It's been over 20 years since Cochrane Ideas helped to open the doors of the mind to examine a wide range of topics.

Forced to take a break during the pandemic, it hasn't held a meeting in about a year. In that time, it has seen a change in leadership with a rejuvenated and expanded board to enter its third decade.

Long-time resident Leslie Davies is among those leading the charge with the same vigor and commitment with which it was created.  She is passionate about reaching beyond what Leo Tolstoy called “the reception rooms of our minds.”

"Way back from the beginning, it has been about thinking more deeply about particular issues, whatever they are. Let's think broader, more deeply, about all these issues rather than just keeping everyone, the rest of society, at bay in the "reception rooms of our minds."

Davies was involved when the Cochrane Ideas Group was formed in 2000 and attended their gatherings regularly. She moved to Mexico to work as a volunteer, then returning to teach, and didn't have time to commit. She retired last June as principal of the St. Margaret School, in Calgary, can commit.

"I love that it's such a wide variety of topics, that it can be anything from death to alternative energy to how to build a bridge, to the environment. It's such a wide variety of topics, and it's just fascinating."

She says the question and answer periods following presentations help to further explore ideas. 

"That's always interesting because we have many, many interesting people coming to join us at Ideas, so you never know where the conversation is going to go."

In 20 years, there has never been a shortage of topics or speakers because a wide variety of experts call the Cochrane area home.

"We have an amazing variety of people and variety of backgrounds of people to draw from, and expertise and knowledge, and so I plan to be out there pounding the pavement, literally."

The 'elders' of the board, David Sweeny, Heinz Unger, and Andy Marshall, will be taking a step back later this year.

"They're going to help guide us into this new phase of the Cochrane Ideas board. We're very grateful for that because the wisdom and expertise they bring is incredible."

Heinz Unger says when they were forced to cancel an October meeting, it lead to Davies stepping forward. She was disappointed the meeting had been cancelled. The core reached out to her to ask her if she was interested in becoming involved. He's excited about seeing a new generation of leadership continue to keep Cochrane Ideas vibrant and looks forward to his new role as an 'elder.'

Besides Davies, new board members include Timothy Tammam and Louis Arseneault, who have joined existing board members, Cheryl Hardy and William Hawkins.

Cochrane Ideas was founded in 2000 to promote the exchange of knowledgeable and rigorous positions on a wide range of subjects. Guest speakers and discussions over the years have focused on economic, social, environmental, political, historical, biographical, creative, artistic, personal, gender-based, religious, and spiritual topics.

For more information on Cochrane Ideas, go here.