How To Retreat

... or the attempt to bring structure to chaos.

An-Cathrin Gras

Start 16:34

Round of introductions

Introduce yourself by name, university, semester in the student council, what you hope to get out of the workshop and your favourite sock colour.

Definition: A written exam is led by a neutral moderator. The individual topics are worked on in groups or in a joint plenary session. The organisation of such conferences must be structured and take place in a neutral, inspiring location.

The retreat requires a targeted structure, for example group formation with familiarisation phases etc. The aim is for the group to work together fully until the end.

Why a retreat?

• One = peace and quiet for intensive work phases
• Two = distance from day-to-day business
• Three = Create free space
• Four = Consult experts
• Five = Change of perspective
• Six = Strengthen group dynamics

External experts can also be invited. A change of perspective and openness to other points of view are important and the "shell game" is very suitable for this, where you have to put on the hat of another opinion, especially on controversial topics. The better the group dynamics, the more successful the outcome.

The work beforehand

• One = Analysis and initial situation
  • One = Why do we want to meet?
• Two = Objective
  • Two = What end result do we want?
• Three = Planning & preparation
  • Three = Where will the conference take place?
    • Three = Accommodation/catering
      • Three = Which groups are involved?
        • Three = Framework programme
• Four = Task planning

In the meantime

• One = Structure is the key!
• Two = Who has which tasks?
• Three = Keep to the schedule
• Four = Balance between fun and games
• Five = Document results

Breaks and free slots are important to deepen and further discuss results if necessary. Knowledge management is very important in order to be able to understand the results afterwards

the fun afterwards!

• One = Get feedback
• Two = knowledge management
• Three = settlement

Every student body should have a good knowledge management system!

Your Turn! Work phase

A closed meeting is prepared in small groups of 3 people, whereby the following questions must be clarified:

• One = Where will the KT take place?
• Two = Which groups/participants are involved?
• Three = What is the timetable?

Each group then has 5 minutes to pitch. The topic for the KT can be chosen by the participants themselves. The aim of the exercise is to develop structural methods. The following methods have been collected in advance:

• One = Put on hats
• Two = Podium
• Three = Workshop
• Four = Input presentation
• Five = Market of opportunities
• Six = Barcamp
• Seven = Pitch & Prio
• Eight = Breaks
• Nine = Group activities

Group work until 17:20 End of group work 17:40

Pitch

Group 1

A member integration should be brought about. A sustainable knowledge transfer is essential. The conference should take place in summer at a mountain hut in the Alps from Friday to Sunday so that everyone can participate. Friday Start with arrival from 4 pm First team building from 5 pm, followed by cooking together. An evening programme with group games ends the first day. From 9 a.m. there is a plenary session, 10:00-10:15 a.m. break Then discussion of the topics and distribution of tasks by team (how to work out) including brainstorming From 12 noon we cook and eat together From 2 p.m. guidelines and to-do lists are created. From 15:30 Presentation of results, followed by a break with coffee and cake From 17:15 committees are presented, followed by a break Followed by a student triathlon On Sunday from 9am breakfast and discussion of the results, from 1pm hike in the mountain pasture and then departure

Group 2

In Bavaria, a new university law comes into force on 1 November. Aim: to work out the changes as part of a boycott? The meeting will take place in a hut from Friday to Saturday. Catering will be provided by the cookery team. Group size of approx. 15 people

Arrival approx. 4 pm and subsequent shopping/arrival Dinner from 6 pm 8:30 pm Plenary TV programme

Breakfast from 9 am Group work 10:30 am Lunch 1:30 pm Market of opportunities 3 pm Barcamp followed by dinner and evening programme

Breakfast 9 a.m. Followed by plenary lunch 13:30 Departure

Group 3

Aim: Sustainable student bodies, i.e. knowledge management and recruitment through systems and workflows Weekend in a youth hostel in an undisturbed place such as a forest.

Friday: Arrival & arrival Plenary: Discuss the aim of the weekend Lunch Socialising Evening event: Group quiz Alcohol-free

Saturday: Breakfast Group division: "old hands" and newcomers Interactive game to loosen things up Lunch break Plenary workshops Evening programme Two options for the party animals and those who don't feel like "getting their knickers in a twist"

Sunday: Breakfast Criticism by newcomers Barcamp: What is still open? Lunch: Summary Departure

Vote on who organised the best KT:

Group 1: 4 Group 2: 2 Group 3: 3