Announcements
There are always announcements to be made at the beginning of a retreat. While many of your women may have heard these announcements repeated over the years, or they seem “obvious” and unnecessary to most, they are particularly important to “retreat rookies”–those who have never been to a retreat before. While there may be some adjustments or changes every year, the basic list remains the same. So we keep our list of announcements from year to year, to be adjusted as needed.
Here is a sampling some of our regular announcements:
- Put your name and room number on your booklet;
- Write your promise verse in your booklet;
- Wear your name tags;
- Any procedures or amenities specific to your retreat locations (i.e. where they can buy coffee or snacks, pool/spa, walking trails, fitness centers);
- Don’t use the TV in your room–instead, allow this to truly be a “retreat” from worldly distractions;
- Silence your phones;
- Don’t make charges to your room (phone calls, room service); if you do, know that you will be asked to “settle up” before you leave the retreat;
- Call attention to the contents of their retreat booklet or program (i.e. schedule, evening devotions, order forms, book lists, etc.);
- Call attention to where the bathrooms are located, and note the scheduled breaks on your order of events;
- Call attention to the hospitality table, if you have one;
- If there is a problem, how should they deal with it? Introduce the authorized person (or persons) that the women should contact (coordinator, hotel liaison) for resolution of any issue.
- Fire alarm procedures (for some reason, our retreats have been prone to having fire alarms in the late night!)
