"Making changes in many nonprofits is like parallel parking the QE2. You function like a cross between a speed board and the Little Engine That Could." —— Carol Weisman

The word "retreat" conjures up a vision of a contemplative zone where board members can escape the rat race to strategize in an uninterrupted, neutral environment. However, structuring a retreat involves careful attention to detail as Carol Weisman demonstrates in her collection of essays, Secrets of Successful Retreats: The Best From The Non-Profit Pros. In the introduction, consultant Steve Epner poses preliminary considerations for a board retreat. From location and cost to matters of space, room setup, timing, seating assignments, meals and props, he shows how the decisions made regarding these matters will affect the outcome of the gathering. The other authors follow suit with their special-focus articles. Missteps in one area can cause major disruptions that are capable of sabotaging well-intentioned productivity, so the essayists agree that it is best to be well prepared for all eventualities.

The editor of the manual, Carol Weisman, is a consultant who specializes in voluntarism, fundraising and governance. She also has experience as a speaker and trainer. Because of her service as member and chair on numerous boards, her writing is well informed. Build a Better Board in 30 Days: A Practical Guide for Busy Trustees is another title she has authored.

In this publication, Weisman has put together a highly readable collection of essays, chock full of checklists, organizational charts and worksheets for facilitating and carrying out a successful retreat. Although a number of articles have been written on the topic, there is not much competition among books that comprehensively cover the ins-and-outs of a successful board retreat. The twelve authors whose articles are featured in the volume are highly credentialed with Ph.D., M.B.A., J.D., and M.S.W. degrees among them, plus a variety of experience in the area of board planning and development. Biographies of each of the authors are inserted at the end of each selection. One essay is devoted to menus and food planning for retreats, and even includes a couple of dessert recipes.

Despite the fact that the book is not indexed (which would make it more accessible), it is not a lengthy publication and it feels very user-friendly. With ice-breakers to encourage team solidarity, ideas for brainstorming sessions, surveys and exercises for group and self-assessment, and cartoons for levity, Secrets of Successful Retreats provides a thorough look at this subject. Whether novices or veterans, earnest board members will find new ideas and creative ways to implement them in this readable guide.

For citations to additional materials on this topic, refer to Literature of the Nonprofit Sector Online, using the subject headings "Nonprofit organizations-administration" or "Nonprofit organizations-planning."