BUILDING UNITY THROUGH RETREATS

1. BUILDING UNITY THROUGH RETREATS Mari Ann Callais, Ph.D. CAMPUSPEAK/CAPSTONE/DELTA DELTA DELTA

2. WHY RETREATS? • Chapters, IFC/Panhellenic/Pan-Hellenic Councils, Greek Community, etc. hold retreats for a variety of reasons but the main reason usually is to strengthen the bond of sisterhood/brotherhood. A retreat may have a specific purpose such as a recruitment retreat to plan recruitment. Other types of retreats include: member/new member retreats, initiation retreats, officer retreats, or goal setting retreats. • The key to a successful retreat is establishing its desired goal and directing energy to achieving that goal. • Themes – bringing everyone together on the same page • Brotherhood since 1852 • Looking Forward to Another 150 Years

3. TYPES OF RETREATS • Officer Transition- outgoing/incoming officer report forms, goal-setting, calendar planning, policy/procedure review, expectations of office, projects, personality tests, motivation survey, evaluation of your organization, team building activities, communication skills, case studies, etc. • Leadership - sessions on relevant topics, i.e. risk management, health issues impacting your membership, officer training, university relations, diversity, community relations, sisterhood/brotherhood building, All Greek Retreat, relationships, values, ethics, creativity, crisis management, confrontation, etc. • Brotherhood/Sisterhood - team building, group activities & competitions, song, alumnae/alumni speaker, history trivia, senior wills, member roles, ritual review, re-dedication ceremony, regional officer report, chapter officer expectations, standards, values & ethics, communication skills, etc. • New Member Orientation- mentor program, individual expectations, chapter expectations, team building, and introduction to Panhellenic/IFC/NPHC/Multicultural, national organization review, new members ceremony, activity planning, speakers on relevant topic, succeeding academically, social with other new members, getting involved, etc.

4. GROUP ACTIVITIES • Some resources to obtain new and fun activities for your organization are: • Your National Organization websites and Facebook pages • NIC Brotherhood Building Activities I & II • National Magazines • Greek Advisor files • Chapter Consultants • Encyclopedia of Ice Breakers and Team Building Activities • Use your history and tradition • Have a guest speaker come in and do low impact ropes course types of activities

5. Retreat planning • I. Determine type of retreat by objectives to be achieved • A. Obtain input from chapter, other officers, advisers, alumnae/alumni, etc. • B. Objectives should be in keeping with time and resources available • II. Select format for retreat • A. On campus, one-day type retreat-useful for limited objective and factual and factual information given. • B. Weekend, away from campus retreat-useful for dealing with emotional issues, brotherhood/sisterhood development, philosophical issues, and involved subject matter • III. Choose Facilities • A. Secluded or closed to others during retreat times • B. Affordable • C. Easily accessible • D. Conducive to objective of retreat • E. Comfortable • F. Suggestions: (campus facilities, church halls, state parks, resorts off season).

6. Retreat Planning Cont. IV. Develop program • A. Survey potential participants, campus officials, faculty, chapter consultants, and other campuses 1) Retreat theme 2) Get ideas on topics of interest, needs of members, speaker resources 3) Decide on whether to have concurrent sessions (may depend on # of participants) 4) Determine session topics and contact speakers and facilitators • B. Allot enough time to accomplish purpose of session 1) Allow sufficient break time 2) Vary activities to prevent boredom 3) Plan social time and activities if appropriate • C. Plan Meals - Remember to Feed Them! Bring Snacks! 1) Should be together 2) Enough food so participants will have energy 3) During breaks beverages should be provided 4) Should be relaxed and fun • D. Assignments 1) Assign partners and sections for meetings. Assign individual who don't normally work together. Attempt to break up cliques and groupings. 2) Overnight retreats-assign rooms and roommates for Greek retreats, should be different sororities and different fraternities respectfully.

7. Develop guidelines – Tell them the purpose of the retreat • A. Establish time of arrival and departure • B. Establish consequences for not attending or rewards for attending • C. Expectations regarding dress, behavior, etc. • D. Establish travel policy – Give Everyone A Map! Or at least the address to GPS the location and a number to reach you and other leaders! • E. Establish the rules before you get to the retreat! • If there is to be no alcohol, tell them that in writing. Give them a flyer with all of the information that they need to make this event a success. Don’t assume they know anything! Tell them what to bring – sleeping bags, outdoor wear, flashlights, etc.

8. Develop a budget • A. Expenses 1) Speaker expenses-try to use local talent when possible 2) Meals 3) Accommodations (meeting and sleep rooms) 4) Travel expenses • B. Resources for revenue 1) Chapter budget (Anticipated and planned during budget time) 2) Council budget 3) Individual assessments (not unreasonable to assume that participants should help with the cost of meals and supplies, but keep it to minimum to insure maximum participation) 4) Fundraisers, or marketing in conjunction with retreat, (i.e. t-shirts sponsored by company, sell ads in program, etc.)

9. Supplies and Evaluation Supply List • iPods – Have everyone bring theirs or make playlist that you can just run! Also bring speakers to play them on! • Sports Equipment – footballs, basketballs, Frisbees, etc – outdoor activities are always the best especially on a beautiful day! • Supplies for activities • Snacks • Any handouts Plan an Evaluation of the Experience • A. Develop an evaluation form to be completed by each participant at the end of the retreat. This form should elicit information about speakers, content, assessment of objectives, plus suggestions for future. • B. Develop techniques to measure change in the organization after time has passed. For example, if one objective was to reduce chapter accounts receivable, have the treasurer make periodic reports. • C. Ask for evaluation from any outside leaders who participated in the retreat. This would include adviser evaluations.

10. Thank You! Mari Ann Callais, Ph.D. www.marianncallais.com mac@marianncallais.com www.facebook.com/dr.marianncallais www.CAMPUSPEAK.COM