Re: "not everyone is yet ready to return to the corporate altar"
"During the project everyone should get together every month, or every couple of months to catch up and socialise."
It might also be weekly depending on the project and the group. A short Monday morning start of week conference might be all that's required for some. Everybody goes off the rest of the time and works on their bit. I know that can work pretty well for engineering groups. One company I was working for it was preferable to not be in the same room as one obnoxious engineer as long as was possible.