Planning retreats and customized facilitations offer time to discuss issues and set
goals and priorities in a relaxed, informal atmosphere away from distractions. We
offer planning retreats for cities and counties no matter their size.
PLANNING RETREATS AND CUSTOMIZED FACILITATION
Planning retreats and customized facilitations offer time in an organized and well-planned
setting to discuss issues and set goals and priorities. Our planning retreats are
tailored to governing bodies' needs, regardless of size!
Each retreat or facilitation is unique and is structured to meet commission/council/board
and community needs. Retreats and customized facilitations may include the council/commission,
the manager/administrator, and other key staff members.
Planning retreats and customized facilitations may focus on:
goal-setting (short- and long-term)
problem solving
relationship building
consensus building or collaborative leadership
financial planning
managing change
communications
meeting management
No matter the size of the group, our skilled facilitators plan a customized process
to meet specific needs and desired outcomes and ensure that meetings run smoothly
and stay on target. The group decides where to meet. Most retreats last from one to
two and a half days during the week and on weekends.
During meetings, facilitators play a key role in:
managing proceedings
advancing the group through the agenda in a timely fashion
helping the group work through issues and build consensus
OUR FACILITATORS
Our facilitators are highly trained and skilled professionals.
Interested in booking us for a retreat? Fill out the form and we will be in touch
soon.
“The UGA Institute of Government provided outstanding facilitation for the Mayor and
City Council of Americus at our recent planning retreat in Macon, Georgia. I was most
impressed by the facilitator’s ability to guide the discussion, at times contentious,
without imposing his views on the body or stifling healthy debate. He kept the proceedings
on track and gently nudged us when necessary. We all agreed that it was a successful
and productive retreat due in large part to the professionalism of our facilitator
from the Institute of Government.”
Lee Kinnamon
- Mayor of Americus
“The annual retreat was very fruitful, the facilitator helped structure the discussion
among the mayor and council members so that we could develop more solid priorities
for the city and sharpen our focus for the coming year. It was a great experience.
Dr. Hamilton, our facilitator, led the discussions and helped build better relationships
among the council and staff members. This retreat helped energize the city’s mission
in serving the citizens of Cochran.”
Richard Newbern
- City Manager of Cochran
“Eric Robinson made our process effective and productive. We all left with optimism
and a road map to improve our council. The process of organizing the retreat was also
easy and I would happily participate in another retreat in the future. The UGA Institute
of Government does an amazing job of educating and supporting elected officials across
the state.”
Bianca Motley Broom
- Mayor of the City of College Park
“The retreat was helpful, as usual, always a good atmosphere, and helpful for facilitating
good government.”
Denver Braswell
- Chairman of the Colquitt County Board of Commissioners
“When we decided our council retreat should be focused on strategic planning, we chose
to use the UGA Institute of Government because we knew they had the staff, resources,
and expertise to help us achieve our goal. Our facilitator worked closely with us
to develop the pre-work exercises and surveys needed so we could craft meaningful
discussions with our council during our dedicated time together. She kept us engaged
and focused on the tasks. We were able to accomplish everything on our list and came
away with a good framework that our staff used at their retreat to complete our city’s
first strategic priorities plan.”
Allison Martin
- City Manager of the City of Dahlonega
“The work of public officials and managers is fast-paced and demanding. When an important
issue demands more lengthy conversations by the governing body or staff, a retreat
is the perfect solution. The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government has provided
the communities I work for with the best moderators to handle those complexities that
arise in retreats. I have used them in the communities I manage for over 9 years and
plan to continue the relationship moving forward.”
Keith Dickerson
- City Manager of Clarkesville
“The City of Fitzgerald has participated in two retreats coordinated with the UGA
Institute of Government. Both of the retreats were facilitated by Ms. Suzette Arnold
with the Institute of Government...I have to say that Suzette Arnold was amazing!!!
She kept the group on task and focused. I don’t think we could have achieved all we
did without Suzette.”
Kathy Young
- City Manager of the City of Fitzgerald
“Our annual strategic planning sessions hosted by the UGA Institute of Government
gave us the opportunity to step away from distractions and focus on developing thoughtful,
goal-oriented, achievable plans to shape our county’s path forward. The sessions are
facilitated in a way that provide us with unique opportunities to build relationships
among leadership within our organization while identifying solutions to our current
and future challenges.”
Nicole Love Hendrickson
- Chairwoman of the Gwinnett County Board
“On behalf of Rockdale County Government, we truly appreciate your expertise and guidance
as the UGA Institute of Government led our retreat. We left with some very valuable
takeaways, insight and have already implemented what our instructor, Mara Shaw, shared
with us. … we will definitely utilize these services again.”
Jennifer Rutlege
- Executive Director and County Clerk of Rockdale County
“The entire process was a completely easy process with the UGA Institute of Government
and very well handled by the Institute of Government and very informative. In fact,
the council has shown interest in having the presentation again. The instructor was
very professional and helpful with all following questions.”
Ronald Dodson
- Mayor of Lake City
“The UGA Carl Vinson Institute of Government strategically brings together our leadership
team. Facilitators demonstrate a high level of proficiency in creating an environment
of collaboration, encouraging discussions to obtain synergy and enabling thought-provoking
dialogue. The result leads to the establishment of a visionary plan, coupled with
objectives that are realistic, workable, and essential to our City’s trajectory.”
