Newark Arts Board Retreat
Transformative Joy—Rooted and Embodied
Experience the power of Conflict Bravery—transformative practices that build courage, foster authentic dialogue, and create stronger communities through joy-centered approaches.
Overview
A comprehensive board retreat focused on transformative joy and community building
Transformative Joy—Rooted and Embodied
This proposal outlines a comprehensive board retreat for Newark Arts focused on strengthening board dynamics, celebrating organizational achievements, and aligning on strategic priorities through art-based engagement, liberatory design practices, and trauma-informed processes. We believe that joy, when intentionally cultivated, becomes a powerful catalyst for meaningful organizational transformation and authentic community building.
Mission-Centered Approach
Our approach centers joy as both a practice and outcome, creating space for board members to connect authentically with the mission, each other, and their individual contributions to Newark Arts' transformative work. This methodology ensures that every activity and discussion is grounded in the organization's core values while fostering genuine relationships among board members.
Community Impact
Through liberatory design principles and trauma-informed facilitation, we create lasting transformation that extends beyond the retreat into the community Newark Arts serves. This approach recognizes the interconnected nature of individual healing, organizational health, and community wellbeing, ensuring that the benefits of our work ripple outward to create positive change.
Introduction + Intentions
Six core intentions guiding our transformative retreat experience
Center Transformative Joy
Ground the retreat experience in joy as both a practice and outcome, creating authentic connections between board members and the transformative mission of Newark Arts.
Strengthen Board Dynamics
Build deeper relationships among board members through shared experiences, collaborative activities, and meaningful dialogue that enhances collective governance.
Celebrate Achievements
Create dedicated space to acknowledge and honor the significant work accomplished by Newark Arts and its board members over the past year.
Align Strategic Priorities
Facilitate collaborative alignment on key organizational priorities and strategic direction through inclusive, art-based engagement processes.
Welcome New Members
Provide meaningful orientation and integration opportunities for new board members through ceremony and structured relationship-building.
Embody Liberatory Practices
Utilize liberatory design principles, trauma-informed approaches, and art-based methodologies that reflect Newark Arts' values and community-centered mission.
Retreat Objectives
Five key objectives that will guide our transformative journey together
Welcome/Orientation
Create an inclusive and joyful opening that welcomes all board members, especially new members, and establishes the retreat's foundation in transformative joy and authentic connection.
Reflect/Celebrate
Facilitate meaningful reflection on organizational achievements and individual contributions, celebrating successes through creative expression and shared storytelling.
Assess/Align
Engage board members in collaborative assessment of current organizational priorities and strategic alignment through interactive, art-based processes that honor diverse perspectives.
Commit/Energize
Generate collective commitment to shared priorities and action steps while building energy and enthusiasm for the work ahead through creative movement and collaborative planning.
Embody Joy
Integrate joy as both practice and outcome throughout all retreat activities, ensuring board members leave feeling energized, connected, and aligned with Newark Arts' transformative mission.
Retreat Flow (Draft Agenda)
Seven thoughtfully designed sections creating a transformative journey
Grounding & Welcome
Opening ceremony featuring welcome rituals for new board members, grounding exercises, and intention setting that establishes the retreat's foundation in transformative joy.
Gallery Walk Reflection
Interactive gallery walk with visual and narrative prompts celebrating organizational achievements, individual contributions, and community impact stories.
Creative Storytelling & Sharing
Art-based storytelling activities where board members share personal connections to Newark Arts' mission through creative expression and collaborative dialogue.
Strategic Alignment Workshop
Collaborative assessment and alignment session using liberatory design practices to identify shared priorities and strategic direction for the organization.
Movement & Energizers
Creative movement activities and laughter-based energizers designed to build connection, release tension, and embody joy as a collective practice.
Commitment-to-Action Document
Collaborative creation of commitment documents outlining individual and collective action steps, accountability structures, and shared goals moving forward.
Closing & Debrief
Joyful closing ritual featuring reflection, appreciation, and commitment ceremonies that honor the work accomplished and energy generated during the retreat.
Agenda Notes
Facilitator Approach
Six core principles guiding our facilitation methodology
Liberatory Design Practices
Utilizing design justice principles that center equity, inclusion, and community wisdom in all facilitation approaches and decision-making processes. This framework ensures that power dynamics are acknowledged and addressed, creating space for all voices to be heard and valued in the retreat experience.
Art-Based Engagement
Integrating creative expression, visual storytelling, and artistic methodologies that honor diverse learning styles and cultural ways of knowing. Through hands-on creative activities, participants can explore complex ideas, share personal experiences, and build connections in ways that transcend traditional verbal communication.
Trauma-Informed Process
Creating psychologically safe spaces that acknowledge individual and collective experiences while building resilience and authentic connection. Our approach recognizes that healing happens in community and that organizational transformation requires attention to both individual and systemic wellbeing.
Joy-Centered Facilitation
Grounding all activities in joy as both practice and outcome, ensuring celebration and positive energy flow throughout the retreat experience. This approach recognizes joy as a form of resistance and a pathway to sustainable engagement, helping participants reconnect with their passion for the work.
Culturally Responsive Methods
Honoring the cultural richness of Newark Arts community through facilitation approaches that reflect and celebrate diverse backgrounds and perspectives. We integrate multiple ways of knowing, learning, and being to create an inclusive environment where all participants can show up authentically.
Collaborative Leadership
Sharing facilitation power with board members, encouraging peer-to-peer learning, and creating opportunities for distributed leadership throughout the retreat. This approach builds capacity within the organization while ensuring that the retreat outcomes are truly owned by the participants themselves.
Deliverables
Comprehensive support from planning through post-retreat follow-up
Pre-Retreat Planning & Preparation
Comprehensive retreat design, materials preparation, space setup, and coordination with Newark Arts leadership to ensure seamless execution and maximum impact. This includes customizing activities to align with your organization's specific goals, preparing all necessary materials, and conducting pre-retreat interviews with key stakeholders to understand the current board dynamics and desired outcomes.
Full-Day Retreat Facilitation
Expert facilitation of all seven retreat sections, including opening ceremonies, interactive workshops, creative activities, and closing rituals with joy-centered approach. Our facilitation style creates a container for authentic sharing, collaborative problem-solving, and meaningful connection while maintaining focus on your strategic objectives.
Materials & Resources
All necessary materials for art-based activities, visual aids, handouts, and take-home resources including the Commitment-to-Action Document templates. Participants will leave with tangible tools and resources they can use to continue the work initiated during the retreat, ensuring lasting impact beyond the single-day experience.
Post-Retreat Summary & Recommendations
Detailed summary of retreat outcomes, key insights, action items identified, and recommendations for ongoing board development and strategic implementation. This comprehensive report will serve as a roadmap for continued growth and will include specific suggestions for maintaining momentum and accountability in the months following the retreat.
Investment
Comprehensive retreat package designed for maximum board transformation
Transformative Joy Retreat Package
Package Includes
Investment Notes
- Comprehensive package designed for maximum board transformation
- All materials and resources included in investment
- Flexible payment options available
- Investment reflects commitment to liberatory design and trauma-informed practices
Connect With Us
Ready to begin your transformative journey?
Altagracia Montilla
Founder & Lead Facilitator, A.M. Consulting
Specializing in liberatory design practices, trauma-informed facilitation, and joy-centered community building for transformative organizational development.