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Board OKs RFQ for strategic-planning facilitator and schedules multi‑day session at Marriott
Summary
The board approved issuing an RFQ for a facilitator who will meet individually with directors and executive staff, and scheduled a day-and-a-half (two-day) strategic-planning retreat at the Marriott conference center using the township's existing agreement.
The Woodlands Township directors directed staff to issue a request for qualifications (RFQ) for a strategic-planning facilitator and approved holding the board’s strategic-planning session at the Marriott conference center in the first quarter of 2025.
President & CEO Monique Sharp told directors staff would issue an RFQ that asks prospective facilitators to meet with key staff and with each director individually before the retreat to gather perspectives and prepare an agenda. Staff said an RFQ response period would likely take about three weeks and that the facilitator would be a paid consultant with government facilitation experience.
Directors discussed logistics and cost. Several directors recommended scheduling two days (or a day and a half) to cover a backlog of at least 10 agenda topics board members have suggested. Concerns were raised about additional off-site costs and the inability to broadcast live from a location outside the township building; staff said sessions could be videotaped and posted afterwards and that the township’s Marriott agreement covers some room costs (with additional AV and refreshment expenses anticipated).
The motion directing staff to issue the RFQ, require facilitator meetings with staff and directors, and schedule the retreat (Marriott, two days) passed on a board vote.
Why it matters: The facilitator-led retreat is meant to set board priorities and clarity for staff across a list of board-proposed initiatives that are currently unfunded or unprioritized.
What’s next: Staff will issue the RFQ, review responses and bring facilitator recommendations back to the board in February.
