Harriet Tubman Museum of NJ: Board Retreat
The inaugural Board Retreat for the Harriet Tubman Museum marked a significant step forward for the organization. It provided an opportunity for Board members to reflect on their past successes and challenges, engage in constructive dialogue, and align their vision for the future. The Viney Group's expert design and management of the retreat facilitated the Board's transition to a strategic role, setting the stage for the museum's continued growth and success.
BACKGROUND
The Harriet Tubman Museum in Cape May, New Jersey, held its inaugural Board Retreat on June 27 and June 28, 2022. The two-day event was organized at The Chalfonte Hotel to help the museum's Board transition from a working Board to a strategic Board. The retreat, designed and managed by Ivy Newman, Principal of The Viney Group, LLC, aimed to facilitate Board building and usher in a new era of leadership.
METHODOLOGY
In preparation for the retreat, Ivy Newman reviewed the organization's website and conducted an interview with Executive Director. The interview explored the Board's successes and challenges in its formative years, providing valuable insights that informed the retreat agenda, segments, and activities. All seven Board members participated in the retreat, which included activities and discussions that encouraged consensus-building dialogue among the entire Board.
ACTIVITIES + OUTCOMES
During the retreat, Board members engaged in various activities designed to foster collaboration, strategic thinking, and a unified vision for the museum's future. The activities, shaped by input from the leadership interview, aimed to address the specific challenges and successes identified by the Board in its initial years. Through consensus-building dialogue, the Board members were able to find common ground, establish shared goals, and develop a roadmap for transitioning to a strategic Board.
The retreat proved successful in addressing the needs of the Board members and in providing a framework for the transition from a working Board to a strategic Board. The Viney Group's tailored approach, informed by thorough research and input from museum leadership, ensured that the retreat met the unique needs of the Harriet Tubman Museum's Board.
