Presented by Alex Hernandez
What is it?
The annual staff retreat is an interactive, fun packed educational experience provided to approximately 50 EPCC employees at an offsite location
Which locations have we visited in the last few years?
2012 – San Francisco, CA 2011 – Seattle, WA 2010 – Orlando, FL San Antonio, TX San Diego, CA Las Vegas, NV Austin, TX
How is the location selected?
By a consensus of the Facilitation Team
What are some of the educational programs that have been presented?
Mixing Four Generations in the Workplace
Our Iceberg is Melting
“Emotional Intelligence”
“Team Player Styles” Challenger Contributor Communicator Collaborator
“The Fish Philosophy”
“Insight Personality Assessment”
“Work-Teams and the Wizard of Oz”
Who is eligible to attend?
Any EPCC full time classified or professional staff employee
How are employees selected?
By a lottery An employee who has never been to a retreat, has first priority. Attended one retreat, second priority Attended two retreats, third priority. Four, etc., etc……… By a lottery An employee who has never been to a retreat, has first priority. Attended one retreat, second priority Attended two retreats, third priority. Four, etc., etc………
Who plans, organizes, and facilitates the event?
Eight EPCC employees, selected as Facilitators, guided and trained by the Human Resources Development Department
What is the duration of the retreat?
Three days, normally Thursday, Friday, and Saturday
Can you give us an overview of what normally happens in those three days?
Wednesday: Participant orientation Thursday: Fly to destination, hotel check-in, free time until about 6 p.m., dinner, guest speaker, an ice breaker game. Friday: Breakfast, training and break out sessions until about 12 p.m., lunch, training and breakout sessions until about 2 p.m. Free time and on your own to visit the city. Saturday: Breakfast, break out sessions, auction, program closure, and fly back to El Paso.
When do we leave?
Sometime in March or April
Is there a cost for the employee?
The college pays for the training and materials, hotel, meals, and one half of the airfare. Employees pay for one half of the airfare and transportation to and from the airport (approx $ per person) depending on location.
What is the “auction” all about?
Facilitators give out “play money” to participants for answering questions and participating. Participants can use this “play money” to bid on some very nice gifts that are donated by different companies. Some of these gifts have a value of over $200 dollars
How do we get such nice gifts?
By hard work. The Facilitation Team members go out and knock on doors asking for donations.
How many gifts are auctioned?
Over 200 items are given out
Is it true that we have an unbelievable amount of fun?
Absolutely! Yes! Si!
Why?
I can’t tell you because what happens in (Where ever) stays in (Where ever). You need to go in order to find out. Or ask any former participant, they might tell you.