Board Retreats can be a good source of communication.
By Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director - United Way of Charlotte County
This year marks the beginning of my seventh year as Executive Director at United Way of Charlotte County (UWCC). It is hard to believe all that has happened over the years. Working with my staff and board of directors has been such a meaningful experience. I am grateful that each of the board members, from all walks of life, have chosen to invest their time to be part of the UWCC journey.
UWCC Board Members are amazing volunteers and stakeholders in our community each wanting to make a significant impact in Charlotte County. I am grateful for their time, talent, and unwavering commitment.
As I met with staff this summer to plan the annual board retreat, it was clear we wanted to get to know our board members, especially with new team members recently being hired. The theme for the board members centered on Knowing Your Staff – Knowing Our Work – Knowing your Role.
Team building prior to the retreat included planning each phase thoughtfully with intention and function. Ultimately, what made the biggest impact was breaking out into smaller groups of 4 to 5 board members each led by 1 to 2 staff members who shared their work and contribution to our strategic priorities. Board members listened, connected, and enthusiastically provided input on activating the UWCC vision in this next year.
The staff and board members have created a closer relationship with each other and understand the direction of each UWCC position. There are many benefits to having open communication with employees and board members. Interaction with the board and staff helps provide good communication while ensuring alignment on the vision and strategic priorities of the organization.
Melissa Reichert, UWCC Board Member and City of Punta Gorda Assistant City Manager expressed “Your knowledge and ability to articulate all the nuances of each of your areas of focus was so impressive and inspiring. This is by far one of the best board retreats I have ever participated in. From the thought put into to the icebreaker to the ending ask of commitment, you kept everyone interested, engaged and wanting to learn more.”
UWCC board members are invested in our work and participate as liaisons in our various priorities. We as a team are thankful for the continued insight and interest from the board members.
I heard this quote a couple years ago and today it resonates with me, “Anything we accomplish in life is never accomplished alone but TOGETHER.” This makes sense as I witness board members helping staff members in ways that align with our mission. They know each other on a personal level, have compassion and genuinely care for one another. The board can SEE the staff and all they are accomplishing in our community. Taking the time to know every staff member has increased the level of engagement, transparency, and effectiveness within United Way of Charlotte County.
To learn more about our United Way of Charlotte County Board Members, please visit: www.unitedwayccfl.org/board
For more information about United Way of Charlotte County’s mission: Mobilizing the power of our community to break the cycle of poverty, please contact Angie Matthiessen, Executive Director. She can be reached at director@unitedwayccfl.org.