As I write this column we are preparing for our annual ASIS&T Board of Directors retreat where the members gather for almost two days of discussion and planning. It might seem old-fashioned in the age of distributed working and collaborative meeting tools that we come together as a group in person, but in my view the face-to-face gathering is essential for our work. While basic examination and commentary on routine proposals and committee reports can be productively handled remotely, the retreat is an opportunity for the leadership to talk openly about the issues facing us as an association. Through co-location in a hotel or meeting space (this time generously donated by the School of Information Studies at McGill), members can focus without distraction on the important matters and gain a better sense of the collective view of issues than can be easily enabled through conference calls.