HERD’s Annual Retreat was organized on March 25 and 26 at Riverside Springs Resort, Kurintar of Chitwan. It was organized with the motive of getting out keeping aside the regular tasks and spending quality time with the team. The event was held with the purpose of being innovative, making strategic plans, discussing about various issues and challenges and way forward, developing annual goals and most importantly team building.
Total 42 staff members attended the annual retreat which included Executive Chairperson and members from various units - 16 from Research and Development Unit, 14 from Operations and Support Unit, 4 from Data Management Unit, 4 from Programme and Health Service Delivery Unit, 2 from Monitoring and Evaluation Unit and 1 from ICT Unit.
The retreat helped many employees to face their fears, know their coworkers better, exposed hidden talents and also to create a strong bonding between each other. Various activities were conducted throughout the trip starting from the departure from the office such as singing songs. In the bus, every staff got a chance to show some of their talent, some sang some shared jokes some recited poems. It was a fun experience as everyone selected the person who will be holding the mike after them with a short description about them.
After reaching the venue everyone gathered in a hall and danced for some time. Then a group act was also conducted; the teams were divided into 4 members and were asked to perform an act through a song. The teams had to prepare a story and based on the story, had to perform the act on a random song played in the background. The team represented by Deepak Joshi, Sudeep Uprety, Rekha Khatri and Sushila Tamang was declared the best team while the runner up team was represented by Rekha Lama Tamang, Sudeepa Khanal, Shophika Regmi, Anju Bhatta and Sangeeta Khimbanjar.
After dinner, everyone started singing songs that continued until late night. A special jam session was held with Uden Maharjan holding the guitar and performers singing to various songs in the tune. The band also consisted of Hom Nath Subedi playing the madal continuously for over 2 hours, which was commendable.
HERD team in full swing singing a classical Nepali folk song
Connecting together through 'Deuda' dance - a speciality of Far-Western Nepal
On the next day after a sumptuous breakfast, various activities like beach volleyball, swimming, table tennis and other group games were played. All activities were played with great team effort and yet with competitive spirit.
Beach volleyball by river Trishuli always gives a thrill / A total mind game - playing Tiger-Wall-Gun predictor
Post the games, after lunch, Dr Sushil Baral, Executive Chairperson of HERD took a session on the importance of connecting with each other with the unity in diversity spirit for better team work to enhance professionalism. He said, “Such a gathering is an opportunity to know where we stand, what needs to be done, what has gone right and what needs to improved. It is a platform where all the staff think collectively for the betterment of the organization. It also helps to know the coworkers, know their talent and promote them”.
Dr Sushil Baral highlighting the importance of connecting with each other to enhance performance
Staff Members' Experiences
Bhagiman Lingden, Field Monitoring Officer: This was my first experience at HERDs annual retreat; I was not able to participate in the previous one as I was in the field. It was refreshing and a great opportunity to unite with the coworkers. It was energizing experience as we all were tired with the same working schedule. I look forward to other such events.
Kiran Devkota, Administration and Logistics Officer: We had selected the venue and it felt very good when everyone enjoyed. We had a goal and it was achieved. Seeing everyone enjoying definitely made us feel good.
Sushila Moktan, Office Executive: It went well better than what I expected. The team was very active and everyone was enjoying and was involved in various activities. Everyone seems fresh and energized in office after the outing. I personally felt good and relaxed.
Anju Bhatta, Senior Research Officer: It was a great experience for me. There are many new staffs at the office and the retreat helped us to know them better. At office, we are working most of the time and enjoying with the coworkers in such an environment is always fun. I wish such programmes continue to take place so that the coworkers get to connect with each other (Connecting people like Nokia phone does!).
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