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 associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis. He also serves as president of Duke Haddad and Associates LLC and is a freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.

He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO since 2008.

He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis on education administration plus a dissertation on donor characteristics. He received a master’s degree from Marshall University with an emphasis on public administration plus a thesis on annual fund analysis. He secured a bachelor’s degree (cum laude) with an emphasis on marketing/management. He has done post graduate work at the University of Louisville.

Duke has received the Fundraising Executive of the Year Award, from the Association of Fundraising Professionals Indiana Chapter. He also was given the Outstanding West Virginian Award, Kentucky Colonel Award and Sagamore of the Wabash Award from the governors of West Virginia, Kentucky and Indiana, respectively, for his many career contributions in the field of philanthropy. He has maintained a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) designation for three decades.