2023 Board Meeting: Houston, TX

Friday, June 2–Sunday, June 4

We look forward to seeing you in Houston in June.  If you have any questions, please reach out to Sara Nathan at [email protected].

Dear Board Members,   

We are looking forward to our first in-person board meeting since the start of the pandemic. Our time together will be a moment to reconnect, align on our strategy going forward, and clarify each of our roles for the year ahead.  

The overarching goals for our upcoming retreat together are:  

  1. Reconnect and build cohesion  
  2. Review plans for operational sustainability coming out of the pandemic  
  3. Prepare for our 2nd major fundraising campaign  
  4. Have fun! 

On this website you will find important travel and meeting information. We will notify the board when the meeting materials are posted. Please let us know if you have any questions for your time in Houston.   

We look forward to seeing you soon.  

 

Best Regards,  

Sara and Kevin

 

Sara Nathan

President & CEO

Kevin Lanier

Chair, Board of Directors 

Airports: There are two airports close to Houston: George Bush Intercontinental (IAH) and Hobby Airport (HOU). Choose whichever airport works best for your travel logistics. 

Transport to and from the airport: We recommend transport via Uber or Lyft from the airport to the hotel and back. This is not included in meeting fees. As we get closer, we will let you know if others are arriving at similar times so that you may organize shared rides, if desired.  

Lodging: We will be staying at the Hotel ZaZa for our lodging and have a meeting room reserved in the hotel. We have a discounted room rate. AMIGOS has made reservations under your name based on your registration. Reservation confirmation numbers have been emailed to board members. 

Attire: Please check the weather before you travel. We strongly recommend dressing in layers. It is usually very warm in Houston in June, but meeting rooms will be well air conditioned and can be quite cold. The hotel has a pool and gym for anyone who wants to make use of them.  

  • Friday dinner: casual  
  • Saturday meetings: casual 
  • Saturday reception & dinner: business casual 
  • Sunday morning: casual  

Meeting fees: Invoices for meeting fees will be sent after the meeting concludes. 

Additional things to do in Houston: If you have more time in Houston here are a few things we recommend doing:  

  • Explore or run in the parks 
    • Herman Park  
    • Memorial Park  
    • Allen Parkway  
  • Try a local craft brewery 
  • Explore Rice University  
  • Shopping:  
    • Highland Village  
    • River Oaks Shopping Mall  
    • Rice Village  
    • The Galleria  
  • Museums  
    • Museum of Fine Art (free on Thursdays and located across the street from the ZaZa)
    • Museum of Natural Sciences (see the dinosaurs!)  
    • Museum of Modern Art  
    • Museum of Contemporary Art  
    • Rothko Chapel  

 

Below is a simple agenda for our time together. We will provide you with a detailed agenda in your pre-read packet. The below times are subject to change. 

Friday, June 2 

  • 5:00pm – Welcome – Monarch Restaurant Patio, ZaZa Hotel
  • 5:45pm – Walk to Menil Collection 
  • 7:00pm – Dinner, Menil Bistro 

Saturday, June 3  

  • 8:00am – Breakfast 
  • 8:15am – Welcome & Reconnect
  • 8:45am – 2023 Programs: Our 59th Summer 
  • 9:30am – 2023 in Review & Planning through 2024
  • 10:50am – Break 
  • 11:00am – 2023 Special Events: Houston Luncheon & Adelante Benefit (w/event leadership)  
  • 12:00pm – Lunch with Lifelong Leader’s Luncheon leadership 
  • 1:00pm – AMIGOS Fund for the Future – Role of a Board in a Campaign 
  • 2:00pm – Engaging our Community and Donors – Live Coaching Session w/Kirsten Schachter 
  • 3:30pm – Break 
  • 4:30pm – Meet in Lobby 
  • 4:40pm – Depart for AMIGOS Reception
  • 5:00 – AMIGOS Reception
  • 7:30pm – Dinner, Backstreet Cafe  

Sunday, June 4 

  • 8am – Breakfast & Social Media Training 
  • 9am – Working Session – Planning for the Future 
  • 10:30 – Closing