Have you scheduled your nonprofit's 2014 retreat?

We all need to find our ways to effectively retreat from the day to day demands of the world, recharge and refocus. 

For my husband, one way he retreats is to take his motorcycle for long rides. One way I retreat is to explore drawing projects, something I have not done often enough. Our retreats are taken away from our regular work and family demands. Our retreats allow us to reflect and try to be more effective in our lives and careers in the future.

Making time for a retreat is equally important for your nonprofit. 

Your retreat will be most effective if you find a quiet location away from the regular demands of your mission to truly 

How will you effectively move forward with the great work you do in 2014 if you don't set goals and define what progress looks like?

Here are some resource ideas for making your retreat for 2014 planning great: 

• William Moran of the Moran Company offers an excellent Nonprofit Board Retreat Agenda in his Resource Library here. 
• You may replay a Chronicle of Philanthropy discussion on How to Hold a Great Board retreat here. 
• The Canoe Group offers six suggestions to stimulate value at your next board retreat here.

An equally important success factor in your 2014 retreat is incorporating reports on your progress at each 2014 board meeting.

Have you scheduled your retreat yet?

Photo credit above: http://www.flickr.com/photos/stella12/. At Applewood Estate in Flint, Michigan, on retreat with the AAHC Board.