The Residence Life Team took a two day retreat off campus to study our strengths and brainstorm new ideas for Strengths Finder Integration in to Residence Life.

Attendees: 2 Coordinators of Residence Education, 3 Assistant Coordinators of Residence Education, 2 Senior Resident Chaplains, and Director of Housing

Guests: Nancy Gaines, Strengths Finder Coordinator

Objectives:
1) Reexamine person strengths and develop and understanding of our strengths and how they influence who we are and how we work.
2) Study and analyze the Strengths dynamics of our team.
3) Brainstorm Residence Life Strengths Integration and Strengths Programming ideas.

Itinerary:

1. DAY 1:
   • The retreat began with a game of "Cranium" to emphasize the different strengths in our team.
   • Each participant was then given a deck of Strengths Finder cards and given 1 hour on their own to study and self analyze their strengths.
   • The participants then reconvened and each person was given opportunity to share about their strengths, what they do best, and what they need for motivation and encouragement. (2 Hours)
   • The participants then discussed team dynamics around the different strengths that different people had.
   • This session ended with a brainstorming session around Strengths Finder Integration and Programming.
   • The day ended with fun and games.
2. DAY 2:
   • Nancy Gaines (Strengths Finder Coordinator) joined us for more Strengths Finder Integration and program brainstorming.

Ideas from Brainstorming Sessions:
Several ideas were generated during these sessions which are documented here in no particular order:

1. The team committed that each Staff member would hold a similar retreat with their respective Resident Chaplain staff to take time to study and self-analyze their strengths. The retreats/sessions were held during the months of February.
2. Creating a weekend event for Juniors and Seniors who had not yet taken the Strengths Finder. This idea was integrated in the 2002 Strengths Finder Dinner.
3. Develop a Strengths Finder Interview that the 2002-2003 Resident Chaplains can complete with the students on their floor. It turned out that Gallop had already developed this form, and we will use theirs in the 2002-2003 school year.
4. Give each Resident Chaplain a deck of the Strengths Finder cards and train them on their use. This was done as part of the Retreats that each Residence Life Staff member did during their respective retreats.
5. Send a letter to incoming freshman students and parents (2002-2003) after they have taken the Strengths Finder offering suggestions and advice for using their strengths while at College.
6. Make it a priority to use Strengths Finder Concepts when informally counseling students.