Why Retreats are Worth Your Time and Money
Relax, rejuvenate, rediscover

"The weekend retreat Donna and Peggy facilitated was by turns invigorating and peaceful, intellectually stimulating and introspective, rambunctious and intimate and filled with laughter and tears. I came away with a renewed awareness of the support and FUN that women friends can offer, as well as the invaluable unfolding and replenishment of self that comes with solitude and time away from the demands of daily life. Donna and Peggy have a wonderful ability to combine heart, soul, wisdom and organization to create a meaningful and enjoyable experience."
--Nina El-Tobgy, Pittsburgh, Pa.

In the last issue of this e-newsletter, we announced New Beginnings, a weekend retreat designed to help women relax, rejuvenate and rediscover before the holidays. The retreat, which was held December 7-9, was so successful we're offering more sessions, including two mid-week retreats. This year, retreat dates include April 23-25 (midweek); May 30-June 1 (weekend); Sept. 10-12 (midweek); Oct. 31-Nov. 2 (weekend; and Dec 5-7 (weekend).

Why should I attend a retreat like this?
Women's lives are busier than ever as we try to be all things to all people. We juggle a list of roles that include spouse, partner, caregiver, career person, mother, grandmother, teacher, volunteer and friend. Along with the roles comes the idea that a successful woman is fit, informed, engaged and prosperous. We have a lot on our plates! Sometimes, our ability to be all things to all people is a point of pride. Other times, the feeling can generate stress, anxiety and weariness.

Retreats allow us to cultivate joy and well being that is the antithesis of weariness. Taking a few days to step out of our roles in a separate, peaceful space helps us maintain joy and equilibrium in the future. A retreat is a respite that allows you to quietly and thoughtfully assess who you are and where you're going.

Why our retreat and not someone elses?
We chose the name New Beginnings because that's what we want women to feel at the end of the retreat: this is a fresh start that offers ideas, applications and processes they can apply to specific real-world situations.

During the retreat, you can expect to delve deeper into your life and learn practical processes that will help you deal with whatever is happening now and in the future. This includes an in-depth action plan and an accountability system specific to your life. We also include two hours of coaching, which you may schedule with Reach the Top within six weeks following the retreat.

Where do the retreats take place?
New Beginnings retreats are held at the Providence Villa Retreat Center, a peaceful oasis in the heart of the North Hills, about 15 minutes north of Pittsburgh. The Villa sits on 18 lush woodland acres that includes spacious lawns and trails - plus all the modern amenities. The setting allows participants and instructors to pull back from life's busy-ness, demands and pressures.

How much do retreats cost?
The cost to attend a retreat is $695 per person and includes all accommodations, workshop materials and all meals except one when we'll attend dinner together away from the Villa. If you register early for a retreat, we offer a discount of $75.

For more information, or to register for a New Beginnings retreat, click here or call Reach the Top at 724-935-1397.

Nuggets of Learning

The retreat triple crown
As a participant in a women's retreat, you'll benefit from:
1. Solitude
To get in touch with your inner self - the self that's stripped of its many roles - you must spend quiet time alone in a setting that requires no roles.

2. Stillness
Do you know the sound of your inner voice? Or is it constantly drowned out by the external voices of family, friends and co-workers? In order to hear your voice, you must spend time listening in silence, so that you can honor and nurture your natural intuition.

3. Well-being
If you're like most women, you spend the majority of your time nurturing and caring for other people. A retreat allows you to give the same gracious attention to yourself.

Announcing New Beginnings...

Here are the details for the April 23-25 Retreat:

Location: Providence Villa Retreat Center, 10745 Babcock Blvd., Gibsonia PA 15044

When: Begins: Wednesday, April 23 - 5:00 p.m.
Ends: Friday, April 25 - 3:00 p.m.

Cost: Early Bird Registration until March 1 $620
Registration after March 1 $695

Cancellation Fee: $150 for cancellations received in writing after April 4, 2008

(The cost includes accommodations, all meals except for Thursday night and workshop materials)

Facilitators: Donna Billings, PCC and Peggy Fayfich

New Beginnings: Retreat for Women Registration Form

Name:_____________________________________________

Address:____________________________________________

City:_______________________________________________

Home Phone:_____________Work Phone:_________________

Email:______________________________________________

Donna, I can't attend this one but want to sign up for a future retreat. Please contact me at ___________________________________________________

Detach and mail with payment to:
Donna Billings, PCC, c/o Reach the Top, 2123 Huntington Ct So., Wexford PA 15090

Reservations with payment must be received by Friday, April 4, 2008. You will receive confirmation of your reservation via email, along with directions to the Providence Villa Retreat Center. We will also send you more information about the workshop, as well as a list of times during the workshop that will be available for a professional massage by certified massage therapists.

About the Facilitators:

Donna Billings, Founder of Reach the Top, is a professional certified coach, an educator, a professional lecturer on leadership training, a consultant on organizational development and human resource management. She has 20 years' corporate and academic background, and more than 10 years' coaching experience in helping women through transitions; and has participated in several of Joan Anderson's retreats - A Weekend to Change your Life, and a Spiritual Retreat to the Isle of Iona, Scotland. She has been through several life/career transitions, including a life-altering hike on the Inca Trail to Macchu Pichu, Peru.

Peggy Fayfich, Founder and President of Strategic Retreats, has made successful career transitions over the past 30 years that led to leadership roles in telecommunications, financial services, retailing and nonprofit organizations. She has effectively applied her expertise in organizational development, succession planning, coaching, recruiting and selection, mergers and acquisitions, pay and benefits, sales management and merchandising to help individuals and organizations navigate transitions and consistently achieve growth objectives.

Mark your Calendar: If you can't attend on April 23-25, sign up for a future New Beginnings Retreat:
May 30 - June 1 (weekend)
September 10-12 (midweek)
October 31 - November 2 (weekend)
December 5-7 (weekend)

Embrace a new leadership role. Inspire and motivate your people. Transition into a new career. Shift into a meaningful retirement. Our goal at Reach the Top is to help you design and implement the next stage of your life successfully and joyously!

Donna Billings, Founder and PCC

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