FEATURED ARTICLE
In
a rapidly changing world, it is important to have clear goals for our
organizations and to regularly review our progress. Strategic planning
allows the board to clarify organizational goals and evaluate different
strategies for achieving those goals. It helps us to make sure that our
budget, our services, and our personnel are focused on our mission and in
conformance with our values. This Help-Sheet lists the major steps in
strategic planning, focusing on the role of the Board of Directors.
Regardless of what planning model you use, the steps are similar
1.
Board of
Directors decides to engage in strategic planning to enable organization:
·
to adapt to
uncertain environment;
·
to respond
to changing community needs;
·
to
establish clear, measurable program outcomes;
·
to set
priorities for board and staff activities;
·
to ensure
services and organizational practices align with vision and values.
2.
Board of
Directors selects a group of 3-5 people to form a Strategic Planning
Committee. The role of the committee is:
·
to set a
realistic time-frame for the planning process;
·
to select
the people to be involved;
·
to engage
and advise a consultant or facilitator.
3.
Strategic
Planning Committee finds and recommends consultant.
·
Board of
Directors engages consultant.
4.
Consultant
and Strategic Planning Committee agree on strategic planning process.
·
Planning
horizon (How far ahead can you plan?);
·
Completion
date;
·
Who should
be involved? What stakeholders should participate? What are the roles of the
board and staff in the planning process?
·
What and
how information will be collected. (interviews, focus groups,
questionnaires);
·
Dates for
board planning sessions.
5.
Consultant
and/or Strategic Planning Committee and/or staff gather information. (May
require interviews, focus groups, surveys, or other research.)
6.
Consultant
facilitates planning session(s) with Board, Executive Director and invited
stakeholders (optional). Participants
·
review your
organizational mission, vision and values;
·
identify
key issues arising from your organization’s strengths and weaknesses;
·
identify
key issues arising from the environment in which you operate;
·
select
broad strategies to manage these issues;
·
set goals
and priorities for reasonable planning period (often 3-5 years).
·
assign
responsibilities;
·
set
criteria for measuring progress.
7.
Consultant
(with Strategic Planning Committee) drafts plan and presents to Board
8.
Board of
Directors reviews, revises, approves draft plan
9.
Staff
develops annual operational/action plans. Board and staff implement
strategic plan.
10.
Board
monitors progress, modifies programs and/or plan as required.
If you need help in
strengthening your governance capacity, preparing for planning or developing
a strategic plan that won’t sit on a shelf, contact Nathan Garber &
Associates.
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