![]() ![]() This background information will help your group make key decisions, such as whether to start a program focused specifically on a single major preservation problem, and to finalize a thorough plan. You may want to assign each problem to a member, volunteer, or intern to develop a background brief of the problem. Your group should come away from a retreat with a "To Do" list of follow-up activities: phone calls to make, questions to answer, and tasks to complete. Your facilitator should be able to shepherd productive conversations toward meaningful goals. Your facilitator should have a track record of steering groups toward strategic goals and tackling difficult subjects without hesitation. Ask detailed questions about a candidate's experience and style. Seek recommendations from other arts, culture, and historic preservation groups in your region. ![]() ![]() Ideally, your facilitator should have some knowledge of your subject. A skilled facilitator will make certain that everyone leaves the retreat knowing what tasks he or she needs to complete as a part of a unified mission. Because the facilitator is not an insider, he or she can bridge connections and restate a good idea in a way that neutralizes any organizational baggage. A good facilitator will help your group to let go of old ideas and focus on your group's present and future.Ī neutral facilitator lacks the emotional investment of the group's members. Some of your group members may get bogged down in day-to-day details and conventional ways of thinking about problems. The facilitator helps to maintain the retreat's objective and keep conversations on track. You can benefit from the lessons other groups have learned by tapping the facilitator's bank of experience.Ī good facilitator is a bit like a marriage counselor. An expert facilitator has likely witnessed organizational issues similar to yours. The cost of securing a good facilitator is well worth the investment. It is almost always a good decision to hire an experienced facilitator for an organizational retreat. Hiring a Retreat Facilitator: Worth the Investment The more comfortable your participants, the more likely you'll get their best input. They should be given ample opportunity to walk around, clear their minds, and socialize. Wherever you meet, your participants should be comfortable sitting there for long periods of time. Your retreat space will be an important factor in the event's success, so it is worth an investment. If you find a great space but you can't afford the rental fee, try to secure underwriting support from a corporate sponsor. If you choose this option, break up the retreat into two parts, with a more conventional meeting one day followed by a road trip the next. You might also consider hosting a "moving retreat" on a bus to visit organizations around the region who have dealt with issues your organization is facing. If you want to mix things up and play off the "retreat" theme, reserve a lodge or group campsite at a state park. Location, Location, LocationĬonventional retreat sites are spaces that are open to the public and can be reserved at little or no cost, such as: You might also decide to hold a retreat once a year just to review your accomplishments, explore your missteps, chart your progress on a strategic plan, or prepare your budget and work plan for the upcoming year. Consider finding a location that is especially inspiring and relaxing. Participants are removed from their regular surroundings, away from daily email, phone calls, and everyday tasks.Ī retreat is a good idea when your group is creating significant organizational steering tools, such as your strategic plan or your advocacy plan. The act of gathering together in a new venue often spurs new and creative thinking. A retreat helps to build a sense of community and commonality among participants that can recharge your whole group. Right to the city retreat free#A retreat will allow your group to focus on a difficult issue in a setting that is free of daily distractions. If your historic preservation advocacy group is facing a large or complex issue, you may consider organizing a retreat. ![]()
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |