Retreat Reflections: Deepening Roots, Imagining What’s Next
- Roots & Rivers Team
- May 28
- 2 min read
Each spring, we press pause on the day-to-day and come together in person to reflect, connect, and realign. This year our core team came together in Vancouver for three days of meaningful conversations, laughter, planning, and some really good food. A potluck with our ecosystem helped us kick off the retreat with laughs and great conversation.
As a mostly remote team, the time we get to spend together in person is powerful. There’s something about sharing space that makes room for the kinds of conversations that don’t always fit into a Zoom window.
Starting with how we work best
We kicked things off by getting curious about what helps each of us do our best work. Through a few short but powerful exercises, we explored moments when we’ve felt energized, effective, and engaged.
We looked at the conditions that supported those moments including:
Space to think
Clear roles and expectations
Trusting collaboration
Purposeful work
This contributes our evolving sense of how best to support one another by sharing what we each need to feel grounded and "in flow."
We also took time to name and celebrate the strengths we see in each other. These kinds of practices help us stay connected to the relational heart of our work.
Revisiting our Theory of Change
One of the bigger pieces we explored was our Theory of Change. Together, we asked:
Who are we as a business?
What change are we here to help create?
How clearly are we communicating our value and impact?
This exploratory process helped us get on the same page about what matters most, and how that shows up in what we offer, how we work, and who we partner with. This work will be foundational as we look ahead to developing our next strategic plan.
Looking at where we’re growing
Growth was another big theme. What kind of growth? At what pace? How do we grow in a way that stays true to who we are? This led us into conversations about:
Team capacity and learning edges
What kind of organizational structure will support us to grow
Our compensation philosophy
Our digital systems
We asked some big questions about what kind of organization we want to be as we evolve and how each of us wants to grow alongside these changes.
A few next steps
We left with some tangible next steps including updates to internal tools, ideas for refining our compensation model, and continued Theory of Change development
More than anything, we came away with renewed clarity and connection. There’s something powerful about pressing pause together, especially in person. It makes space for deeper conversations, spontaneous ideas, and the joy of simply being together.
Why retreats matter to us
These retreats, and all the chances we get to gather in person, matter deeply to our remote team. They help us stay aligned, grounded, and connected. We’re carrying that retreat energy with us into the months ahead!
