GBT board members (Kathy Roome, Keith Swensen, Todd Scheuermann, and Paloma Spina), executive director Laurie LaFond, and office manager Bernadette Valentino-Morrison gathered for the annual board retreat on September 18 and 19, 2021 in Cambridge, NY. This retreat was a special treat for everyone involved, providing the board and staff with an opportunity to work on the strategic plan for the next five years under the guidance of consultant David Allen.
David Allen, partner of the Conservation Consulting Group, flew in to lead the retreat in-person. During the weekend, he facilitated several exercises to encourage board members to think critically about the organization’s main goals and strategies, metrics, and first implementation steps necessary to achieve those goals. He asked thought-provoking questions that encouraged participants to think outside of the box and brainstorm new ideas.
The board and staff were enormously motivated by the results from this retreat and are excited to work on the next steps.
“The GBT Board spent two days, inspired by beautiful fall weather and PowerPoint presentations (thankfully) filled with photos of grassland birds, envisioning how GBT will help ensure the survival of birds who need our New York grasslands to survive. From planning a new nature trail at our viewing area, to identifying key parcels of land to protect, imagining fun events for our supporters, and ensuring our own sustainability, we kept busy and excited about GBT’s future,” stated board member and secretary Kathy Roome.
The group is still working to finalize the strategic plan, but it will be made available to the public once it is ready. Stay tuned for updates.
David Allen is an environmental consultant with more than 30 years of experience in conservation fundraising and development. He worked for the Nature Conservancy for 13 years and for the Sand County Foundation in Madison, Wisconsin for 9 years. If you are interested in learning more about David Allen, check out the Conservation Consulting Group webpage.
GBT retreat photo from left to right: Kathy Roome, Laurie LaFond, Paloma Spina, Keith Swensen. Not pictured: Todd Scheuermann, David Allen, Bernadette Valentino-Morrison. Photo credit: Hugh Roome.