Top tips for preparing for autumn awaydays
September is a popular time for charity Boards to come together for an awayday – a chance to step back, reconnect, and look ahead. But what makes the difference between a day that feels purposeful and energising, and one that slips into the familiar rhythm of business-as-usual?
We’ve designed and facilitated dozens of Board awaydays over the years – and have summarised our top tips for planning an awayday with your Board.
Make clear the difference you want to make
All great days are centred around a clear purpose. Ask yourself: what are we trying to achieve with this time together? How are people walking into the room? How do we want them to feel when they leave?
Setting this intention at the outset shapes everything that follows, from the design of the agenda to the tone of the conversations. The best awaydays are those which are built together with the Chair and Chief Executive, so that they meet both sets of expectations and reflect a shared understanding of the purpose.
Be fearsome with the agenda
It’s tempting to pack the day full of items, but when it comes to awaydays less is more. You should create space for connection, reflection, and creativity – things that don’t happen easily in regular meetings or when the schedule is overloaded.
Think carefully about sequencing too. We recommend keeping regular Board meetings out of an awayday but if doing standard Board business is unavoidable, schedule those items last on your agenda.
Think about accessibility and inclusion
The venue you choose makes a big difference to how included and energised people feel throughout the day. Is it light and comfortable? Does it meet trustees’ accessibility needs? Does the layout of the room encourage conversation and collaboration? These small details can have a big impact on the success of the awayday.
Remember that different trustees have different learning styles; check that your agenda has a mixture of formats to help everyone engage fully, from breakouts, silent reflection and plenary to more visual work with post its and flipcharts.
Free up the Chair and Chief Executive
If you want your Chair and Chief Executive to fully participate, consider how to release them from the running of the agenda.
A skilled facilitator can create safe space for candid reflection and keep the agenda on track as well as allowing the Chair and Chief Executive to contribute their perspectives as participants.
Set the day in a longer arc
Think of your awayday not as a one-off, but as part of a bigger story. If you’re heading towards a strategy review in 2026, for example, this session could be used as a stock take to begin to prepare the ground.
An awayday is a valuable opportunity to step back, reconnect, and set direction. With a disciplined agenda, attention to accessibility, and space for everyone to contribute, you can create a day that leaves trustees energised and aligned for the future.