The Play for Peace board retreat was held on November 12, in the Sunrise Lake Outdoor Education Center in Bartlett, Illinois. The retreat was attended by the entire Play for Peace board: John Guarrine, Lisa Gelsamino, Kevin Creely, Ron Kovich, Mark Havens, Steve Proudman, Janet McDonnell, and Michael Terrien. In addition, we also had Play for Peace Executive Director Sarah Gough, Play for Peace Global Operations Manager Imroz Shaw and virtually joined by Lauren Rubino, Play for Peace Communications Manager. Mark Havens and John Guarrine planned and facilitated the retreat. The retreat was planned to allow us to get to know each other, learn about Play for Peace's history, and discuss the advancement of Play for Peace programs locally and globally for the future.
We kickstarted the retreat with the Play for Peace Mission, Vision, Goals, and a historical photo display. In the first session, each of us shared our story on how/when we joined Play for Peace, and what kept us moving forward with it. In the second session, we discussed who we are as an organization, what we do, and modifications that need to be made in our current Play for Peace model. Play for Peace staff members shared their concerns, challenges, and achievements with the board and requested an upgraded Play for Peace model for children and youth in a technologically advanced era shortly. The outcome of the retreat:
- A deeper understanding of our collective history and mission
- A strategy to spread Play for Peace in the US, given the racial, religious, and political divisions that are deepening.
- A desire to spread Play for Peace in Europe and other areas where immigration and the refugee crisis are causing increased tension and conflict.
- A plan to include more technology to scale up and innovate our process.
Special thanks to Mark Havens and John Guarrine for organizing the retreat.
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