Welcome!

To the Great Group ...

We're eager to see you in {{Cleveland}}. And in a sense, our adventure together has already begun.

Your being in this program is a signal that you've made your future and the future of your organization or cause a high priority — and you're eager to accelerate what could be possible.

You've also taken action. You went to whatever lengths it took to ensure you'd be available, and you secured your place. You made the commitment that you'll be with us.

All sorts of things begin to change when you take action toward your highest ideals.

How to get the most out of the experience?

Please take a few minutes to read all of this page — important information about the schedule and flow of the retreat, as well as such crucial details as what to wear and pack.

If you have any questions at all, simply reply to one of our emails or email xxx@xxx.com.

See you soon,

Jim

A note about the schedule

You've made one of the wisest investments in life.

Why do I say that?

Because you're investing in yourself. This retreat goes beyond education as we usually think of it.

What I mean is that this retreat is more of an experience — you step into a different world, one which we create as a group, by the questions you'll be asked and the conversations we convene.

This is a true retreat. There are two facets to getting the full benefit of our retreating. I'd like you to have them now so that you can prepare to get the most out of this opportunity.
The first is an expectation we hold, the next is an option you may want to consider.

1. We ask all who participate to be full members of the group and give it their complete attention from beginning to end.

Being focused in this way is usually best if it includes ignoring emails and telephone. Yep, why compromise the effect?

2. If you really want to get the most out of this opportunity ... I'll let you in on a little "secret" of mine.

I always arrive on site a day before a program I'm attending begins (yep, I still go to others' programs). I use it for a "day off," or heaven forbid, as a cushion in the event of travel delays.

Of course, most of us would rather be away from home as little as possible, but I've found it a good investment. I'm better rested, especially since there is often a rush to catch the plane.

Likewise, I've always tried to stay for a day afterwards, or at least a few hours, to do three things:

1. To walk around, just to savor the experience and let it sink in. And to rest.
2. To get some exercise.
3. To put into motion some of the things that came up for me during the experience.

So it's clear that I want you to come to the retreat well-rested and ready to get the most out of it.

But guess what? The purpose, the real focus, is on what happens after the retreat -- when you return home -- whether it is more about doing or being for you.

And so what you do now is really intended to lay the roadbed for a great landing after the retreat. Retreat so you can advance with even more clarity and purpose, right?

Jim

P.S. We want to keep you fresh and at your best, so we have frequent breaks. I use the breaks to break, too, to be refreshed for y'all. So if my ears and mind seem less available during breaks, that may be why. If something comes up for you, you can let me know what you're thinking about — maybe leave me a note? — so we can pick up on it whenever the opportunity presents, perhaps over a meal.

__________________________________

P.P.S. If you live in the {{Cleveland}} area ...

Please pay extra attention to letting yourself feel "on retreat" with the rest of us. Pretend you're out of town. (Staying near the venue facilitates this.) Tell your colleagues you're not to be disturbed. Resist the temptation to check in with the office.

Let nothing distract you, short of the kind of true emergency that would get you on the next plane if you were out of town. I want to be sure you get the most out of this investment in your future.

Who's going to be there?

Sometimes we're asked "Who's going to be there?" The conventional answer would be a list of titles and organizations.

And when you get to the retreat, someone might ask you, "So whaddaya do?"

What if we started getting to know each other in a different way?

When you begin to meet folks, see if you can find things to talk about other than "what do you do?" — so there is an opportunity for each of us to be known, first, as people. (If you want to speak to the field(s) you're most interested in, or where you're from, that's cool, of course.)

And then later, our roles or work can come up naturally.

(This has worked wonderfully at dozens of retreats like this, so please do give it a try.)

A little more about the composition of the group

You will find a very interesting mix of people when we meet.
All share an interest in investing themselves even more in the future of society. So all are interested in the notion of contribution -- inspiring that in others, and of course in ourselves.

And so that is the heart of the program: a celebration of the human desire to contribute. And using that to inspire what’s next for each of us.

There’s a special richness in the room because people come with the same intent, but different applications.

Some want to facilitate great philanthropic collaborations. And those who feel that’s not their focus end up seeing how what we’ve learned in such collaborations can create breakthroughs in other situations that call for inspired action.

After all, one of the best ways to understand human behavior, motivation, and inspiration is to look to those who have made significant philanthropic investments and have taken significant roles in civic leadership. (Why is it that people do that when there is no tangible return to them?)

In that phenomenon are breakthrough lessons about human beings that unleash human achievement and even sacrifice.

What will the retreat be like?

Most "training" comes at you in hour after hour of lectures and PowerPoints, interrupted only by the occasional Q&A session or workbook fill-in-the-blank exercise.

This retreat is different.

Instead of being a passive recipient of instruction, you'll be an active player, fully engaged and co-creating the outcome that you want from what you’re getting in the retreat room.

A bit more of what this looks like ...

We set the stage by creating a strength-based atmosphere of curiosity, inquiry, and reflection — a brand-new way of looking at things for everyone. (And you'll see how to create that kind of space around you when you return home.)

In structured conversations, using questions you’ve never heard before, you'll learn by reflecting on your own experiences. This is something people rarely take time to do in any depth, but it yields learning that lasts because it's grounded in your real life.

P.S. This fully engaged learning-and-action process is why we ask you to clear your calendar during the retreat. Give yourself the time and space to get the most from the experience, hit the ground running when you return home, and get lasting results.

SCHEDULE

Tuesday, December 11

Recommended arrival day (if traveling to the area)

Wednesday, December 12

10:45 a.m. through dinner
(You will receive a special email about how to use the morning hours before we convene, so please keep that time clear as well.)

Thursday, December 13

8:30 a.m. through lunch

CONNECTIVITY

Most connections will be with other human beings in our Great Group. There is clear value in truly "retreating" and turning off the electronic distractions.

Still, we want you to be able to connect with others via email toward the end of our time together — if you decide to do that.

So you're welcome to bring your laptop or tablet (for use only outside the retreat room, please) — or not, depending on whether you prefer to stay connected. There is wifi available throughout the venue.

WHAT TO WEAR & BRING

Please dress for your comfort. Business casual is more than fine. You will want to have a removable jacket or sweater for your comfort in case the room is warm — or cool — for you. An umbrella? The weather can be variable. (OK, that's a standard line, wherever we're convening.)

And if you like to laugh, please bring that with you, too.

VENUE

Case Western Reserve University
Weatherhead School of Management
George S. Dively Building -- Room 207
11240 Bellflower Road
Cleveland OH 44106-7166

(Glidden House is on Ford Drive, one-half block from the Dively Building.)

​Map

EXERCISE AND ACTIVITY

We hope you'll maintain — or return to — your activity regimen during the program. We will take frequent (and often brief) breaks and encourage you to take a walk at those times.

CONTACTING US

​If something comes up and you want to reach us, please email xxx@xxx.com.
If you want to be in touch even more quickly, call or text message _____ at (xxx) xxx-xxxx.