Nurturing relationships at GIFT's Leadership Retreat
If you missed the 2018 Community Foundation Leadership Retreat…well, you really did miss out—but also, we really missed you!
This annual, 2-day GIFT event welcomes executive directors from Indiana's numerous community foundations. Because so many of these leaders are managing tremendous growth in both assets and staff, we spent time covering external community leadership and internal management leadership. In fact, this is an overall programming theme for 2018-2019.
Beyond building leadership skills, coming together to simply network is important. Indiana's community foundation leaders are a pretty tight-knit group, and they often lean on each other for support and guidance. Nurturing these relationships helps our leaders to not be so isolated in their work and to foster the continued partnership and collegial culture of Hoosier community foundations.
Each year, GIFT's Leadership Retreat provides a forum for our leaders to get to know one another, to share in successes, and to commiserate in the struggles. This year’s networking came in many forms. There were plenty of table discussions and get-to-know-you activities built into our program. Our leaders also kicked back and connected socially during our cocktail reception and while exploring some top-notch Indy eateries.
While reflecting on the success of this year's retreat, perhaps Dawn Brown, president/CEO of Grant County Community Foundation, said it best. “I talked to so many people I don’t normally get to see, since they aren’t in my region. A few tears were shed by those dealing with difficult circumstances. And many laughs were shared as we realized we’re not the only ones dealing with some oddball things! Something about being all together just made me feel like I’m part of a tribe that loves me and that I love. That group—they are my people!”
Check out our program resource page to download retreat handouts, including information on leadership, culture, and spicing up grant reports.
By Sonya Hallett, GIFT Consultant, Indiana Philanthropy Alliance