Barbershop Books: Staff Retreat
The 2022 staff retreat for Barbershop Books, skillfully designed and managed by the Viney Group, effectively nurtured team building, conducted a thoughtful organizational assessment and facilitated the sharing and progression of innovative ideas. The retreat offered staff members a chance to reflect on their roles, collaborate with colleagues, and make meaningful contributions to the organization's ongoing growth. Celebrating its impressive 10th Anniversary, Barbershop Books' retreat has solidified a firm foundation, paving the way for a new era marked by exceptional teamwork and accomplishments.
BACKGROUND
On June 17, 2022, Barbershop Books held a staff retreat at the Gentleman’s Factory in Brooklyn, New York, to celebrate its 10th Anniversary and facilitate team building for a new era. The retreat was expertly designed and managed by Ivy Newman who reviewed the organization's website and interviewed Executive Directors to understand Barbershop Books' successes and challenges. These insights shaped the retreat agenda, segments, and activities, which included presentations, team exercises, discussions, and consensus-building dialogue.
RETREAT GOALS
The primary goals for the staff retreat were:
To build a stronger team and orient new team members.
To assess and reflect upon the organization and build capacity.
To advance ideas while sharing information and feedback.
ACTIVITIES + OUTCOMES
Team Building and Orientation: Activities included icebreakers, group exercises, and sharing sessions to build rapport and help new members integrate into the team. Team members shared their experiences, personal stories, and goals, creating an atmosphere of mutual understanding and trust.
Organizational Assessment and Capacity Building: Staff members engaged in reflective discussions and assessments of Barbershop Books' past achievements, current initiatives, and future goals. They identified strengths and areas for improvement, offering valuable feedback to strengthen the organization's capacity.
Advancing Ideas and Sharing Information: Presentations and discussions allowed team members to share their insights, ideas, and feedback on various projects and initiatives. Consensus-building dialogues facilitated open communication and collaboration, encouraging innovative solutions and a shared vision for the organization's future.
