Page 91 - The Administrator - A Startling True Story of Politics and Deception_Neat
P. 91
THE ADMINISTRATOR | 79
“IV(a) Gift Planning,” from the Board Retreat agenda on page 90, which is identified
as one of the SU Foundation’s objectives for the coming fiscal year. To achieve this
objective, Alonzo in collaboration with the Development Committee and Foundation
leadership craft a Case Statement for the identification and recruitment of right
caliber of volunteers to sit on the Gift Planning Committee. Hence, the rationale
for the recruitment of afore-mentioned estate attorney, CFA, and insurance
executive.
However, none of these would come to fruition without the leadership and
proactive engagement of a Visionary Board. Therefore, the need for a board
retreat. A Board Retreat is an opportunity for an organization’s Board to come
together once a year to review the past year, identify areas of weakness and
strengths, and plan accordingly for the coming year. Usually the retreat takes place
outside of the organization’s location so that there’s little or no interruptions to the
participants. For not-for-profit entities, the most practical and feasible location
would be a place that comes free and/or with the least expense.
For the sake of an argument, though not all members of a board are
financially well-off; one or more may have far-reaching connections than money –
including having friends or family members who can open doors to hotel lodgings as
well as meeting spaces and/or conference rooms. As an illustration, let’s say SU
Foundation’s location is at 1234 University Drive, and the Board unanimously votes
to have a retreat; but an experienced development director informs the Board that
to be effective, that the retreat would have to take place outside of the site. Some of
the members glare at each other because the venue would be an added expense that
they didn’t anticipate. Hopefully someone on the Board has connections to have the
retreat at his/her own place of employment, or at a buddy’s golf resort/playground.
Better yet, imagine you’re the owner of a stand-a-lone Even Center, or sit on the
general manager (GM) hotel chain with a nice Conference Hall.
