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

F. Duke Haddad, EdD, CFRE, is currently associate director of development, director of capital campaigns and director of corporate development for The Salvation Army Indiana Division in Indianapolis, Indiana. In addition, he is also president of Duke Haddad and Associates, LLC, and freelance instructor for Nonprofit Web Advisor.

He has been a contributing author to NonProfit PRO for the past 13 years.

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