Why is it essential to attend the full retreat, from Wednesday through Friday? (The schedule is posted on this website.)
Depending on your time zone, the Wednesday session begins at 12, 1, 2, or 3 p.m. It is important to attend because it sets the stage for the days to follow and begins to create the community of the participants. This session is followed by an informal Reception on the Gatherly platform. For you to get maximum benefit, Wednesday really plugs you in to the Retreat and give you a chance to get to know the other attendees.
On Thursday morning, the program is created by the participants for the Small Circle sessions that will take place Thursday and Friday, with the final small circle session scheduled for after lunch on Friday. If you find that the session that you selected is not a fit for your needs, you may move to another session. The discussions build upon each other throughout the retreat and continuity for everyone is best maintained if everyone stays until the retreat officially on Friday. The final 'closing circle' is always a time that participants are able to bring closure to the experience by sharing what they've learned from each other.
Prometheus Retreats have been scheduled since 2000. What's the ratio of new attendees versus ones that have returned for the experience?
Because of the unique experience that Prometheus creates, often as many as two thirds of the attendees have attended one or more retreats in the past. Prometheans often want to return frequently for the rejuvenation that meaningful conversations with trusted colleagues from a variety of association backgrounds offer.
The Promethean community, which numbers more than 230, welcomes 'newbies' for the freshness of perspectives and diversity of new questions. New Prometheans are offered the opportunity to connect with a Promethean 'buddy' prior to the retreat to get a more personal sense of the experience and what to expect.
Does the program include speakers or exhibitors?
No! This program is designed and run by us, the participants.
What is the Prometheus Consortium?
To ensure the continuity of the Prometheus Retreat, in 2015 we incorporated the event under the name Prometheus Consortium, Inc. and have obtained charitable status under section 501c3 of the Internal Revenue Code. Keeping with the Prometheus philosophy, we designed a streamlined governance structure and crafted modernized bylaws.
Using the same low cost, high value model that the Prometheus Retreat has engaged for years, should there be interest on the part of the association community, we are now positioned to organize other events and activities for senior association professionals that promote effective practices, peer consultation, collaborative problem-solving and the exploration of emerging issues in association management.
Being incorporated also allows us to put in place appropriate financial and administrative policies and practices to help ensure that Prometheus is as stable and successful for the long-term future as it has been in the past. The goal is to preserve the special experience that Prometheans have found so valuable for more than two decades.
