Building Connections Beyond Screens: The Power of In-Person Retreats
In today’s era of remote work, where our interactions are often limited to virtual meetings and digital communications, Ktisis Capital prioritizes community and people through our three in-person retreats each year. These gatherings are more than just an opportunity to meet face-to-face; they are essential for building a sense of belonging and mutual support among our team members. Coming together in person allows us to engage deeply with our mission, creating a more connected and collaborative work environment that extends far beyond the confines of telecommuting.
Balancing Work and Fun
While our retreats are focused on key aspects of our business, they also provide us with a much-needed opportunity to have fun together. There’s something special about sharing a laugh or a meal that strengthens our bonds in ways that professional interactions alone can’t. Some of our favorite memories include our game nights, whether we are around a ping pong table or casually playing board games; these moments of shared joy are what truly enhance our team dynamic, allowing us to connect on a personal level and appreciate the unique qualities that each team member brings to the table.
Focusing on Our Core Areas
Each retreat is structured around five critical areas of our business:
Client Management & Development
Organizational Planning
Finance & Operations
Communications & Thought Leadership
People & Culture
These areas, or "buckets," are essential for addressing the diverse needs of our clients and communities. By dedicating focused time to these areas, we ensure that our work remains effective and responsive to the challenges our clients face and to the ever-present changes to the field of philanthropy. However, it’s not just the structured sessions that make these retreats valuable; it’s the informal moments – the chats over coffee, the shared jokes, and the candid conversations – that allow us to get to know each other better, understand each other's needs and quirks, and build a stronger, more cohesive team.
Reflecting on Our Values
A key component of our retreats is the time we dedicate to discussing and reflecting on our organizational values:
Justice & Equity
Integrity & Trust
Wholeness & Complexity
Care & Kindness
Learning & Curiosity
At each gathering, we select two values to examine deeply, assessing how well we implement them and identifying areas for continued improvement. During our recent retreat in Ludington, Michigan, we focused on the values of Wholeness & Complexity and Learning & Curiosity, where we discussed how these values manifest in our work and personal interactions. Through these reflective sessions, we keep our values central to our operations, promoting continuous growth and ensuring that our actions align with our mission.
Learning Together
Another highlight of our retreats is the commitment to group learning, which is often tied to the location we are visiting. These educational experiences deepen our understanding of justice and inclusion, providing valuable insights that we can integrate into our work. For example, we visited the Savannah Civil Rights Museum during our retreat in Savannah, Georgia, where the stories of struggle and resilience profoundly moved us. We spent time touring and learning about the Tulum ruins while in Tulum, Mexico in January 2024, and were fortunate to meet with dynamic leaders in Chicago’s funding space during last fall’s retreat in the Windy City. These experiences enrich our knowledge and reinforce our commitment to justice, equity, and the importance of understanding the cultural and historical contexts in which we operate.
Looking Forward to Seattle
Our next retreat, scheduled for the end of September in Seattle, Washington, promises another opportunity for learning, growth, and team bonding. As we look forward to Seattle, I’m reminded of how these retreats are more than just business meetings. They are a chance to reconnect with our values, deepen our connections, and have a little fun.
In today’s fast-paced, digital world, it’s easy to overlook the importance of in-person connections. But at Ktisis, we know these retreats are vital to our success – not just as a company but as a community. They allow us to build the trust, understanding, and camaraderie necessary for achieving our mission and positively impacting the world. So here’s to our upcoming retreat in Seattle and to the many more moments of laughter, learning, and growth that lie ahead.