AAGT Board Retreat: Learning, Leading…and Renewing Our Vows 💙

What happens when a group of passionate volunteers gets together for a weekend of leadership, planning, and a healthy dose of laughter?

You get an AAGT Board Retreat.

Each year, our Board of Directors steps away from the day-to-day work to invest in something just as important as meetings and decisions: becoming stronger leaders for Arizona’s gifted community.

Throughout the retreat, we celebrated our progress, reflected on our strategic goals, tackled big ideas, and challenged ourselves to grow individually and as a team. We explored what it means to be an effective nonprofit board and how we can continue serving AAGT members with intention, collaboration, and heart.

One of our favorite sessions focused on leadership through the lens of The Ideal Team Player by Patrick Lencioni. Together, we reflected on how humility, initiative, and strong relationships help us become better teammates—and ultimately, better advocates for gifted students, educators, and families across Arizona.

And because this is AAGT, there was plenty of fun mixed in, too.

One memorable highlight was our lighthearted “commitment ceremony” to AAGT. Dressed in our wedding best (or our closest approximation!), board members renewed their commitment to the organization by reciting humorous vows to support gifted education, work together, and continue serving our community. It was equal parts heartfelt, hilarious, and a wonderful reminder that strong teams are built not only through hard work, but also through joy.

That spirit is what makes serving on the AAGT Board so special.

Board service isn’t just about attending meetings. It’s about learning together, challenging one another, celebrating successes, building lasting relationships, and helping shape the future of gifted education in Arizona.

We’re incredibly grateful for our volunteer leaders who generously share their time, expertise, and passion throughout the year. Their commitment helps ensure AAGT continues to grow, innovate, and advocate for gifted learners across our state.

Here’s to another year of learning, leading, laughing—and keeping our vows to Arizona’s gifted community.