Note: This guest post is from Laurel McCombs of the Osborne Group. Thanks, Laurel!

Spring cleaning, annual physicals, board retreats. What do these things have in common? 

Admit it, your first thought wasn’t completely positive. On one hand, they can all be viewed as obligatory tasks to be endured once a year. Some may view them as arduous, tedious, even uncomfortable.

But what if we chose to look at them as opportunities: to evaluate our health, our assets, what’s working well and what’s not – in our homes, our bodies, and our organizations. With better assessment, we could plan the future, fix what’s broken, and build upon our successes. 

An uneven history

Over the years, I’ve attended many board retreats: good ones and not-so-good ones. Some retreats focused on training, while others were built around strategic planning. 

Most were missed opportunities.   

As you prepare to make this year’s board retreat the most productive and motivating ever, here are a few Dos and Don’ts to keep in mind.

Don’t procrastinate

Your retreat is important – too important to wait until the last minute and then throw something together. 

Well in advance, assemble an ad hoc committee of board members (or use your executive committee) to develop your retreat objectives and provide input on the agenda. What do they want to accomplish? Why – and why now?

Do be intentional and strategic about the timing

Your retreat should feel like an opportunity rather than an obligation. Avoid the “we always do this on the third week of May” mentality. 

If the usual timing doesn’t make sense, change it. To create the greatest impact on your organization’s plans and priorities, schedule your retreat at a strategic moment.

Your volunteer board members want to use their time effectively. By being intentional and strategic, and planning the agenda in advance, you honor their time. 

Don’t forget the heart 

Board members join your group because of their passion for your mission. However, we sometimes forget to keep that passion ignited. Your retreat is a great moment to do that.

Consider inviting a recipient of your services, a program partner, or one of your program staff to share their firsthand experiences. Help your board reconnect with the mission while building their personal “story bank” about the impact of your work.

Do be brave

Retreats give you the opportunity to address topics that may be holding you back, both organizationally and the board specifically. Don’t shy away from tough discussions. 

If participation in fund development or increasing diversity, equity, and inclusion have been challenges, make time at the retreat for the board to discuss how to address these topics collectively. It can be helpful to bring in an impartial facilitator or trainer to ensure that these discussions are productive.

Don’t make Jack a dull boy

As in “all work and no play…” Build in time for board members to get to know each other. Your board is a team; that team will function better if they know and trust one another. 

Consider an open lunch with no agenda or plan a cocktail hour at the end of the day. If your retreat is virtual, find fun ways to engage socially within that space. Dance party, anyone?

Don’t lose momentum

One of the most common frustrations related to board retreats is poor follow-through. Your collective task is to create and confirm concrete, actionable follow-up items for the board as a whole and as individuals.

If you apply the previous dos and don’ts, your board will leave your retreat feeling enthusiastic and excited for the future. Without consistent follow-up and a well-developed plan, that enthusiasm will fade over time.  

Use this tool to build it better

An effective board is key to the success of your organization – and your board retreat is a critical aspect of their work.  

As you prepare for the day, use this helpful planning tool. All these tips and tools will help you create the most productive, engaging, and inspiring retreat you’ve ever had.