The Importance of an Annual Board Retreat

By Duke Haddad, Ed.D.

There are multiple definitions of the word “retreat.”

In blog post titled “Top 6 Reasons for Having a Board Retreat this Year,” Amy Eisenstein noted that there are six no-nonsense reasons to have a board retreat this year, which include:

Fulfill your mission. Your board needs to be engaged and involved, and it is time to regroup, reconnect and recharge.
Re-energize and re-engage your board. Reignite the passion for the mission in board members. Tell a story, etc. to remind them of why they are there.
Review roles and responsibilities. Provide a board member expectation worksheet and have each member sign it. Review expectations of members and have members do a self-assessment.
Plan for the year. Review your strategic plan and discuss possible updates. Break into committees and set goals plus action steps.
Raise more money. Talk about giving and getting money. Emphasize 100 percent board-donor participation. Provide fundraising training to them.
Networking and socializing. Provide ample social and networking time, so members can get to know each other.

In the blog post titled “Retreats That Make a Difference,” Carol Weisman pointed out that the goals of retreats vary dramatically. From time to time, a group needs a check-up or a complete revamp. Weisman states the following can be accomplished from a board retreat:

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Duke Haddad, Ed.D. Author's page

Duke Haddad, Ed.D., CFRE, is currently the divisional associate executive director of development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division. He specializes in corporate development and capital campaigns. When time allows, he serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and as a freelance educator for various educational entities.

He has contributed more than 600 articles to NonProfit PRO since 2008.

He earned his doctorate degree from West Virginia University, with an emphasis in education administration and a dissertation on donor characteristics. He also holds a master’s degree from Marshall University, with an emphasis on public administration and a thesis on annual fund program analysis. He received his bachelor’s degree, cum laude, in marketing and management from West Virginia University.

Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also has been honored with the Outstanding West Virginian Award, the Kentucky Colonel Award, and theSagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky, and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions to the field of philanthropy. He has been an AFP member for more than 40 years and has held the Certified Fund Executive (CFRE) designation for more than 30 years.

This year, Duke was named to Marquis Who’s Who in America for 2026-2027 and as an International CFRE Ambassador. He also recently published the book, "Prescriptions Rx for Nonprofit Success," which features more than 30 previously published articles, including several from NonProfit PRO.