Strengthening
Our Core.
Before we strengthen our programs, we strengthen the team behind them - four days of honest reflection, cross-department alignment, and concrete commitments to the people we serve. We gather inward, so we can reach further outward.
We come back to the center,
so we can return to the field with clearer eyes.
- Dates
- Jun 22–25
- 2026
- Venue
- The Henry
- Autograph Collection
- City
- Dearborn
- Michigan
- Gathering
- ~60
- HDF staff
Fairlane Plaza · 300 Town Center Dr, Dearborn, MI 48126
Every decision we make
touches a life.
The Messenger of Allah (ﷺ) said, "The believers in their mutual kindness, compassion and sympathy are just like one body. When one of the limbs suffers, the whole body responds to it with wakefulness and fever."
Great organizations come from teams that understand themselves. Before we can serve others well, we have to see how our departments, projects, and daily tasks contribute to the mission - and where the gaps between us are quietly costing the people we serve.
When we see each other's work clearly,we serve beneficiaries better.
This is an invitation to reflect inwardly and step outwardly - beyond our departments, into each other's shoes.
A structured journey from individual awareness to organizational commitment.
The Playbook
The full agenda, reflection prompts, and your own notes live inside the Playbook.
Each chapter opens session by session - a quiet place to take notes, reflect, and carry action items home. Sign in to enter your Playbook; your entries are private to you unless specified.
How to prepare and engage.
Walk in ready to be honest - with yourself and your team.
- Complete the leadership styles reflection
- Read the workshop overview
- Think of one cross-departmental colleague you'd like to understand better
- Come ready to be honest - with yourself and your team
- Notebook or laptop
- Openness to feedback
- Knowledge of your department's current challenges
- A story about a beneficiary your work has touched
Consider these questions before we begin. You won't be forced to share your answers, but they will ground your experience.
- 01
What does it mean to serve with excellence in my role?
- 02
How does my work connect to the communities HDF serves?
- 03
What do I wish my colleagues understood about my department's work?
- 04
What would I change if I could?
- 05
What does accountability look like for me personally?
Help us understand where we are starting from.
Anonymous responses help the facilitation team prepare. Takes about 3 minutes.
The work continues in your Playbook.
Every session in the retreat has a quiet companion online - a private Playbook where reflections, takeaways, and commitments live together. So the conversation doesn't end on day four.
Reflect as you go
Prompted notes for each session, saved automatically as you type.
Capture commitments
What you'll carry back to your team - written, not just said.
Track your progress
Mark sessions complete and watch your four days take shape.
Return at 30 / 60 / 90 days
Revisit the work when it matters - your notes are still there.
Private to HDF staff
playbook / day 2 / strengthening our core
Preview
Day 2 · Session 03
Strengthening Our Core
Where does our culture quietly drift?
A conversation about the gap between what we say and what we do.
Reflection prompt
"Name one place where our actions don't yet match our words. What would it look like to close that gap?"
Your notes
We talk about belonging, but our intake forms still feel like a gatekeeper. I want to bring this back to the team and rewrite them together before Q3.
My commitment
Draft new intake language with the team by July 15.
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Frequently asked questions.
Still wondering? Zaneh@hdfund.org