Tips Gathered From Experienced Retreat Leaders
Personal contact via word of mouth is the BEST promotion!
Choose at least three people to invite people individually.
When deciding price, give scholarships instead of lowering price.
Budget for a positive balance (i.e., charge $5 extra to cover unexpected expenses).
Usually 24-48 hours is typical for length of retreat, but it can be more or less.
Be sure to allow for flexibility, spontaneity. Be open to the Spirit!
Over-plan (plan for more than you'll actually include in any one event) so there are no lapses, but allow for flexibility.
Allow time for worship, supervised unstructured time, input, reflection, and reaction.
Individual sessions should be 90 minutes maximum.
Always plan optional strategies in case of a change of circumstances (i.e., weather factors, activity flop).
Choose a site that is not too far away and not too close it's good to have a sense of being apart from your usual setting.
The site should match your objectives for gathering.
Be able to specify what kind of space you need (spaces for gathering the whole group together, as well as breakout spaces for small group activities, for example).
Consider the number of people desirable for your particular objectives. Bigger is not necessarily better.
Touch base with your planning committee at least once during the retreat to review schedule and process, and make any adjustments required.
If appropriate, offer classes or groups for follow-up after the retreat.
In planning, consider the multiple intelligences (learning styles) of your participants. Other Ideas from the group? |
