What if you dedicated one day just to yourself and your actual workplace goals and challenges?

Would that seem self-indulgent or like the break you need to recharge and get clear on your next steps?

Twenty Hats retreats are special get-away-from-it-all events, where volunteer managers and development directors build skills in areas rarely covered by standard nonprofit trainings.

Your special niche in the nonprofit world comes with special challenges. You lead in three directions at once: supervising downwards and influencing upward, and bringing your peers on board laterally. Your success depends on your ability to stay motivated and persuade others with your vision.

In morning session, you'll learn two essential skills for achieving your goals:

• Self-coaching to get you moving again when you feel stuck, and -

• Negotiation techniques for achieving more buy-in

In the afternoon, you'll have time set aside just for you:

You will have an opportunity to brainstorm around your biggest current challenge, with guidance, ideas, and support from your colleagues. Plan to leave the retreat with a personalized set of next steps to help you reach your goals.

Here's the retreat timeline:

AM

10:00, Introductions and meditation

10:30, Getting unstuck: how to self-coach yourself out of discouraging situations

11:15, Reach your goals faster: an effective negotiation technque for getting beyond "no"

PM

12:15, Lunch break

12:55, Masterminding: this is where you brainstorm around a particular workplace challenge and receive feedback and support from the group

2:40, Mapping out next steps

3:00, Wrap Up

Nonprofit EDs and CEOs take retreats like this. Now it's your turn. Deadline to register is Friday, October 13.

Spaces are limited. Claim your spot today!*

*Your registration fee includes all handouts and a next steps action plan. Lunch is separate, with restaurant options in the area (or bring your own).

What People Are Saying About Twenty Hats Retreats

This retreat was fantastic! The most valuable piece I found was getting sound advice from like-minded individuals who understand your struggle and care about the outcome. Many volunteer managers are left alone in their respective organizations to deal with many issues from all departments and it can be overwhelming. It's nice to know there are those out there who can understand this feeling and come up with feasible solutions and not having to explain some of the barriers associated with these solutions.

— Kelly McDermott, Carpenter's Shelter

Attending the TwentyHats volunteer managers retreat was a great opportunity for me. I was able to meet with other like-minded volunteer managers and discuss our day to day dealings when it comes to leading our volunteers. Most beneficial to me was learning about limiting beliefs we often tell ourselves and how to reframe them in a more positive light. I also very much enjoyed the mind-mapping activities and learning about what struggles other volunteer leaders have in their organizations and being able to offer suggestions and best practices, while also being able to receive suggestions from my peers.

— Jessica Towers, DC Central Kitchen

The retreat was a wonderful experience. Elisa did a great job of helping each participant with the challenges they face in the workplace. Everyone had an opportunity to evaluate where they are now in their personal and career goals and set goals for where they would like to be. The session on the types of power people have was truly eye opening and allowed me to see new ways to approach difficult situations. I left the retreat feeling energized and confident in my ability to create positive change within the workplace.

— Nicole Dillon, New Hope Housing

What a great retreat! It was great getting to meet other volunteer professionals and be part of an environment that is welcoming to the sharing of ideas. I was able to leave at the end of the retreat with tangible next steps, including a calendar of volunteer recognition that we had completely overlooked at our agency. I also have a clearer understanding of what steps I need to take now in order to get to where I want to be in my career.

— Navara Cannon, Northern Virginia Family Service

Entering the retreat I had some experience as a volunteer manager but I was relatively new to the field so I was unsure of what to expect. After a few hours and some enlightening conversations, I walked away with new approaches to tackle my work and excited about moving forward.

— Deryck Greene, American Red Cross National Capital Region

This retreat was really enlightening! Having found some processes that work at our agency, I’ve pretty much been on auto drive. After some eye opening worksheets and conversations, I now know the tweaking that needs to be done. And it isn’t going to be “scary” getting out of my comfort zone. Looking forward to future retreats with my peers!

— Nikki Clifford, Food for Others

Are you a CVA? This training may be used to meet the requirements for renewing the Certified in Volunteer Administration (CVA) credential. One Professional Development Unit (PDU) is awarded for each 50-60 minute session or contact hour in topics related to volunteer resources management.