Request for Facilitator

The Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology (MSAE) works to understand and preserve sound environments through education and advocacy. We seek a facilitator to lead an online or hybrid board retreat, accommodating members across the US, to refocus our efforts and strategically advance our mission.

The selected facilitator will be responsible for:

  • Designing a comprehensive retreat agenda that aligns with MSAE’s mission and our goal of refocusing our organizational efforts.
  • Facilitating an engaging and interactive online or hybrid retreat experience, accommodating participants across multiple US time zones.
  • Developing and providing pre-retreat materials and surveys, if applicable.
  • Facilitating discussions on strategic planning, board roles and responsibilities, and mission alignment.
  • Creating actionable outcomes and next steps for MSAE.
  • Providing a post-retreat summary report.
  • Adapting to the online/hybrid format with effective engagement strategies.
  • Ensuring accessibility for all board members.
  • Managing online platforms and technical aspects during the retreat.

Within this board retreat, we are aiming to develop a clear strategic plan to guide MSAE’s future initiatives, while clarifying and strengthening board roles and responsibilities. We also are looking to enhance our board’s cohesion and communication, and align our current programs and efforts with MSAE’s core mission.

The retreat could be online or hybrid, including asynchronous formats/materials, taking place July-November, 2025. Please provide potential dates within this timeframe. The duration of the retreat would be around 3 – 6 hours, potentially organized across multiple days. Our budget for compensating the selected facilitator ranges from $2,000 to $3,000.

Proposals should include the following information:

  • Facilitator Qualifications:
    • Resume or CV of the lead facilitator.
    • Relevant certifications or training.
    • Technical support capabilities.
    • Description of experience with online meeting platforms and collaborative tools.
    • Experience and qualifications in facilitating non-profit board retreats.
    • Examples of previous work and outcomes.
  • Proposed Retreat Design:
    • An outline of the proposed retreat agenda.
    • Examples of exercises and activities tailored to the online/hybrid format.
    • Description of facilitation methods and techniques.
    • Strategies for engaging participants in an online/hybrid environment across multiple time zones.
  • Cost Proposal:
    • A detailed breakdown of fees, including preparation, facilitation, and materials.
    • Any additional expenses.
  • Timeline:
    • Proposed timeline for planning and executing the retreat.

Proposals will be evaluated based on the following criteria:

  • Experience and qualifications of the facilitator.
  • Quality and relevance of the proposed retreat design.
  • Demonstrated ability to facilitate engaging online/hybrid retreats.
  • Understanding of non-profit board dynamics.
  • Cost-effectiveness.
  • Technical proficiency.

Submission Instructions

  • Proposals must be emailed to eleon[@]mwsae.org (Eric Leonardson, president) by May 15, 5:00 PM CST
  • Please submit your proposal as a single PDF document.
  • Any questions can be directed to Eric.
  • Proposals will be reviewed by a selection committee.
  • Shortlisted candidates may be invited for an interview.
  • The selected facilitator will be notified by June 15, 2025.

Thank you for your interest in working with the Midwest Society for Acoustic Ecology.