I've been to too many retreats. This one is the opposite of most, so we should call it an advance. Thirty-eight trustees and faculty are convened at trustee Jane Stetson's spacious ski lodge at Spruce Peak at Stowe to consider core values, core purposes, vision statements and strategic initiatives for the future. The facilitators are truly gifted, and it's all working splendidly. Here are some folks weighting the value of posted concepts with colorful stickies:
It is a rare opportunity for administrators and trustees to spend real time together crafting a common vision. The whole thing is fueled by common love and dedication, and there's plenty of that going around.
One of our exercises was to create a magazine cover announcing something about Proctor in the near-distant future. Here is a sample. It's the cover of Economist proclaiming that we've funded 100% financial assistance for every student with documented financial need:
I only wish students could somehow be here to see the depth of passion exhibited by the alumni, past-parents and parents who comprise the Board. The trustees' perspective of the school is enduring and historic, rendering each individual student's 4-year experience to a critically important--but stunningly brief--chapter in a story that will go on and on...
Hey: Happy 16th to the remarkable Kat Heyl! Thanks for painting the bags for the retreat! You da bomb!
