State Officer Leadership Development
State Officer Leadership Retreat
The State Officer Leadership Retreat, known as SOLR, is where the SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary State Officer Team begins its year of leadership, service, and professional growth.
Newly elected officers come together for an immersive retreat focused on trust, communication, teamwork, strategic planning, and the SkillsUSA Framework. SOLR is more than an orientation. It is where individual leaders become one statewide team.
The SOLR Experience
Lead Together. Learn Together. Serve Together.
Every part of the retreat is designed to prepare officers to represent Tennessee members with professionalism, purpose, and integrity.
Build the Team
Officers establish trust, learn how to support one another, and create the foundation for a successful year of service.
Develop Leadership
Hands-on sessions strengthen communication, self-awareness, collaboration, professionalism, and problem-solving.
Plan the Year
The team develops its Annual Program of Work, identifies priorities, and establishes shared goals for the year ahead.
Prepare to Serve
Officers prepare to lead statewide programs, engage members, represent SkillsUSA, and support Tennessee's future workforce.
Career-Ready Leadership
Leadership Through the SkillsUSA Framework
SOLR connects officer development to the Essential Elements and the skills students need for college, careers, leadership, and life.
Personal Skills
Integrity, work ethic, professionalism, responsibility, adaptability, and self-motivation.
Workplace Skills
Communication, teamwork, decision-making, planning, leadership, and problem-solving.
Technical Skills Grounded in Academics
Career readiness, technology use, professional development, industry awareness, and continuous learning.
What Officers Experience
Immersive Leadership Development
Leadership development happens inside and outside the classroom through guided reflection, strategic work, and adventure-based learning.
SkillsUSA Framework
Officers explore the Essential Elements and connect them to leadership, employability, and future career success.
Communication Styles
Activities help officers understand their own communication preferences and work effectively with different personalities.
CliftonStrengths
Officers identify their individual talents and learn how their strengths contribute to the success of the entire team.
Program of Work
The team develops goals, identifies priorities, assigns responsibilities, and begins planning meaningful statewide initiatives.
Team Challenges
Initiative games and Team Quest activities strengthen trust, communication, adaptability, and collaborative problem-solving.
Adventure-Based Learning
Outdoor experiences may include canoeing, kayaking, zipline challenges, team activities, reflection, and campfire discussions.
Retreat Information
Who Participates
SOLR brings together the people who guide, mentor, and support the State Officer Team throughout its year of service.
- Leadership development sessions
- SkillsUSA Framework activities
- Strategic planning
- Team-building experiences
- Adventure-based learning
- Meals and lodging
- Officer apparel and resources
- Team identity and goal setting
A Year of Service Begins Here
Leadership Beyond the Retreat
Officers carry what they learn at SOLR into statewide programs, conferences, advocacy, membership growth, chapter engagement, community service, and workforce partnerships.
The retreat establishes the relationships and shared purpose that guide the team throughout the year.
Interested in Becoming a State Officer?
Learn about qualifications, responsibilities, the election process, and the opportunity to represent SkillsUSA Tennessee College/Postsecondary.
Explore State Officer Opportunities