Excellence to Eminence

Getting Started

Background

A culture retreat is an interactive experience during which individuals and teams learn about their current patterns of acting and interacting. Retreats are facilitated by Culture Transformation Facilitators, trained and certified in the retreat material. 

Given that individuals tend to model their behavior after their leader’s behavior, it is important for leaders to attend retreats with their in-tact teams. The leader plays an important role in setting the tone, modeling vulnerability, and fully engaging. If you believe your team can benefit from a culture retreat, share your thoughts with your leader/manager.

Leaders

Leaders interested in scheduling a culture retreat for one or more of their teams should:

• Identify specific outcomes for the retreat. The more the leader is clear about its purpose, the more focused the retreat can be.
• Decide who will manage retreat logistics (e.g., scheduling, facility reservation, meal planning, etc.).
• Contact Anne Massaro at massaro.11@osu.edu or 614-688-8638.
• Determine retreat attendees and communicate this list to the person managing the logistics (30 attendees are the maximum number for each retreat).
• Invite retreat attendees well in advance of the retreat dates, and remind attendees 2-3 days prior to the retreat (click here for sample invitations). Include a statement of purpose in the invitation.
• Prepare to open the retreat.

Retreat Logistics

Tasks for those responsible for managing retreat logistics include:

• Complete a retreat roster and send it to Renee Fawcett, rfawcett@hr.osu.edu, at least two weeks prior to the retreat dates. Please use attendees' preferred names on the roster so that name tags can reflect attendees’ first names.
• Identify a retreat location and ensure that facility requirements are met (including the availability of a laptop, projector, and remote mouse).
• Communicate the retreat location and the facility contact to Renee Fawcett, rfawcett@hr.osu.edu.
• Collaborate with the facility contact to plan and contract for meals and snacks.
• Assist in scheduling a pre-retreat meeting between the leader, the retreat facilitators, and others identified by the leader (Anne or Renee will assign facilitators).
• Assist in sending out the retreat invitation and answering logistical questions.