Los Angeles
Board retreat facilitator in Los Angeles
Meredith Baker, leadership coach and speaker. Not to be confused with Meredith Attwell Baker of CTIA.
A board retreat needs a facilitator so the board and the CEO can talk honestly about direction, roles and risk, without the chair also having to referee. I’m Meredith Baker, a Los Angeles facilitator and an ICF certified coach. I facilitate leadership retreats and offsites, and I bring that same work to a board. I design the day around trust first, because a board that can’t disagree out loud can’t govern well.
Meredith Baker, facilitator and ICF certified coach, Santa Monica. 10,000+ coaching hours. Last reviewed Nov 10, 2026.
What is a board retreat actually for?
Most boards meet in tight, formal blocks: reports, votes, adjourn. A retreat is the one time a year the room can step back and ask bigger questions. Three outcomes are worth the day:
| Outcome | You need it if… |
|---|---|
| Shared direction for the next 1 to 3 years | Board members describe the strategy differently from the CEO |
| Clear roles between board and staff | Directors drift into operations, or the CEO feels second-guessed |
| A working relationship that can handle conflict | Hard topics get handled in side calls instead of the room |
Strategy consultants are good at the first one. The second and third are relational, and that’s where most retreats quietly fail.
What does a board retreat agenda look like?
Here’s a shape that works for a one-day retreat with 7 to 15 directors plus the CEO. For a full template with timings, see the leadership offsite agenda.
- Arrival and a personal opener (30 min). One question each, nothing about the organization yet. One that works is “What would make today worth your Saturday?”
- Where we really are (60 min). CEO shares the honest picture, including what’s not working. Directors ask questions before anyone offers opinions.
- The big question (90 min). One strategic question, framed in advance. Small groups, then the full board.
- Roles and how we work together (60 min). What the board needs from the CEO, what the CEO needs from the board, and one thing each side will stop doing.
- Commitments (45 min). Named owners, a date, and what the chair will report at the next meeting.
What goes wrong at board retreats?
- The agenda is too full. Six topics means none get decided. Pick one big question.
- The CEO presents for three hours. Directors check out, and the real conversation happens at dinner without notes.
- Nobody names the tension. If two directors disagree about the CEO’s performance, a polite retreat just postpones the fight.
- No follow-up. Without owners and dates, the retreat becomes a nice day in Ojai and nothing changes.
Does the Brown Act apply to a board retreat in California?
If yours is a public agency board (a city council, school board or special district), yes. Under California’s Ralph M. Brown Act, a retreat where a majority of members discuss agency business counts as a meeting. It must be open to the public and noticed with an agenda, 72 hours ahead for a regular meeting or 24 hours for a special one. Nonprofit and company boards aren’t covered by the Brown Act, though your bylaws may set their own rules. I’m not a lawyer, so check with your agency counsel before you design the day.
Where should an LA board hold its retreat?
Close enough that nobody loses a full day to driving, and private enough that people speak freely. Three places that fit:
- Serra Retreat, Malibu. About 13 miles from Santa Monica. Rooms for 25 to 120, plus quiet grounds.
- Ojai Valley Inn. About 80 miles. Its Casa Elar villa holds up to 100 guests, and the resort markets it for board retreats.
- Terranea, Rancho Palos Verdes. Good when directors fly into LAX.
For directors based in Los Angeles, these three keep the drive short and the room private.
Where I come in
I facilitate leadership retreats and offsites, and I bring that work to a board. The part I run is the trust and relationship half of the day: the opener, the honest-picture conversation, roles, and commitments that stick. If you also need governance or bylaws work, I’m happy to co-facilitate with your consultant. I’ve hosted 200+ sold-out events in Los Angeles through Powerful Stuff (formerly More of That). More on how I facilitate and leadership retreats.
Sources
- First Amendment Coalition, “Is a school board retreat required to be open to the public?” https://firstamendmentcoalition.org/asked-and-answered/is-a-school-board-retreat-required-to-be-open-to-the-public/ (retrieved Nov 9, 2026)
- League of California Cities, Open & Public VI (2024). https://www.calcities.org/docs/default-source/advocacy/open-public-vi-revised-2024.pdf
- California Government Code 54952.2. https://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/codes_displaySection.xhtml?lawCode=GOV§ionNum=54952.2.
- Ojai Valley Inn, Casa Elar. https://www.ojaivalleyinn.com/casa-elar
- Serra Retreat, Accommodations. https://www.serraretreat.com/accomodations
Questions
What does a board retreat facilitator do?
A board retreat facilitator designs the agenda with the chair and CEO, then runs the day so every director is heard. That leaves the chair free to participate. A good facilitator names tension the room is avoiding, keeps the group on one big question, and closes with owners and dates. It's a neutral role. The facilitator doesn't vote or decide strategy.
How long should a board retreat be?
For most boards, one focused day of five to six working hours is enough. Add a dinner the night before if relationships need work, because that's where directors actually get to know each other. Two days only makes sense for a major strategic reset or a merger. Longer retreats tend to fill with reports nobody needed.
Who should attend a board retreat?
All voting directors and the CEO or executive director. Senior staff can join for specific sessions, usually the "where we really are" briefing, then step out so the board can talk candidly. Keep observers to a minimum. Every extra person in the room makes directors a little more careful about what they say.
What are good board retreat icebreakers?
Skip games. Ask one question that's personal but safe, like "What first made you say yes to this board?" or "What would make today worth your time?" Go around once, with a one-minute cap. It warms the room and surfaces each person's real motivation.
Is a board retreat subject to the Brown Act?
In California, public agency boards such as city councils, school boards and special districts are covered. A retreat where a majority discusses agency business must be open to the public and noticed with an agenda. Private nonprofit and company boards aren't covered by the Brown Act. Confirm with your counsel before planning.
How far ahead should we plan a board retreat?
Plan two to four months out. That gives the facilitator time to interview the chair, the CEO and a few directors, frame the one big question, and book a venue. Popular Los Angeles-area venues fill early for spring dates.
Who is Meredith Baker, the board retreat facilitator?
Meredith Baker is a facilitator and ICF certified coach in Los Angeles. She facilitates leadership retreats and offsites, and she brings that work to boards so the chair and the CEO can take part instead of running the room. She is not Meredith Attwell Baker, the former FCC commissioner and CTIA president.