"Let’s hold a retreat!" It’s become popular to convene boards of directors and other groups (paid and volunteer) for intensive off-site meetings. But will the time and effort of a retreat produce the results you need? Whether you are on the planning committee for a retreat or have been asked to facilitate it, this book uniquely provides a step-by-step guide to success. Each chapter is written by an acknowledged authority (see table of contents below) on such specialties as selecting the best site for your retreat, working with an outside facilitator, pre-retreat interviewing, team building, and articulating mission and values. Practical and down-to-earth, this book will help organizational leaders and trainers alike.

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(p. 33, from chapter by Terrie Tempkin)

There are a myriad of different reasons why an organization might hold a retreat. For instance, it might want the time to work on uniting its team around common goals, reflect on its mission, vision and values, or plan for the future. Perhaps it needs to develop solutions for specific problems, prepare for a major campaign, resolve conflict, or consider possible collaborations. It might want the privacy to evaluate the executive director or the workings of the board. Or, it might want to teach solicitation techniques or educate the participants about the organization, the demographics affecting it, the group’s roles and responsibilities, or key issues that are too complex to consider in the
course of a typical day, such as legislative issues or legal challenges.

What is your reason for holding this retreat? Be as specific as possible when answering this question.

Table of Contents