Co-Creating Our Next Chapter: Inspiration's Edge Holds Its First Annual Board Retreat

Since Inspiration's Edge was founded, we've believed that building a strong organization requires thoughtful leadership, intentional planning, and a commitment to continually learning and growing together.

One goal we've carried with us from the very beginning was the idea of holding an annual Board Leadership & Strategic Planning Retreat; a dedicated time for our board to step away from the day-to-day work of the organization, reflect on where we've been, and intentionally chart the course ahead.

This year, that vision finally became a reality.

As Inspiration's Edge begins it's third fiscal year, our Board of Directors gathered for our first annual Board Leadership & Strategic Planning Retreat. This a milestone we're excited to continue each July as an opportunity to celebrate our progress, align our goals, and prepare for the year ahead.

Looking Inward Before Looking Ahead

Rather than beginning with budgets, calendars, or committee reports, we started somewhere more personal.

Our morning was dedicated to leadership development and self-reflection. Board members explored the experiences, strengths, passions, and values that shape how each of us leads. We reflected on what inspires us, the unique perspectives, strengths, and skills we each bring to the organization, and the courage it takes to step into leadership even when we don't have every answer or know exactly what the path ahead will look like.

Honoring Our Story

The afternoon shifted from personal reflection to organizational vision.

Together, we revisited Inspiration's Edge's journey from our earliest organizational and theatrical production milestones to the partnerships, volunteers, and moments that have shaped our organization. Looking back reminded us how much we've accomplished in a relatively short time and how every success has been primarily built through collaboration and community.

We also explored what it truly means to live out our organizational values; not simply by listing them, but by discussing how they influence the way we make decisions, work together, and serve our community.

Those conversations and activities challenged us to ask not only what we want to accomplish, but how we want to accomplish it.

Dreaming About What's Next

With a stronger understanding of who we are and where we've been, we turned our attention to the future.

Board members imagined what Inspiration's Edge could look like five years from now, identified strategic priorities for the years ahead, explored new partnerships and opportunities, and discussed the leadership needed to help turn those ideas into reality.

The result wasn't just a list of goals. It was a shared vision created through conversation, collaboration, and a collective commitment to the future of our organization.

A New Tradition

To close the retreat, each board member selected a single word that captured how they felt about the future of Inspiration's Edge and wrote a personal letter to their future self, filled with hopes, commitments, and encouragement to be opened at next year's retreat.

We ended the day with Brené Brown's reflections on Theodore Roosevelt's famous Man in the Arena speech, which is a reminder that leadership isn't about always having the right answers or never making mistakes. It's about having the courage to show up, take thoughtful risks, learn, grow, and continue moving forward together.

Planning with Purpose

Our first annual board retreat wasn't just about planning the year ahead; it was about ensuring that our planning reflected who we are and who we want to be.

Grounded in our values, we reflected on our progress, welcomed diverse perspectives, and worked together to identify the strategic priorities that will guide Inspiration's Edge through the coming fiscal year.

Most importantly, every conversation came back to the same purpose: how we can best serve our community through the performing arts.

As we begin this new fiscal year, we're excited to put those plans into action while continuing to build a community theatre organization that leads with purpose, grows through collaboration and co-creativity, and remains committed to the community that inspires everything we do.

Here's to the next chapter!

Bonus photo: Anyone who has ever been to IE Headquarters has met Liyan and Jericho McNeltier's pup, Harvery Girl. She was also an unofficial attendee of our first annual board retreat and was an exceptionally co-creative participant.