The Importance of an Annual Board Retreat

By F. Duke Haddad

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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F. Duke Haddad Author's page

Duke has extensive experience as a nonprofit practitioner, author, lecturer and consultant. He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO for the last 11 years. He has been a long-standing member of the Association of Fundraising Professionals where he was previously named the AFP Indiana Chapter Fundraising Executive of the Year and has held the CFRE designation for many years.

He received his doctorate degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis in education administration, master's degree from Marshall University with an emphasis in public administration and a bachelor's degree from West Virginia University with an emphasis in marketing/management. He has also completed post graduate work at the University of Louisville.

He is currently executive director of development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis, Indiana. Contact Duke at dhaddad324@gmail.com or 317-224-1029.