Like many organizations, Kappa Alpha Theta’s leadership learned from the pandemic that we could operate with a primarily remote staff. This shift has allowed us to tap into talent from across the country, ultimately making us a stronger team. We currently have staff members represented in 21 states, from Washington to Florida, Massachusetts to New Mexico, and of course, Indiana!
While the remote model has worked well for us, we recognize the importance of in-person experiences. Theta’s leadership team prioritizes at least one opportunity annually to gather. For many, it’s often our first time seeing each other in person! We hear comments like, “You are so tall!” “I love your style!” and “It feels so good to hug you!”
This year’s staff retreat was hosted in Noblesville, IN, just a 15-minute drive from Theta headquarters. Our time together included a half-day educational program (one of Theta’s workplace values is learning/growth), departmental time in the afternoon, and a social activity in the evening.
The educational program focused on effectively and skillfully giving and receiving feedback. This session was facilitated by a fantastic local coach, Lacee Jacobs, and sponsored by a generous grant from Theta Foundation. Theta’s staff is very engaged and provides feedback to one another often, so this program was a perfect fit. Effective feedback discussions require a special skillset. Undoubtedly, Theta’s staff strives to be their best selves at work, and learning how to skillfully give and receive feedback with an open heart and mind was immensely beneficial.
An added benefit of these retreats is the opportunity to have meaningful conversations with co-workers in small groups, which helps us learn how others think and what motivates them. We learned how our peers tackle problems and look for opportunities. Observing staff members in a large group setting offered one another an additional layer of understanding and insight into the individuals who work so hard to keep Theta operating at its best. Skills were learned and connections were formed as we learned about each other’s work styles and personalities in ways that are difficult to discern virtually.
The afternoon concluded with a delicious lunch; we are sending the biggest thank-you to The National Bank of Indianapolis for sponsoring this part of our retreat! After lunch, we separated to focus on what was most important in our respective areas of work. For some, this meant department meetings or mini retreats; for others, it was business as usual, ensuring that our daily tasks were completed.
In the evening, we enjoyed a social outing filled with laughter, food, and fun! Many of us participated in this event with a sense of nostalgia, remembering the days when everyone worked in Indianapolis and would gather after work for drinks or dinner. We miss those times. But would we recommend going back to only hiring those who can work in Indiana? Not a chance!