INFO

Sept. 11 - 13, 2026

Andaz Savannah

GCCN’s 17th Annual Directors’ Retreat: The Power of Partnership was a three-day gathering that brought clinic directors from across the state together around one idea: lasting impact comes from authentic partnerships—professional, personal, organizational, and community—not from going it alone.

The meeting was practical, peer-driven, and grounded in the daily realities of free and charity clinics. The sessions mixed reflection, facilitation, and action so directors leave with tools, examples, and next steps.

This retreat is always held the weekend following Labor Day—so mark your calendar now and make plans to attend in 2027!

Friday, September 11

The retreat opened with a short orientation, then two core sessions:

Building Meaningful Relationships of All Types (Liz Coates, Good News Clinics) treats connections as strategic assets and gives participants frameworks plus one relationship to strengthen immediately.
Partnerships That Worked—and Those That Didn’t (facilitated by Shameka Allen, Good Samaritan Health Center of Gwinnett) is a peer exchange that treats both successes and failures as useful data. Leaders leave with evaluation criteria and stronger peer ties.

Evening included a reception and dinner with a caricature artist, and a Southern buffet dinner.

Saturday, September 12

After breakfast and a brief inspiration from Kelly Hines (Coweta Samaritan Clinic), the program focuses on people and money:

Managing Temperaments & Personalities (Dave Paule, Our Fundraising Search) uses the Keirsey Temperament Sorter to help leaders work more effectively with staff and volunteers under resource pressure.
The Value of Proper Communication with Partners (Holly Lang, Public Goods Group) examines the real costs of poor communication and the gains from doing it well.
Partnerships as a Core Fundraising Strategy (again Dave Paule) reframed funders, hospitals, and corporations as mutual-value partners rather than sources of cash.

Sunday, September 13

A shorter morning included breakfast, inspiration from John McCard (Macon Volunteer Clinic), a discussion on the Compassion Heals campaign, and a working session:

Brainstorming Legislative & Regulatory Ideas (Becky Ryles, GCCN lobbyist) turned frontline clinic experiences into concrete policy ideas that could cut administrative burden, expand capacity, and improve access. The group begins shaping GCCN’s legislative priorities.

The meeting was practical, peer-driven, and grounded in the daily realities of free and charity clinics. The sessions mixed reflection, facilitation, and action so directors leave with tools, examples, and next steps.

This retreat is always held the weekend following Labor Day—so mark your calendar now and make plans to attend in 2027!