I have to plan a one-day retreat for my company's administrative professionals. Has anyone done this before? Any ideas to share?
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Depends on where you are. We had one in Virginia at Xerox. They can give you all kinds of information.
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Anonymous on
9/3/2008 10:25:58 AM
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I just went to a one day Conference for Women, which felt like a retreat in that it was fun, inspiring, received a lot of good ideas, etc. It was broken up into two tracks: 1) Professional Growth and Development and 2) Developing Your Inner Power. You could do something like this at a nice hotel with breakfast and lunch provided.
There are several questions for you to answer before actually planning the retreat. For example:
· Does management have a particular outcome they are looking for?
· How much money can you spend?
· How much time (1/2 day, 1 full day)
· How many administrative professionals will be able to attend (all or will some have to stay behind and work)
o Try to plan around: holidays, end of the month reports, quarterly meetings
· Can you get help from 3-4 so you can divide responsibilities
o Food
o Venue
o Prizes
o Games - teamwork, etc.
· What do the admins expect from this retreat (spa treatment, professional growth, personal growth, a day away from work)?
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Anonymous on
9/3/2008 10:24:36 AM
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Yes, we had a one day clerical offsite for the support employees (which included approximately 10 ladies) in our department for about 8 years. In fact, we were the only department in our company that did this. We would alternate the coordinator for the offsite each year. We would always choose a location offsite to give us a break from our office atmosphere. The day would consist of at least one speaker (some of our past speakers have been motivational, financial planners, area business women, local college representatives, one of our female company senior staff members, and a family life counselor). We also include some sort of treat (make up consultants, chair massages, image consultants, historic tour). We would also have time on the agenda to talk about common issues. And we chose to go out to have a nice lunch. Our budget also included enough money to give a gift each year (monogrammed keychain, monogrammed business card holder, gift certificates).
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Anonymous on
9/3/2008 8:44:40 AM
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Regarding a one-day retreat, our admin. professionals do this on an annual basis.
I am not sure of what you had in mind but some examples of what was given to us are:
1) A day at the spa. It was the hour hour package. After the spa, we were given the remainder of the day off with pay.
2) One year a limo picked us up in front of our building. We had an all expenses paid lunch at an up scale restaurant and then given the remainder of the day off with pay.
3) One year we took a double decker bus tour of the city (of which was pretty interesting) preceded by lunch and then again given the remainder of the day off with pay.
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Anonymous on
9/3/2008 8:43:30 AM
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Though we don't have retreats for only support staff, we do celebrate Administrative Professionals Day with a catered lunch and interesting guest speakers. This year we had a speaker from the credit union talk about financial literacy (ID theft, credit reports, etc.); one speaker talked about telephone etiquette; one of our attorneys had a power point presentation on the Public Records Law (since we are a public entity); and we ended with a 45-minute Yoga demonstration.
Every September we also have a day-long retreat for the entire staff (82 people). We always have the HR Director give a team building or some HR hot topic presentation. This year we'll also include a speaker on personal wealth. A catered lunch is included.
We try to make the retreats educational and fun!
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Jacqueline Gasper on
9/3/2008 8:01:47 AM
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Our support staff team holds an annual retreat. We set a purpose for the retreat, such as "to improve teaming skills, to improve communication and to identify/prioritize action items". The retreat is meant to be informative and fun. Normally, a retreat committee is formed to handle the various aspects of the retreat (food, guest speakers, location, etc...). A nice location with a view and plenty of space are nice to have. Our team starts out with office updates and we move on to discussions regarding the vision of team (Dept), strategic planning. In between the "work" sessions, we have icebreakers, trust building exercises and team building exercises. These are all meant to be fun and thought provoking. Guest speakers have included an HR Consultant to talk about team building, a meditation specialist to teach us relaxing /de-stressing techniques, and a motivational speaker, just to name a few. A good website for ideas on team building, trust building and icebreakers can be found at: http://wilderdom.com/games/InitiativeGames.html. Depending on the budget, out team usually receives an item w/ the Dept. logo, to take home (items could be: t-shirts, umbrella, throw blanket, pen set, etc..). Good luck with your retreat.
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Jackie Baumgardt on
9/3/2008 7:52:29 AM
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I have been involved in planning a retreat. We go somewhere away from the office, to a conference center at a retreat or hotel. The office provides snacks, drinks, and lunch. We usually start with games that each participant plans to helps to make everyone feel comfortable. They are games designed to let everyone tell a little something personal about themselves. After that we have discussions about items and situtations that we have problems with or need help with. We also discuss positive situtations that are in the office that may be of help to others. Lunch is either catered or the group goes to a local resturant. The afternoon is more discussion about office policies that we feel need changing, upcoming events, or anything else that the participants want to discuss. The last retreat we have we spent the afternoon weaving a basket. (One of the ladies in our office is a basket weaving insturctor. The office paid for each of us to have a kit.) Hope this helps some.
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Patricia Taylor on
9/3/2008 7:26:27 AM
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I've never done this before - but it sounds great! If it is purely for fun, how about a spa retreat? Or, perhaps a nice lunch somewhere with a motivational speaker after. Good luck and have fun.
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Debbie Faust on
9/2/2008 1:32:09 PM
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I'm wondering if you have already booked the venue. If so, is it a hotel? Conference center?
Just make sure there is plenty of room for everyone, good lighting and air flow. Many people don't take these things into consideration and then you end up in a cramped room where the participants are drifting off or even falling alseep from lack of air circulation and proper lighting. (Seems like a "given," doesn't it?) Oh, and the sound system,,, wireless mic/laptop remote? Personally, I feel that the person presenting should be able to move around and not be stuck at a lecturn or laptop.
Raffles are always fun. Perhaps a certificate from a spa or if you are at a hotel, they may comp a weekend getaway. Prizes should be pulled "randomly" through out the day.
As for meals, I'm sure you have a feel for the people in your office; would they prefer sit-down or buffet? Are there people with certain dietary restrictions? Low-sodium? Kosher? (The last thing you want is for someone to feel out of place.) Open seating or will you create a seating chart? If you will be doing group exercises in the morning, will the groups be assigned? If so, then perhaps you may want to consider open seating for lunch. And if at all possible, I find that people prefer a "non-working" lunch with a short break to check vm, e-mails or make a phone call.
Lastly, I know this sounds like another "given" but I think it's a nice touch when the "highest" executive in attendance takes time before the event ends to formally thank people for attending.
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Dena on
9/2/2008 1:29:16 PM
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I like the Abbey Resort near Lake Geneva. Beautiful hotel with lots to do. Can arrange a boat cruise for dinner or lunch. There is a spa and game room on site.
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BabyBoy525 on
9/2/2008 1:22:38 PM
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is it for fun? team building? planning meeting? All of these things come into play before deciding where to have it. It is easy to plan when you use a facility that has meeting rooms or their business is to host such events. They do most of the work for you, all you have to do is "fill in the blanks".
Kim Fritz gives you lots of good ideas (fun ones too). It seems overwhelming the first time, but you'll be surprised at how easily it all falls into place!
Good luck!
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SLB on
9/2/2008 1:04:25 PM
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I am preparing for a 1-day retreat for our executive management team this Friday! We are holding it at a lovely beach resort locally (Don CeSar in St Pete Beach FL). We are working with a facilitator to direct the contest of the meeting as we begin the staff planning process for our 3-year strategic plan in conjunction with a follow-up staff and board retreat in early November. I have arranged for a light, continental breakfast in the morning. The group will meet in a well-appointed board room to include leather seating, window view, and private restrooms. We will adjourn for lunch at their restaurant at 12 Noon (participants will pre-order meal by 11am so we can have it ready for us right away). Return for meeting from 1-3pm. A "Color Break" in green will be set at 3pm (green M&Ms, green apples and peanut butter and bottled waters). We'll conclude at 5pm. The hotel is providing a VIP amenity for the facilitator at his room, and we are also preparing a gift basket to present at the conclusion of the meeting. Further, I have ordered a special book for presentation to each staff participant from our CEO as a gift. Don't forget to plan for logistics: A/V, pens, pads, name placecards, power concerns, flip carts, markers, tape, sticky notes, etc. I have been an event and meeting planner for several years, so I will be happy to give you any tips or suggestions you may need along the way - don't hesitate to contact me! Kim (kfritz@stpeteymca.org)
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Kim Fritz on
9/2/2008 12:40:26 PM
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What are your objectives for the retreat? Is it for learning, team building, leisure, sharing information?
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Karen Clendenin on
9/2/2008 10:36:40 AM
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