RHA to hold leadership retreat at Fourwinds this weekend

Gray days and huge amounts of schoolwork are enough to get anybody down. However, the National Resident Hall Honorary Retreat might be the perfect solution to the January blues. \nThe NRHH is hosting its 16th annual retreat this weekend at the Fourwinds Resort and Marina on Lake Monroe. The cost for an entire weekend away at a hotel is only $20. \nThough the retreat is \nprimarily aimed at first- and second-year students in the residence halls, the event is open to any IU student.\n"The content is beneficial to any student, even those who have been involved on campus for years," said senior and president of NRHH Jenn Leitner.\nThe theme for this year's retreat is "Leadersheep: What the Flock?" The weekend is set up with conference-style programming, meaning students are able to pick and choose the sessions which are most appropriate to their needs.\n"The best part of the retreat is the program sessions where the retreat becomes personalized," said Adam Wiszowaty, vice president of programming for IU's Residence Halls Association. \nA wide variety of topics will be offered, including "How to Say No," "Massage for Stress Management," "Resume Building and Interview Skills," "Team Building." Sessions will be led by a variety of people, ranging from Kelley School of Business professors Keith Dayton and David Rubinstein to representatives from the health center. \nMeals will be covered by the participants' payment for the weekend. Dean of Students Dick McKaig will be the keynote speaker at dinner Saturday night. McKaig will speak about leadership from his perspective.\nFollowing the scheduled activities Saturday, participants will have the evening to socialize and enjoy the pool and sauna at Fourwinds. Sunday morning's events include diversity training and a closing brunch. Students will return to campus around noon.\nThe retreat offers learning and networking opportunities for students, as well as the chance to leave campus for the night.\n"Not only does it expose (students) to valuable information to develop as a student leader, but it's a great networking experience and a great off-campus getaway," Leitner said. "All the information is easy to apply to everyday life."\nJunior Anna Saraceno, president of Collins Living-Learning Center, is attending the retreat this year for the first time.\n"I'm looking forward to meeting people from other residence halls and hopefully networking with other student governments," Saraceno said. "I decided to go because I knew it would help improve my leadership skills as president of my residence hall."\nApproximately 100 participants are expected to attend the event. Applications for the event will be accepted until Thursday, and the cost for the weekend is $20. Applications are available online at www.indiana.edu/~nrhh.