Strategy
& Visioning
Workshop
MCIC Strategic Workshop Hosted & Facilitated by Pop CoLab
At a Glance
Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
Attendees: 8 team members
Duration: Full-day session (9:30 AM – 3:30 PM)
Focus: Team connection, workshop ideation, and a boatload of fun!
🎯 Goals
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Strengthen internal connections across the team, including new staff.
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Co-develop a new youth engagement workshop focused on democracy, citizenship, and communication.
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Leave with a concrete framework and aligned direction for future programming.
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Embrace a pressure-free day packed with hands-on fun, imagination, and a little bit of creative chaos.
Setting the Stage
We kicked off the day with a DIY name badge activity using our pin-back button maker, followed by storytelling exercises designed to foster empathy, active listening, and team cohesion.
The Pop CoLab space was set up to inspire creativity and connection, with conversation card decks (Celebrate Yourself Card Deck by Possibilities Universe), warm lighting, and tables filled with colourful sticky notes and prompts.
“The space made it feel safe to share, think out loud, and try new things.” — MCIC Team Member
What We Did
Morning Session: Connection & Ideation
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Welcome + Tour: A quick orientation to set a playful tone
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Team Connection Activity: Sharing stories through guided prompts
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The Idea Sprint: Sticky-note-based brainstorm to develop components of a youth-facing workshop
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Outcomes: Clear themes emerged around building communication confidence and reviving face-to-face interaction for youth.
Capturing the Moment
A colourful flurry of creativity and collaboration — the MCIC team built, laughed, and planned with purpose.
I learned something new; I got to know my teammates better; I felt creative; I left feeling lighter or recharged
Midday Boost
Get-to-know you Trivia!
Light-hearted lunch activities to re-energize and deepen bonds between coworkers.
What We Did
Afternoon Session: Visioning & Prototyping
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Magic Wand & Magic Lamp: Reflective exercises to name current obstacles and define future success
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Workshop Prototyping: Breakout groups built 2 workshop concepts using a Pop CoLab template
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Wrap-Up & Reflections: Key takeaways and a shared digital Miro board created to continue building post-session
"There was the genius of moving back and forth between team-focused concerns and goals to just plain fun, and I saw the result of that technique come out in the final brainstorm that produced some really great things for our team projects."
Permission Slips!
Created by Lauren Best of Possibilities Universe.
These Permission Slips were thoughtfully designed to help you stop waiting for external validation and start embracing life on your own terms.
Use them as inspiration—or write your own—whenever you need a gentle reminder that you get to decide what feels right for you.
Tools & Support Provided
01
Creative Facilitation Support
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Button-making Station
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Sticky Notes, Craft Paper, & Markers
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Workshop Templates
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Custom Miro Board to Capture Ideas
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Possibilities Universe Permission Slips
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Celebrate Yourself Prompt Card Deck
08
A Creative Enviroment
09
DIY Materials
10
Documentation and Take-away Materials
I felt creative; I got to know my teammates better; I left feeling lighter or recharged
Testimonials
The Nice Things People Are Saying
I am sold on the Pop CoLab experience, both for our professional team and now I'm thinking "my family would love to spend some time here". For our team there was the genius of moving back and forth between work-based concerns and goals to just plain fun, and I saw the result of that technique come out in the final brainstorm that produced some really great things for our team projects.
James Kornelsen
Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
Donavan was super welcoming and warm. He gave us time to work through our own project-related prompts while gently guiding us throughout the day. The team trivia he organized was super fun and helped us learn more about our teammates!
Thanks for the great day, Donavan.
Lauren R.
Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
The atmosphere and space was so cheerful! It is well designed and well decorated, you instantly wanted to explore. Really appreciated Donavan's guidance and encouragement throughout the day.
Lauren R.
Manitoba Council for International Cooperation
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