Nestled among lush green landscapes at Morven, the site of UVA’s growing Sustainability Lab, the Madison House team recently embarked on a journey to chart the course for a productive year ahead. The annual staff retreat, a time-honored tradition, took on special significance this year as it saw the integration of new team members and a deep dive into crucial topics of partnerships, access and equity, financial growth, and organizational culture.

Fresh Perspectives: New Team Members Elevate Our Mission

Stephanie Carter, who joined Madison House as Executive Director in June, has extensive experience in transformational leadership, building community partnerships, and overseeing operations. Stephanie led the team retreat, focusing on organizational alignment and culture.

Madison House also recently welcomed three additional team members, one in development and two in programming:

• Dymond Boone, Assistant Director of Development

• Jo DiGennaro, Post-Graduate Fellow

• John Piller, Education & Youth Program Manager

With backgrounds in education, research, and marketing, they each bring diverse strengths that enrich our team. Their knowledge and skills will help enhance our volunteer experiences, provide data-driven insights, and broaden our reach in the community.

Pictured above, left to right: Stephanie Carter, Dymond Boone, Jo Di Gennaro, John Piller

Plotting Our Course: Navigating Priorities

The retreat's centerpiece was a collaborative session that highlighted a triad of priorities: partnerships, access and equity, and financial growth. These priorities form the pillars that significantly influence the student volunteer experience, the cultivation of student leadership skills, and the expansion of positive community impact.

Team members engaged in a dynamic exercise where they incorporated their unique contributions to each priority on a larger mural. This creative convergence served as a tangible representation of how these strengths intersect to amplify the impact of Madison House’s mission. As ideas melded into a mosaic, breakout groups discussed the opportunities arising from these intersections. The discussions revealed that these priorities are not isolated silos, but rather a web of interconnected pathways that can enhance meaningful student engagement, strong community partnerships, and lasting impact.

Strengthening the Bonds: Teambuilding and Culture

But the retreat wasn't only about strategic discussions and planning. Recognizing the importance of team cohesion and a positive organizational culture, there were opportunities for team members to relax and connect with each other. From coffee chats to group grounding and mindfulness exercises, these activities cast aside titles and roles, breaking down barriers that sometimes hinder communication and collaboration. The upbeat playlist curated by Executive Director Stephanie Carter further energized the group.

In one particularly memorable exercise, each team member was tasked with exploring their Enneagram personality type and its associated traits, motivations, fears, and growth opportunities. Everyone shared their own profile analysis and the aspects with which they agreed or disagreed. The team then explored how the different profile types might best work together, as well as how to recognize potential pitfalls. This small yet powerful act of vulnerability gave insight into each individual and nurtured a sense of interconnectedness among all. 

Page-Turning Insights: The Staff Book Club

As the retreat drew to a close, there was a sense of accomplishment and excitement for the upcoming year. Looking ahead, a new chapter awaits – both metaphorically and literally. A staff book club, with its inaugural read being Dare to Lead by Brené Brown, is poised to extend the retreat's impact.

Dare to Lead is a fitting choice, as it explores the very essence of leadership, vulnerability, and fostering a culture of courage. Madison House team members are eager to embark on this literary journey, driven not only by the desire to refine their own leadership skills but also to unite as a team to make a positive difference in the lives of students, stakeholders, and the community.

In a world often filled with noise and haste, the Madison House staff retreat proved to be a pause, a reflection, and a catalyst for growth. It fortified the team's commitment to the priorities of partnership, access and equity, and financial growth, while also weaving a tapestry of shared values and camaraderie. As the team dispersed, they took with them both practical plans and the special feeling of a shared vision. The Madison House team is prepared to turn the pages of the future with resolve and dedication.