By Carol Weisman, author of "Secrets of Successful Retreats"

The goals of retreats vary dramatically. Sometimes a group needs a quick check-up, sometimes a complete overhaul.

What can you accomplish from a board retreat? 

1. Examine the mission statement
2. Team building
3. An introduction to fund raising
4. Establish roles and responsibilities of board members
5. Creating a vision and direction for the organization
6. Change the fund raising culture of the board
7. Analyze, recruit and orient new board members
8. Solidify and improve board-staff relations
9. Develop a fund raising plan with specific board and staff responsibilities

Planning a retreat and need a good laugh....click here.

The following are three options for board retreats:

Option 1:

• One-Day Retreat

• Board and staff will be interviewed in depth to determine strengths and challenges and to aid in setting the agenda

• Prior to the retreat, goal-setting will be done by staff and board leadership with Carol

• Carol will review all written material available about the organization including 990, by-laws and P.R. materials such as annual report. 

• Typical goals for one-day retreats include: creating a vision, establishing roles and responsibilities, team building, and examining the mission statement. 

• Investment: $1750/day, with a two-day minimum. This includes preparation time, interviews and a written report. The fee is dependent on the number of interviews and the length and depth of the report. 

Option 2:

• One-Day Retreat

• Prior to the retreat, goal-setting will be done by staff and board leadership with Carol

• Carol will review all written material available about the organization including 990, by-laws and P.R. materials such as annual report. 

• Follow up at 3-6 months with face-to-face interactive seminar with board members and Carol

• Monthly conference calls with leadership and Carol to keep process moving and monitor progress.

• Common goals for 6 months include: the above plus more specific training and implementing a fund-raising plan and board recruiting.

• Investment: $7500

Option 3:

• Two One-Day Retreats a year apart 

• Prior to the retreat, goal-setting will be done by staff and board leadership with Carol

• Carol will review all written material available about the organization including 990, by-laws and P.R. materials such as annual report. 

• Follow up at 6 months with face-to-face interactive seminar with board and Carol

• Monthly conference calls with leadership and Carol to keep process moving and monitor progress.

• Unlimited phone access for board and staff. All calls returned within 24 hours.

• Review of marketing materials including fund-raising letters.

• A copy of either Secrets of Successful Fundraising  for every board member and executive team for up to 30 people ($750 value).

• Common goals for 12 months of work include: changing the fund raising culture of the board, developing an individual fund raising plan for each board member, recruiting and orienting a significant portion of the board.

• Investment: $18,000

The questions your group needs to ask are:

1. How much better do we want to be?

2. How much time and effort are our board and staff willing to put into making changes?

3. How will our ability to perform our mission be affected if we don't closely examine the way we are doing business?

Terms for board retreats:

Travel and phone fees for conference calls are the responsibility of the client. This agreement can be canceled by either party with 24-hour notice. A 50% deposit is required to begin work. Space for year-long clients is limited to first come, first served. If space and time are available, a one-day retreat agreement can be renegotiated for additional time.