Bold Leaders Project

By Critical Mass Leadership Education, Inc.

Welcome to the web site of the Cyprus 2004 Bold Leaders Project.

We designed this web site as a support and information placemat for the teen team, their escorts, families and supporters as well as the dynamic group of individuals and organizations who have committed their talent and resources to deliver a program that has lasting impact for the participants. And if you are simply visiting, welcome and feel free to contact us with any questions or requests.

Critical Mass Leadership Education is dedicated to collaborative efforts that challenge the often prevailing mood of pessimism that leaves people, institutions, even cultures,  stuck and fixed to  perspectives that inevitably foster an inability to operate from an interdependent domain.

It is a privilege for us to deliver this program and we want to thank the sponsor organization, AMIDEAST , for selecting Critical Mass Leadership Education to design, host and deliver the Cyprus 2004 Bold leaders Project.

Contact:
Michael Donahue, Co-Director
Critical Mass Leadership Education, Inc.
191 University Avenue, #301
Denver, CO 80206
Tel: (303) 359-1733 
michael.donahue@boldleaders.com

Executive Summary The Cyprus Bold Leaders Project

Welcome to the Cyprus 2004 Bold Leaders Web Site. This site was originally created as a location for the Cypriot teens and their families to access for information, planning, schedules, introductions, homework and Q & A before their June 2004 arrival. It has since transformed into a tool for information, reporting, sharing, communication, introduction, discussion and support. We invite you to review the immediate results, not only the statistics, but also the very words of the teens four months after they completed the project. You may discover that for most of them, this has not and will not end as they continue to not only participate with each other across the divide of the green line in Cyprus but to reach out and participate with schools, sports programs, dance programs, art programs, families and other youth groups on their island. We also invite you to view the discussion board, even register, and engage with the teens as they move forward in their efforts. We promise they will listen and respond.

It was a joy to work, live and share with these thirty Bold Leader teens and the four adult escorts that so powerfully represented the future of Cyprus and their respective communities of Cypriots who speak Turkish and Cypriots who speak Greek.

All of these results were created in a powerful collaboration of organizations and people. It is a privilege to live in the United States of America, and in particular Colorado. It was a joy and a dream come true to bring together powerful individuals and organizations representing the best of Colorado and the diversity of our country that clearly left a powerful mark on a small, ancient Mediterranean island that may just hold the key to peace between ethnic, religious, economic & political divides. This collaborative team masterfully demonstrated a sense of responsibility for our privilege to be here and a duty to contribute to humanity, leadership and peaceful coexistence. Please, we implore you to explore these fantastic people and their work via the links to the left. We can heartily recommend each program and the people who so profoundly impacted the Cypriot team of Bold Leaders. As the Program Coordinator I want to thank each and every one of them and give my personal thanks for the influence and difference they made on these teens.

None of this would have happened without the support of the People of the USA through the US Embassy in Nicosia, Cyprus. A big thanks to Ambassador Klosson and the Bi-Communal programs of the US Embassy and US State Department as well as Craig Kuehl, the Public Affairs Officer at the Embassy. We would also like to acknowledge the sponsoring organization, AMIDEAST, a powerful not for profit training/educational organization making a difference in the Middle East, and in particular, the tireless director of the Cyprus office, Ms. Judy Hardinge. Thank you so much as you picked the perfect thirty teens and four escorts for this program.

There is not enough space to appreciate each and every person, and all are very deserving, but there are several people and organizations that we would like to acknowledge with a special “shout out.”

  • Barbara Morgan and her staff & Resident Assistants at the Colorado School of Mines: What extraordinary service provided that they seem to see as ordinary. Fantastic partners and hosts. The teens called CSM, “home!”
  • Blair Madden, Rachel Miller and the Museum of Outdoor Art President, Cynthia Madden Leitner: For your gracious hospitality, a beautiful setting for the teens to learn and your infectious enthusiasm. Thanks to the US teens in the Rage & Resolution Program.
  • Todd Siler of Think Like a Genius: A generous spirit of collaboration and delivery plus a thank you for letting us copy and use excerpts from your books.
  • The Mizel Museum: Thank you so much for jumping in late and working it out with us and your great presentation and wonderful hospitality.
  • Dr. Robert Hazan of Metro State College for your enthusiasm and for agreeing to be the featured speaker at the host family banquet.
  • William Ury: For permission to copy and distribute portions of your book, The Third Side, as a part of the teen’s workbooks.
  • Dr. Tamra Pearson d’Estree and her PhD team from Denver University who brought the Third Sider perspective to life.
  • The staff people at the Colorado Mountain Colleges: For the little touches that made the teens feel special.
  • Craig Dobkin Co-Founder of Play for Peace and Hal Kuczwara of Funlosophy who provide inspiration and demonstrated compassion, teamwork and collaboration in unique styles.
  • Erin Breeze and Eilis McNamara-Olde of Seeking Common Ground: Strong spirits who along with Todd Siler, provided access to personal and community discovery through wonderful art projects.
  • Denver Public School System: In particular Patrick Emery, Director of the Balarat Outdoor Education Center: Thanks for opening it for our use and keeping us safe on the ropes course. Also the DPS Indian Education Program for introducing us to Sun Rose.
  • Colorado Youth At Risk: For all the logistical, equipment support, office support and volunteer adults and youth who were happy to help; Melissa, Glenna, Jaime, Evan, Liz, Ari, Megan, Angelina & Andy. Special thanks to CYAR mentor, Jim Tomanto and student Reggie, who joined the crew as volunteers and fell in love with the teens. Reggie, thanks for the inspiration. They won’t see US teenage life without thinking of you. And to Cheryl Plese, a mentor with CYAR, who managed the production of the July 4th picnic. We needed that time to catch up, so a big thanks!
  • The fantastic families who opened their homes to the teens for two days and made the picnic and soccer game/fireworks of July 4th so special for the teens: Thank you to the four organizations that “found” them for us and how well they represented your work. Leaders Challenge, Rage & Resolution Program at the Museum of Outdoor Art, the Odyssey Institute and Colorado Youth At Risk.
  • The Colorado Rapids Professional Soccer Team: Thanks for the special greetings. The teens loved seeing their names in lights.
  • The Colorado Mountain Club volunteers: Christa and her partner were powerful leaders and patient support as we accomplished the “impossible climb” safely!
  • Conversant Communications & Michael Garramone: The Cypriots felt powerful and mature sitting in the professional surroundings of these offices with a fantastic panoramic view of Boulder, Colorado,. The big, soft leather chairs were certainly not what they had been used to in the past. Thank you for letting us use your facilities and Michael’s presentation of your materials.
  • Rita Belino: You provided a very special “rest day” for the teens in Aspen. Thanks for being our host! Clearly they appreciated the “euro” lunch, in particular the bread, and you ordered up a wondrous day of weather to appreciate the peak pass drive, the town, the John Denver Sanctuary Park and the Maroon Bells National Park visit that left them in awe. I didn’t think we would get them to leave.
  • Billy Hinch of Canyon Passages: For being a stand for this project and the river trip. Special thanks for the logo design work for the “boonie hats.”
  • The whole crew of Canyon Passages: Thanks for making the river special! You brought back a team!
  • Todd Shelton and his staff from Front Range Climbing: Thanks to you and your staff for letting the kids inspire you and making certain we took them to the “best” climbing spot!
  • Wilderness Aware: May the river run high for future crews! Your staff is the best! That your professional guides took an interest in what these Cypriots were up to was very important for them. Our staff felt confident in turning the Cypriots over to your team.
  • Mount Princeton Resort: Unforgettable night for the Cypriots. The river, the hot springs, surrounded by mountains and the lightning storms on the peaks in the distance. Yet the great feast provided and being served by the chef was just as special.
  • Derek Canty: Derek took the time, on his dime, to use his break time during another youth program to spend several hours with the Bold Leaders. Derek is one of America’s most powerful youth workers and motivators.
  • Jes Ward and Rudy from PeaceJams: Real life, walking the talk. You connected!
  • College Summit: Thank you for the use of material and to the Denver office staff. Thank you to Wendy Tally, Executive Director of The Spot, for delivering the material.
  • Liz Olsen of the International Student Office at Colorado School of Mines: Thanks for your presentation on US university recruitment practices and tips for international students.
  • The Spot Youth Center and Staff: Fantastic urban location and perfect for the Multi Cultural Program Panel.
  • The Multi Cultural Panel: Dr. Vincent Harding of The Veterans of Hope Project and the Iliff School of Theology; a true elder for the USA and the world. Sun Rose an Ogallala teen with a powerful perspective. Linda Takahashi Rodriquez who presented an inspirational story of multiculturalism, history and not so uncommon relationships in the USA. Haregewoin Weledmariam, of the African Community Center of Denver and an Ethiopian woman who sought asylum in the USA, and shared her experiences and appreciations of the USA but clearly left the Cypriots moved with her commitment to return to Ethiopia to bring peace.
  • Michelle and Stephanie from the Conflict Center: Delivered a powerful session in the middle of some conflict. Perfect timing!
  • Bill Fulton from the Public Education and Business Coalition and Facing History and Ourselves: A perfect seminar upon their return from the mountains.
  • Youth Biz and Tia Faulk: Cool t-shirts and logo design. The Cypriots were very proud of them and wore them for the long plane rides home. Tia, thanks for your response, patience with us and the quality work of your teen crew. Also, to all the Youth Biz teens and Mr. Eldred Pate who participated with the Play for Peace Service Learning day, along with all the children from Denver Parks and Recreation.
  • Denver Parks and Recreation Program: Thank you for making available the parks program children and staff as well as transportation for a unforgettable day of play and service learning.
  • Opalanga Pugh: The teens wish you well in your efforts to battle cancer. They trust you will be adding another story of courage and accomplishment to your future of contribution designed to impact the family of humanity! It was perfect that you were the last memorable workshop of the program for this team. Thank you for making their stories come alive!

Michael Donahue
Critical Mass Leadership Education Inc.
Program Coordinator, Cyprus Bold Leaders Project

For the team:
Brady Rhodes
Laryl Hutchin (Odyssey Institute)
Dr. Glenda Walden (Odyssey Institute)
Chad Steele
Colin Donahue