Service Week 2016 At a Glance

Transcription

1 Service Week 2016 At a Glance Program: Omega Service Week Brief description: Omega Service Week provides working retreats for fellow nonprofit organizations working across the spectrum of social, economic, and environmental issues. Dates: May 30-June 1: Strengthening Communities Summit June 1-June 3: Women Serving Women Summit Location: Rhinebeck, NY Self-led working retreat includes: Simple accommodations, meals, meeting space, access to campus amenities, and the opportunity to participate in an Organizational Development Clinic, a one-hour consultation with the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON). Application deadline: Completed applications are due February 1, Notification: Organizations will be notified of their selection by February 22, Other questions: Please refer to our frequently asked questions (FAQ) section below.

2 Background In 2005, Omega established Service Week, an initiative that seeks to support peer nonprofits and strengthen Omega s relationships with change leaders by offering organizations two-day, two-night self-led working retreats on our campus. For 11 years, organizations large and small working in the region, across the country, and around the world have brought their teams of staff and board members to Omega to work and to rest so they can return to their efforts replenished and invigorated. Organizations use their retreat time in a variety of ways from developing strategies, cultivating leadership, and deepening connections to discussing challenges, generating ideas, and identifying solutions. Depending on the work they do, nonprofit organizations choose to apply to one of two sessions during Service Week. The Strengthening Communities Summit (May 30-June 1) brings together organizations that enhance community life and focus on a variety of social, economic, and environmental issues. The Women Serving Women Summit (June 1-3) is sponsored by the Omega Women s Leadership Center (OWLC) and focuses on groups that are working in particular to serve the interests and needs of women. A Service Week retreat at Omega supports organizations to gain clarity, strengthen internal relationships, rejuvenate in beautiful, supportive surroundings, and build connections across organizations. About Omega Founded in 1977, Omega Institute for Holistic Studies is the nation s most trusted source for wellness and personal growth. As a nonprofit organization, Omega offers diverse learning opportunities that inspire an integrated approach to personal and social change. Located on 200-plus acres in the beautiful Hudson Valley, Omega annually welcomes more than 23,000 people to its workshops, conferences, and retreats in Rhinebeck, New York and at exceptional locations around the world. Through innovative educational experiences that awaken the best in the human spirit, Omega provides hope and healing for individuals and society.

3 Service Week Specifics The Organizational Development Clinic During the retreat, NYCON will offer free, one-hour in-person consultations to organizations that would like support in any aspect of nonprofit health from financial to managerial, motivational to administrative. In addition, NYCON will provide an enhanced program for organizations that are accepted into the Multiple Organizations Track. Meeting Room Organizations will have a meeting room and basic supplies available during the daytime hours below. Meeting spaces do not have Wi-Fi and are not available during the evenings. SERVING COMMUNITIES SUMMIT: Tuesday 9-5 p.m. & Wednesday 9-12 p.m. WOMEN SERVING WOMEN SUMMIT: Thursday 9-5 p.m. & Friday 9-11 a.m. Internet & Cell Phones Wi-Fi is available in the Omega Café. Cell phone reception is unreliable; however, pay phones are available and centrally located on campus. Food & Accommodations Our Dining Hall serves three healthy, primarily vegetarian meals daily. Accommodations are mostly double occupancy and dormitory-style singles with shared bathrooms. They are simple, clean, and comfortable. Bathrooms are generally shared. We provide towels, soap, and bedding. You may wish to bring a washcloth. There is no television, phone, refrigerator, or Internet connection in the rooms. Facilities & Activities Included Omega s picturesque rural campus includes Long Pond Lake, tennis courts, a basketball court, walking trails, the Ram Dass Library, and the Sanctuary for meditation. During the day, we offer optional yoga, meditation, dance/movement, and tai chi classes at no cost to participating organizations. There are also optional group activities offered on Tuesday (Strengthening Communities) or Thursday (Women Serving Women) evening and during meal times and breaks. Discounts & Additional Amenities Available Service Week participants also receive a 20% discount at the Omega Café, the Omega Wellness Center, and the Omega Store. The Omega Café is a popular gathering place that sells light meals, snacks, specialty coffee drinks, and dessert. The Omega Wellness Center offers massage, acupuncture, and a number of other services by appointment. In addition to books, the Omega Store sells music, clothes, toiletries, cards, jewelry, and inspirational gifts.

4 FAQ What does the retreat include? The retreat consists of a 2-day, 2-night retreat at Omega, including simple accommodations, meals, meeting space, and access to campus amenities. Each organization designs its own retreat according to its needs. In addition, each organization may request one hour of consulting during the retreat from the New York Council of Nonprofits (NYCON), representatives of which will be available on campus. There is no charge for this one-hour consultation. Who designs our retreat? Each organization designs its own retreat according to its needs with a good balance of work and relaxation. What is the Strengthening Communities Summit? This year, the Strengthening Communities Summit prioritizes applicants that address a range of social, economic, or environmental issues in the Mid-Hudson Valley (Dutchess, Ulster, Orange, Columbia, Putnam, and Greene Counties). It will be held Monday, May 30 through Wednesday, June 1, What is the Women Serving Women Summit? The Women Serving Women Summit is a program of the Omega Women s Leadership Center (OWLC) and prioritizes organizations working to positively impact the lives of women. It will be held Wednesday, June 1 through Friday, June 3, Who is eligible to apply to Service Week? Any nonprofit organization may apply. How do I submit my application? Complete our online application. What are your selection criteria? In selecting organizations, we look for those that will make the best use of and benefit most from this opportunity. These tend to be organizations that have identified goals for themselves such as strategic planning, cultivating leadership, and deepening staff commitment and are prepared to work on them in a retreat setting. We welcome organizations that are aligned with Omega and our initiatives and that can demonstrate commitment to collaboration.

5 Can someone provide us with assistance in completing our application? For assistance on how to best complete your application, you are welcome to set up a free, half-hour consultation with NYCON by ing Doug Sauer, NYCON s chief executive officer at dsauer@nycon.org. If we want to have a retreat with another organization, how do we complete our application? Your organization can apply to come on its own, or you can come in partnership with another organization with which you are working closely. If you are coming in partnership, each partner organization completes its own application and indicates the partner organizations it will be working with. What is the deadline to apply? The deadline for receipt of your completed application is February 1, When will we find out if we are accepted? Participating organizations will be notified of acceptance by February 22, If we accept an offer to attend the retreat, what is our commitment? Agree to respond promptly to three requests for written evaluative feedback via surveys on how effective the retreat was toward reaching your stated goals. These surveys will be sent after the retreat and twice in the following year at six and 12-month intervals. Stories of ongoing impact will be requested, and are always welcome! Agree to participate in Omega's publicity and funding efforts, which may include providing photos, quotes, and mission descriptions; adapting and disseminating press releases, and/or social media posts; and talking with interested parties. Join the orientation conference call. Participate in your entire session, beginning at 7 p.m. the day of arrival and ending after lunch on the day of departure. Attend the opening and closing plenary sessions. Be prepared to introduce your organization to other participants. What is the purpose of the orientation conference call? To help you prepare for the retreat and enhance your outcomes, Omega hosts an orientation conference call with all participating organizations several weeks before the retreat. NYCON participates on the call as well. The purpose of the call is to ensure that each organization is informed and prepared to make the most of this unique opportunity, has defined its retreat goals, and can begin to connect with other selected organizations.

6 What about travel costs? Selected organizations are responsible for their own transportation costs and arrangements. How is housing arranged? Each person taking part in your organization s retreat must individually call the Omega Registration department to register for the retreat and receive her or his housing assignment. Rooms are assigned on a first-come, first-served basis. When should we plan to arrive and leave? Strengthening Communities Summit: o Arrive Monday afternoon, Memorial Day, May 30, between 4 and 6 p.m. o Depart Wednesday, June 1, after lunch. Women Serving Women Summit: o Arrive Wednesday afternoon, June 1, between 4 and 6 p.m. o Depart Friday, June 3, after lunch. What if I still have questions? If your question is not addressed in our FAQ, please contact: Marta Szabo, Strengthening Communities Summit Coordinator, martas@eomega.org, , ext. 403 Lys Swan, Women Serving Women Summit Coordinator, lyss@eomega.org, , ext. 414.