Executive Director Retreat

Join a group of your fellow executive directors to learn, reflect, and unwind in a beautiful setting in Albuquerque's North Valley. This retreat offers you an opportunity to take a step back and assess how you want to approach your work as a nonprofit leader.

The retreat will be grounded in two learning sessions, Becoming the Totally Responsible Person and Renewal and Wholeness in the World of Service, and will also include a working session with built-in technical assistance from our staff. Equally important, there will be time for you to enjoy the walking paths, rose garden, and wildlife wetlands on the property. 

Note: Breakfast and lunch are included. Please list any dietary restrictions in the Special Needs field when you register. Participation is limited to 15 executive directors so that there is space for reflection and discussion. 

Learning Objectives

The retreat has been designed to meet three common needs of nonprofit executive directors:

• Develop a network of fellow executive directors
• Build a set of skills that guide your leadership approach
• Discover resources to help navigate the various areas of nonprofit management

Sessions

Becoming the Totally Responsible Person (TRP®)

Lead by Linda Strauss

Create more harmony at work! TRP® is an emotional intelligence training that teaches participants how to stay positive, productive and effective no matter what. We can all learn how to be more resilient, avoid burnout and keep our eyes on the prize. 

We will explore:

• Becoming aware of our triggers
• Letting go of negativity and shifting to collaboration, character and values
• Focusing on our mission and purpose

Renewal and Wholeness in the World of Service

Lead by Jeff Hood

This session will focus on exploring the inner landscape from which we serve and work. One of our basic assumptions is that our service emerges from our identity and integrity. Therefore, it is essential that we get to know our inner selves, for we are the gift we offer to others. You'll learn how to focus on invitation, dialogue, silence and wonder in your interactions with others, rather than on the fixing, advising, encouraging, and coercing that too often pass for help.

Working Session with Technical Assistance

Every executive director has a running To Do list. Is there something that you have been putting off because you're stuck or not sure where to start? This working session gives you space to focus on one item on your To Do list. CNPE staff will be there to recommend helpful resources, and you'll have a network of executive directors to help brainstorm or troubleshoot alongside you. 

Audience

This retreat is for current executive directors of nonprofits. 

Presenters

Jeff Hood holds an MA in Counseling from Southwestern College in Santa Fe. He has focused his 40 year career on community development and soulful personal exploration. He may be found in a variety of experiential settings with groups; out on a ropes course, or practicing the skills of effective communication, or sitting quietly in contemplation of a poem. Jeff has trained with Quaker author Parker Palmer, Marshall Rosenberg, the founder of the Non-Violent Communication, and other leaders in human development. He has just completed his tenure as the Professional Development Specialist at Santa Fe Community College. 

Linda Strauss is a Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience. As the owner of Strauss HR Consulting, Ms. Strauss provides clients with the training, strategic HR programs, coaching, infrastructure, and knowledge necessary to manage employment issues with comfort, confidence and compliance. She also provides services such as leadership development, coaching, and career advisement to professionals in all industries and levels, preparing them for success in their next steps. In addition, Ms. Strauss delivers keynote speeches and soft skills training including interpersonal and communications skills, and emotional intelligence training, designed to enhance success and engagement in work and life.

The Center for Nonprofit Excellence often takes photos during our sessions to share on social media. If you prefer not to be photographed, please let us know in the Special Needs field when you register.