Introduction: The City of Carnation embarked on a transformative journey to define its future direction through a strategic planning retreat.

Challenge: The City of Carnation faced multifaceted challenges, including the need to define clear goals, enhance community engagement, and establish effective governance practices. With diverse perspectives and priorities among council members and city staff, the challenge was to facilitate productive discussions and reach consensus on key issues.

Approach: Preparation was key to the success of the retreat. Pre-read materials, including agendas, council procedures, and previous goals, were distributed to participants. Additionally, pre-calls were conducted with council members to identify overarching themes and priorities, ensuring focused discussions during the retreat.

During the retreat, I employed proven facilitation techniques to guide discussions and foster collaboration. Structured exercises and guided dialogue were used. Together we identified strategic priorities, establish guiding principles, and develop actionable recommendations.

Results:

• Clear goal setting with key priorities like zoning improvements and economic development, with specific milestones for accountability

• Guiding principles adoption to emphasize quality of life, community development, sustainability, and trust

• Strengthened relationships among council members and staff, leading to consensus on critical projects

• A commitment to regular goal review meetings and team-building exercises, ensuring sustainability

Conclusion: Through strategic facilitation, the City of Carnation achieved tangible outcomes, positioning itself for continued success and positive community impact.