Board of Director's Retreat

On Friday March 18th we held our Board of Directors Retreat. The last retreat was held about 2 years ago. With new additions to our board and staff, it was time to bring the group together to make sure we were all still on track with our strategic plan. It was a full day of discussions and activities surrounding the five year strategic plan developed by the board and staff in early 2003. It was a wonderful opportunity for the board to interface with about 15 members of the St Mary's staff. It was also an opportunity to step back and report on the progress in all areas towards achieving the original goals set in the plan. More importantly, it was an opportunity to identify and discuss modifications which needed to be made in the plan based on changes in the community we serve, the food and financial donor environment, technology advancements and correct unanticipated disconnects between functional areas in the original plan.

During lunch we had three of our agency partners address the group. They all partnered with us in different ways to serve the needs of the community in which the reside. One agency represented the homeless, another agency addressed the needs of elementary school children and their families and finally one worked with helping low income families stretch their food dollar. You could not help but be touched by the stories they told about their mission and how the food St Mary's supplies is put into the hands of those in need in the community. The session really helped all of us reconnect with "why we do what we do".

The passion for our cause and the commitment to the role St Mary's Food Bank fulfills was evident throughout the day. While it was a very long day.....it reaffirmed in my mind that our mission and the plans we have in place to address the needs of our community are right on track.