Success Stories

PEN/Faulkner Foundation

Our Challenge:
Founded by professional writers in 1980, and named for William Faulkner, who used his Nobel Prize funds to create an award for young writers, and PEN, the international writers’ organization, the PEN/Faulkner Foundation brings together American writers and readers in a wide variety of programs to promote a love of literature. The organization came to OAI for guidance and assistance in solving a key challenge – to create an environment where the Board and staff could openly and effectively address internal and external stresses.

Our Solution:
On March 28, 2009 OAI facilitated a retreat for the Board of Directors at the PEN/Faulkner Foundation office.  OAI helped the board determine the key issues that had been leading to consternation among board members and staff.  The group divided the key issues into three areas, which were discussed with the full 30 person board.  In the last 90 minutes of the morning retreat, the board was broken into three groups and asked to design and recommend several next steps towards resolving the issues.  Leaders from each group reported the results back to the full board and left with an agreed upon series of decisions and next steps.

The Results:
As a result of the PEN/Faulkner Board retreat, the group was able to openly address organizational stresses and effectively brainstorm solutions and next steps.  OAI is confident that PEN/Faulkner is moving in the right direction to advance its programmatic, organizational, operational and funding needs.