The CALL ~ Looking Back ~ A Brief History

As with any organization, it is important to understand where we’ve come from to get a clear picture of where we are and where we’re headed.  It is important for a couple of reasons ~ to honor those on whose shoulders we stand; to provide us with context and meaning; and to inspire us to move to the next place.

The CALL grew from a noticing and a knowing.  A noticing that there needed to be something else after completing the CTI (Coaches Training Institute) Leadership Program.  And a knowing that it would happen.

Two very forward thinking and brilliant women, Virginia Kellogg and Jen Rusk, conceived the idea of The CALL to be that “something else”.  Except back then, it wasn’t named The CALL.  That came later.  It was called Space Station, after the leadership principles of particles and space, and was intended to be a place where leaders could come for regeneration, renewal, inspiration and connection with other Leader graduates.

Shortly after its inception in 2000, a decision was made to hold a retreat. Northern California was selected as the location.  Sixteen leadership graduates attended.  It was at that retreat that the initial visioning of the CALL happened.  One thing was clear, and stands today ~ that leaders wanted connection with one another.  That connection could take many shapes (and has, over time).  The shape wasn’t near as important as the idea that connection was happening.  Today’s CALL remains committed to that!

In those first years, the group decided to change the name from Space Station to The CALL, to create a Steering Committee, to build a website, and to continue the practice of annual retreats. 

The retreats were wonderful events, where leaders reconnected with old friends and met new ones.  Each year, learning happened, both in front of the room, and in the many other formal and informal gatherings that took place over the week.  And, each year, everyone left knowing that the CALL they encountered was morphing into something different and better.

Over the years, we’ve come from a Steering Committee to a Board of Directors.  There are official bylaws. We became incorporated in 2002 as a non-profit organization, recognized by the IRS as a 501(c)(3).

In addition to the retreats, we have hosted teleclasses on leadership topics; have partnered with other leaders both from within and outside of The CALL to produce teleclasses; and we have created HUBs Across the Globe (regional gatherings of leaders) to facilitate the connection and learning that sustains us as leaders.

Our non-profit status has allowed us to increase the diversity of the leadership program by awarding scholarships to deserving and qualified individuals.  Approximately 6 scholarships have been awarded over the history of The CALL.  The scholarships are supported by donations from our members.  Those donations also go to supporting leader projects.  In 2007, The CALL gave $10,000 to the Prison Project (formerly known as Time to Change) which brings the co-active coaching model into prisons.  This particular project is significant as it was the brain-child of Laura Whitworth, one of the founders of CTI.  Laura left this life in 2007, and we honor her name with both the scholarships and through donations to the Prison Project.

So The CALL has grown, changed, evolved, failed, recovered and blossomed since its beginnings in 2000. What’s remarkable is the staying power of the organization.  “Staying” is a fundamental tenant of leadership, so it’s really not surprising that this trait extends to The CALL.

We have grown to be over 1500 members (as of mid-2008), representing 18 countries and over 75 tribes.  We honor and acknowledge those who have gone before us, and who always understood and believed there was something else.  We thank them for their persistence and dedication to this organization, for without their commitment we could not be who we are today.

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