This is it! After WAY too long (thanks, covid), we are finally holding an in-person FO Staff Retreat! Thanks to a generous donation from Br. Lou Camera, this FO Staff Retreat will once again be held at the Worldmark Reunion resort, just outside of Orlando, FL. Based on the feedback in the poll, the dates that work best for this event will be 5/12-15 (arriving sometime on Thursday, departing sometime on Sunday - giving us all day on Friday and Saturday for Retreat events).
SAFETY - We want to make this event safe for everyone. All attendees MUST be fully-vaccinated against covid-19 (2 doses + booster). Those exhibiting symptoms before traveling should not attend the event. 48-72 hours before arriving in FL, all attendees should limit risk (avoid going out to restaurants/bars) and have a negative PCR test (unless you had covid within 90 days prior - in which case, you may still test positive. A negative rapid test would suffice in this case). While at Retreat, we will be following CDC guidelines. We may require daily on-site rapid-testing based on the positivity rate at the time of the test (these would be provided free of charge to attendees). All attendees will be expected to abide by safety precautions deemed reasonable and necessary - which may include masking when appropriate and minimizing off-site travel.
ACCOMMODATIONS - we will be staying at the Worldmark Reunion! For those who may remember, this was the resort that we stayed at for our FO Staff Retreat in May 2019. This is a fabulous resort property complete with lazy river, 11 outdoor swimming pools, tennis courts, day spa, mini golf, and golf (3 full courses). We will be staying in 3-bedroom villas, complete with full kitchen. Each villa should accomodate 5 people (2 rooms with 1 king bed and 1 room with 2 queen beds). Please indicate your villa roommate preferences and requests below (if you require a king bed, etc).
TRANSPORTATION - we will be paying for transportation for all staff who are willing/able to attend the event. This may be via plane or car - whatever is preferred and reasonable. Please note that due to rising flight costs, this may require you to be a bit more flexible on departure/arrival times. Our goal is to have everyone arrive in Orlando (preferably MCO) on Thursday afternoon or evening and depart sometime on Sunday (though we will have a villa reserved for Sunday night in case reasonable flights are not available until Monday). We are planning to secure at least 2 rental cars to shuttle attendees from the airport to the resort (which is about 45 minutes southwest). Any transportation offsite during the course of the event will be up to individual attendees (either via Uber or your own rental car). Please indicate your travel/flight preferences when prompted below!
FOOD - we are hoping to provide most (if not all) meals for all attendees during this event. Since each villa will contain a kitchen, we would like to do at least one group potluck, with each villa being responsible for cooking particular dishes to contribute to a group meal! Please make note of your dietary restrictions below.
PROGRAMMING - we intend to maxmize our time at Retreat! We will be taking time to do some goal planning, discussion, and tackling Fraternity work, while also taking some much-needed time for socializing and brotherhood - something we all need after a LONG 2 years! We ask that all attendees come prepared and contribute to discussions and activities to make the most of the short time we have together.
We are so looking forward to seeing everyone in mid-May!
