. This page and methods for communication are regularly being updated so stay tuned for more information as it evolves.
Can we participate in BOTH the domestic and the international See Her Rise Retreats?
Absolutely! In fact a weekend retreat is a great orientation to the foundations of the Changemaker Journey. Those who participate in a weekend retreat receive special pricing on international travel retreats that follow.
Chart your course as changemakers - Together!
Imagine what you could do if BOTH of you were able to:
Understand yourselves better so you can show up as your most authentic selves.
Capture your true callings to live your lives bigger purpose and a greater sense of self.
Connect with others with empathy and understanding.
Bring a global perspective to all that you do.
Act consistently on behalf of the planet and humanity.
Stay tuned for our next dates and locations...somewhere... in a forest within the continental USA!
Grandpair Weekend in the Woods!
- Friday Evening – Beingness
- Saturday Morning – Doingness
- Saturday Afternoon – Connectedness
- Saturday Evening – Reflectiveness
- Sunday Morning – Consciousness
- Sunday Afternoon – Knowledge to Action
Grandpairs Go Global!
These 10 – 12 day retreats are happening all over the globe. Stay tuned to learn when and where and sign up for the option best for you!
- Next up: UK 2025!
