If you missed it; “you REALLY missed it”, and if you attended—THANK YOU for your participation and affirmation of the work accomplished by the national and chapter leaders, many of whom shared “how” they were promoting the NCBW advocacy agenda “on the ground” where it really counts. 

There was immediate, on-site feedback, that affirmed this year’s program committee had indeed hit a home run!  And there was continued positive feedback in the weeks following the 3-day program.  One member provided the following:

“I want to thank you for the 'best ever' Leadership Conference...Thank you for sharing who the board is and why. The messages that were shared with us was so transparent...   We all conducted ourselves like the business and professionals we are. I returned home last night on fire. It is wonderful when you feel appreciated for the work that we can all do…"          excerpt from letter sent by J.A. Baloney, NCBW Sacramento

The 3-day program of leadership development was content-rich, and the opportunity to be at the only black female-owned five star resort in the country contributed our total sense of “can-do”.  And we can do whatever we aspire to do as a national organization, and each of our chapters can be stellar advocates for the black woman’s agenda in their local community.

Our total program was enriched by the participation of our own NCBW leadership; with each such woman being an expert in her field, and, the participation of our new national program and advocacy partners provided a totally new dimension to this year’s program. 

Retreat participants enjoyed program briefings by senior personnel of the Prudential Insurance Company, AARP (American Association of Retired Persons), Joint Center for Political and Economic Studies, Project Working Moms and the National Campaign to Prevent Teen and Unplanned Pregnancy.

Members were also addressed by current officers and board members, as well as having the privilege to meet and hear from two of our original national founding members on such topics as succession planning and laws governing non-profit management.

Significant time and opportunity were provided for leader networking and presentations on the plan-forward, including plans for the national observance of our 30^th anniversary commencing Ocotober 8, 2010, and concluding at our 15^th biennial conference in Indianapolis October 5-8, 2011.

One of the most exciting components of this year’s leadership retreat was the “roll-out” of our new international advocacy agenda and national mission to Liberia with medical equipment and supplies, clothing, books, sewing machines and the like.  With the support of Firestone International the NCBW will ship a 20-foot container to Liberia on or about October 16, 2010.  National NCBW leaders will visit Liberia the month prior making way for the receipt of the goods one month later.  More on this exciting project can be found on this website under Programs. 

The full 3-day agenda for the 2010 leadership retreat is also posted under Events (Leadership Retreat).

Mark your calendars now!  The 2011 Leadership Retreat will be held on Galveston Island (Texas) at the beautiful gulf-front Galveston Hilton during the period of June 9-12 and right in time for the week-long observance of Juneteenth. 

More details regarding the 2011 retreat will be posted to the website in early 2011.

The photos found on the home page banner were taken during various sessions at the 2010 leadership retreat which boasted our best ever attendance.  You can see the entire photo gallery by clicking here!