Retreats

With the turnover rate of students involved in organizations, it is necessary to continually develop goals and created relationships among members. One way of achieving these is by conducting a retreat with the organization. Retreats can vary in size and scope, from an overnight event to a Saturday afternoon. As an advisor, you can play a role in guiding students in developing their goals and making the bonds among themselves that are necessary for an organization to flourish. The Center for Student Involvement can assist you and the organization in planning a retreat and provide resources that you may wish to use. Retreats are an excellent opportunity to inform organization members of the rules that govern them along with all the opportunities and resources they have. Remember that as an advisor, you can help to provide a historical knowledge about the organization. Take advantage of the retreat to possibly offer past knowledge about the organization but realize that the organization does change and may take on different goals. As an advisor be sure to recommend a retreat, if not for the entire group, at least for the officers. Also be sure not to dominate the retreat, keeping in mind that this is the student’s time to take ownership and bond as a group.