Facilitation & Conflict ManagementД¬hoosing a facilitator is one of the most critical decisions in planning a retreat. This also framed the level of discourse we hoped the Council would engage in, which ultimately led to priorities based on broader values-based objectives rather than project-specific outcomes. Sharing a deeply personal reflection was intended to not only be a team and trust building exercise, but also root conversations about City priorities in shared values and vision. What are your personal philosophies? Why did you run for City Council? Why do you do what you do? Weeks prior to retreat day, each Councilor received a retreat packet which included a detailed agenda, a summary of the CityвЂ™s guiding statements (core values, mission, community-led vision), reading materials, you guessed it: homework!ДЄmong other homework assignments, we asked Councilors to come to the retreat prepared to share their вЂњwhyвЂќ with staff and fellow Councilors. Laying this type of groundwork and giving Councilors space to have input into the retreat planning process ultimately helps everyone show up to the retreat feeling open-minded and focused on the task at hand. Focused check-ins prior to the retreat are also a great opportunity for staff to address any concerns or hesitations which a Councilor may have related to the retreat. It allows staff to have a deeper understanding of what each Councilor is passionate about and interested in accomplishing while in office. Identifying hot button issues well in advance of the retreat will tremendously help staff prepare for and support conversations during goal setting sessions. Even the simple exercise of reviewing the agenda together allows Councilors to know exactly what they can expect at the retreat, and prepare accordingly.ДЄbout a month before the retreat is also an ideal time to check in with each Councilor about the issues and challenges that are at top of mind. ItвЂ™s important to communicate with the Council what retreat day will involve вЂ“ the agenda, staff attendance, facilitators, and the goal for the day. Here are three key takeaways which helped make HillsboroвЂ™s retreat day successful: Preparation Mode: T-30 Days They are opportunities for elected officials and city staff to step back from the day-to-day routine and organize around the foundational elements of our service вЂ“ who we serve, what values we uphold, and what direction we are headed.Д¬ity Councilors and staff from the City of Hillsboro, OR recently convened for an annual one-day retreat where the City Council identified several short and long term priorities for staff to focus on.

Retreats are a powerful management tool for local government leaders to refocus on the mission of a city and develop priorities which are in line with a CityвЂ™s core values.

What IвЂ™m Watching: The Dawn Wall (Documentary on Netflix!)ДЄs an organization, how often do you reflect on your core values, mission, and guiding principles? Do you consider how they influence your decision making process on a daily basis?.

What IвЂ™m Reading: We Were Eight Years In Power by Ta-Nehisi Coates.

What IвЂ™m Listening To: Lianne La Havas вЂ“ Is Your Love Big Enough?.

TodayвЂ™s #MorningBuzz brought to you by Neha Subramanyam:

City retreat