Assembling the Parts: Chapter Retreat, Strategic Planning and Chapter SelfAssessment
Chapter Officer Retreat Agenda
This outline contains three possible itineraries for retreats. Hopefully, your Chapter can adopt one of these outlines.
The retreat should take place during the summer, either after final exams, or right before school starts in the fall. This
sets the stage for the rest of the year. The earlier this is done the better for everyone involved.
Notes:
1. Hold the retreat away from campus, rent a hall, use someone's apartment, a parent's house, a campground, etc.
to minimize distractions and maximize commitment to the retreat. All Brothers should participate.
2. Plan the agenda before you go. Don't hesitate to ask for help. Invite a Grand Officer, Regional Officer,
faculty Brother, the Chapter Advisor, or an alumnus to help in the process.
3. Set the working agenda first and adhere to it. Socialize after the work is accomplished. Insert team building
exercises in between
sessions to maintain energy during the retreat.
4. Assign a different Brother to act as moderator of each event.
5. Travel together as much as possible.
Retreat #1: Weekend Retreat 1½ days
Friday, P.M.
7:30 - 8:00 P.M.
8:00 - 8:30 P.M.
8:30 10:30 P.M.
10:30 -????
Saturday, A.M.
8:00 9:00 A.M.
9:00 10:30 A.M.
10:30 10:45 A.M.
10:45 12:00 Noon
12:00 1:00 P.M.
1:00 3:00 P.M.
3:00 5:00 P.M.
5:00 6:00 P.M.
6:00 8:00 P.M.
8:00 8:30 P.M.
8:30 ???? P.M.
Arrive, unpack
Ritual Recap: reinitiate the oldest Brother in attendance using pg. 65-75 of the Ritual
Common Goal Setting using Nominal Group Technique Handout
Answer common question like: What do we want to achieve?
Informal discussions, relaxation, snacks, beverages
Breakfast (cereal, fruits, milk, coffee, juices, etc.)
Begin Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part I
Break
Begin Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part II
Lunch (subs, hot dogs, pizza, etc.)
Finish Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part II Action Plan
Complete Chapter SelfEvaluation Report listing strengths and weaknesses from morning
session
Formal Meeting practice opening and closing meeting use pg. 13-20, reinitiate youngest
Brother with pg.
49-56, and close meeting with pg. 21 of the Ritual
Dinner (spaghetti supper, cookout, etc.)
Clean up and pack
Depart and return to campus
Retreat #2: One-Day Retreat
Saturday, A.M.
7:30 8:00 A.M.
8:00 8:30 A.M.
8:30 10:00 A.M.
10:00 10:30 A.M.
10:30 12:00 Noon
12:00 1:00 P.M.
1:00 3:00 P.M.
3:00 5:00 P.M.
5:00 6:30 P.M.
6:30 8:00 P.M.
8:00 ???? P.M.
Arrive, unpack, Breakfast (juice, coffee, pastry, etc.)
Ritual Recap: reinitiate the oldest Brother in attendance using pg. 6575 of the Ritual
Common Goal Setting using Nominal Group Technique Handout
Answer common question like: What do we want to achieve?
Break
Complete Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part I
Lunch (subs, hot dogs, pizza, etc.)
Complete Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part II Action Plan
Complete Chapter SelfEvaluation Form listing strengths and weaknesses from
morning session
Formal Meeting - practice opening and closing meeting use pg. 13-20, reinitiate
youngest Brother with pg. 49-56, and close meeting with pg. 21-22 of the Ritual
Dinner (spaghetti supper, cookout, etc.)
Clean up, pack, and return to campus
Retreat #3: TwoWeekend or Two Day Retreat
Weekend or Day #1
Saturday, A.M.
8:30 10:00 A.M.
10:00 10:30 A.M.
10:30 12:00 Noon
12:00 1:00 P.M.
1:00 3:00 P.M.
3:00 5:00 P.M.
Common Goal Setting using Nominal Group Technique Handout
Answer common question like: What do we want to achieve?
Break
Complete Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part I
Lunch (subs, hot dogs, pizza, etc.)
Complete Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part II Action Plan
Complete Chapter SelfEvaluation Report listing strengths and weaknesses from morning
session.
Weekend or Day #2
Saturday, A.M.
9:00 10:30 A.M.
10:30 11:00 A.M.
11:00 12:00 Noon
12:00
1:00
2:00
3:00
4:00
1:00 P.M.
2:00 P.M.
3:00 P.M.
4:00 P.M.
5:00 P.M.
Ritual Recap: reinitiate the oldest Brother in attendance using pg. 65-75 of the Ritual
Break
Formal Meeting - practice opening and closing meeting use pg. 13-20, reinitiate
youngest Brother with pg. 49-56, and close meeting with pg. 21 of the Ritual
Lunch (subs, hot dogs, pizza, etc.)
Review Action Plan from Strategic Planning Workshop Handout Part II
Review Pledging and Rush procedures, listing strengths and weaknesses
Review Committee Structure and fill out preference forms, place everyone on committee
Discussion and analysis of Retreat
Strategic Planning Process
Strategic Planning for Chapter Officer Retreat
Strategic Planning Workshop Handout: Part 1
The purpose of strategic planning is to work together to plan the activities of the Chapter in advance. The time to do
this is during the summer. In order to plan, the Chapter must know what it wants to do. Once priorities have been set,
then the Chapter must find a way to accomplish these goals. Strategic planning will help the Chapter do both. By
establishing overall objectives and program resource priorities, the strategic planning process provides the
framework within which the Chapter can develop action plans.
Complete the Nominal Group Technique exercise to begin Part I of the Strategic Planning Handout. In this exercise,
the Chapter (or the Executive Committee) reviews the top goals of the Chapter and discusses the possible ways to
accomplish them. Use the Nominal Group Technique Handout to decide on the Chapter's goals. Go to Nominal
Group Technique Handout now.
After completing the Nominal Group Technique:
1. Review the top goals generated with Nominal Group Technique.
2. Discuss the following questions:
a. Are all the goals consistent with each other? Are there obvious conflicts, such as "promote high
academic achievement" and "maintain files of old labs and term papers"?
b. Is there strong agreement on the top ten ideas? Was there consensus about the top four or five items,
but then a tight voting distribution among the next dozen options?
c. Which ideas are nebulous, benevolent ideas and which are real, tangible, measurable activities? What is
the difference?
3. After exhausting the discussion on question 2, take a break and return later for Part II.
Strategic Planning Workshop Handout: Part II
After discussing all the goals of the Chapter, it becomes necessary to put these goals into motion and the Action Plan
helps you do this. Try to limit the work to no more than four goals.
1. Use one large piece of poster paper, or one blackboard for each goal identified earlier. Write the goal at the top.
2. Divide the media into two sections:
Short Term
Long Term
3. List specific actions under each heading for each goal. For example, if the goal is "increase professional image,"
the following Action Plan could be written:
Short Term
1. Conduct blood pressure screening on campus
2. Wear professional clothing on specific day (Ties, dresses)
3. Etc.
Long Term
1. Establish monthly Pharmacy Newsletter
2. Produce Drug Abuse Play for grade school kids
3. Etc.
4. Make sure the actions will accomplish the goals. Be realistic. If you can't do something, don't put it down.
5. Identify the specific Brothers responsible for specific events. An example would be selecting a blood pressure
committee and chairperson. Assign volunteers to the action at this time. See attached Action Plan example.
6. Set an exact time line for each action. For example, if a committee is set up, set the target date for the first
screening. Decide what day to wear lab coats, etc.
7. Post the Action Plan for each goal in the Fraternity house, wing, or meeting room. Review the Action Plans to
assess progress at each meeting. Type up the Action Plans and distribute to all Brothers.
8. Remember that each long-term action plan should also have a time line. For example, by next year the monthly
newsletter will be published.
9. Fill out the Chapter SelfEvaluation Report.
Action Plan Example
List: Action, Brothers responsible for Action, due date/time line
Goal #1: Improve Professional Image
Task
Team
Target
Blood Pressure Screening on Campus
Joe, Chair
October
Professional Dress Days
Whole Chapter
Wednesday
Etc.
Task
Team
Target
Establish Monthly Pharmacy Newsletter
Mark, Chair
Next Spring
Produce Drug Abuse Play for Grad School
Lisa, Chair
Next Fall
Etc.
Goal #2: Improve Social Activities of Chapter
Task
Team
Target
Movie Night
Ginger, Chair
Once a month
Dinner Club
Ron, Chair
Once a week
Chapter Party
Ginger, Chair
Once a semester
Etc.
Task
Team
Target
Establish annual banquet
Ginger, Chair
Next spring
Chapter’s 75th Anniversary
WAL, Alumni Chapter
Two years from now
Etc.