OAR All Team Retreat: Reimagining Our Work: Teamwork and Wellness

On Monday, August 17, the entire Office of Admissions & Recruitment professional staff came together for our annual retreat. It was offered in a virtual format for the first time. This year’s programming was centered around the theme: Reimagining Our Work: Teamwork and Wellness. Our goals were building community, engaging in shared learning that contributes positively to the office environment and the work we do, reflecting on the last year, and kicking off the new year. Our morning included a community-building activity featuring camp counselor scenarios and breakout groups led by Joshua Rybaski, Teresa Rutecki, and Vianey Hernández Ramirez, and our keynote, Emotional Quotient (EQ) Skills and Strategies: Leading with Empathy from Tamie Klumpyan from Office of Human Resources Learning and Talent Development. Tamie’s talk addressed the topic of how empathy, when used in our daily interactions, is the thread that fuels connection, trust, and inclusion. She discussed the difference between empathy and sympathy, the importance of self-empathy, and led us through a deep listening exercise. Over lunch, team members had the option to participate in an optional picture share led by Vianey Hernández Ramirez. Team members shared photos from the summer of their family, pet, a special event, hobby, etc. It was a fun time for all to learn more about each other. The afternoon offered remarks from the Director, André Phillips, and two breakout sessions, including strategic planning with the Office of Strategic Consulting, which the Director, Associate Directors, and Assistant Directors participated in, and Community Wellness sessions led by members of the Community Wellness Committee, which the rest of the team engaged with. The Community Wellness sessions kicked off with an introduction to the Wellness Wheel, led by Dana Gilbertson, meditation, led by Anna Parrell, an activity titled “Where I’m From,” led by Simona Simkins, and a scavenger hunt, led by Rachel Tatge. Nancy Hoffman and Teresa Rutecki, who co-led this year’s retreat, extend special thanks to those who collaborated to make the event possible, from being thought partners, to developing and leading sessions, to providing logistical and technological support: André Phillips, Anna Parrell, Bobbie Jean Huerth, Brad Richardson, Cameron Olson, Dana Gilbertson, Heidi Updegrove, Jane Duffstein, Joshua Rybaski, Mallory Oller, Micki Nordeen, Nathan Trick, Renee Koerner, Rachel Tatge, Simona Simkins, Vianey Hernández Ramirez, and the Community Wellness Committee.