Retreats

Time is precious when a group gets together to reflect and move forward on their journey. Whether it’s strategic planning, teambuilding or a complex issue, I bring connection, fun and clear focus to retreats.
“You do well with time management, rolling with what’s needed, pushing things along when appropriate, and shifting the agenda as time dictates.”
-Intentional community founder

Sparkle and Glue

RAPID disability justice nonprofit asked me to bring connection, depth and a continuity of experience for the participants in their 3-day retreat.

I planned activities to fill the in-between times, create cohesion, support a diversity of involvement styles, lead a goal setting exercise and bring fun and joy!

See the photos and captions for some of the “sparkle and glue” I created.

Jenny leaning into a group of 6 people (some in wheelchairs) sitting in a circle at a meeting
I led the group through a reflective personal goal-setting activity, which culminated in a playful game to integrate and share their ideas.
Photo of a table with coloring books, reading books, candles, paper and markers
A “safe, silly, sweet, soft, sparkly space” where participants could have quiet time while still being connected to the group. Great for introverts, folks working with neurodivergence and anyone needing a break but not wanting to feel isolated.
Image of the front page of the hand-drawn coloring book for the retreat
A hand-drawn coloring book that matched the weekend agenda and added reflective questions to the program.
Image from a few pages of the hand-drawn coloring book at the retreat
A few sample pages. Each meal had a spot for notes!
Image from a few pages of the hand-drawn coloring book at the retreat
A few other sample pages, including the wellness goal setting activity I led.
Photo of two people, one in wheelchair and one with a cane, having a small group discussion at the retreat
After doing personal reflection in their retreat workbook, participants shared their initial ideas with each other.
Photo of Jenny holding hand-painted board that says RAPID RETREAT with a heart around it
Every participant signed and painted their own piece of this collective mural, now hanging in the RAPID office.
Photo of retreat participant painting on the mural
Every participant signed and painted their own piece of this collective mural, now hanging in the RAPID office.
Photo of the mural after all retreat participants colored and painted on it
Every participant signed and painted their own piece of this collective mural, now hanging in the RAPID office.

Connection and Strategy

A local company asked me to facilitate their first in-person, post-pandemic day-long meetings. In these very dynamic days we started with gentle human reconnection and games, evolved to grapple with the company’s big strategic questions, explored leadership and participation styles, and advanced the group’s DEI work. There was laughter, deep conversation, joy and strategic movement forward. People had a great time!

Group of about 20 people playing a game in a field, some of them jumping in the air
Always good to break the ice with laughter and play!
Four people at a picnic table drawing on a large sheet of paper
Small groups doodled and drew their discussion about the company direction.
About 20 people standing around picnic tables filled with large sheets of paper, discussing the topic
After adding sticky notes to large sheets about their equity strategy, the group reflected together.
Five people smiling, showing their hand-made drawings at the event
In this reflective drawing activity, participants used symbols to represent their pandemic experiences.
Photo of four groups of about 5-6 people each sitting in circles around picnic tables having discussions
Small groups explored strategies.
Photo of a drawing that says " We are HERE TOGETHER! If at any time today you need a break from social activity you are welcome to go for a walk (please tell someone) or hang out in the quiet table and explore the books and art supplies there."
I always create opportunities for introverts and others to take breaks but stay connected.
Photo of a group of about 60 people in a room walking around and exchanging pieces of paper in the game we were playing.
This lively activity engaged this cohousing community to come up with new ideas, refine them, prioritize them and identify an implementation team — all in one fun hour!
Close up of a poster with "My experience of being marginalized" written in the center and many colorful notes (hard to read in the photo) of people's responses during the community discussion.
Through a compassionate approach and visual supports, I helped them have a cathartic and connective conversation about the experience of being marginalized.
Photo of a community member smiling and showing a notebook with a list of ideas in it - the community "holding pond."
A few months after a 3-day visioning retreat for a different living community, this member proudly showed me a useful meeting technology that the group adopted during our time together.

Intentional Communities

I’ve lived in intentional communities for 20+ years, visited many, and wrote my college thesis about them. I am well versed the needs of many communities and happy to help groups live vibrantly together!

Retreat days with communities can take many directions: strategic visioning, relationship building, exploration of interpersonal tension or tricky dynamics, learning about decision-making, or simply bringing new life into shared work!