Very simply put, strategic planning identifies where the organization wants to be at some point in the future and how it is going to get there. The "strategic" part of this planning process is the continual attention to current changes in the organization and its external environment, and how this affects the future of the organization. Skills in strategic planning are critical to the long-term success of your organization. This form of planning includes:
a) Taking a wide look around at what's going on outside the organization and how it might affect the organization (an environmental scan), and identifying opportunities and threats
b) Taking a hard look at what's going on inside the organization, including its strengths and weaknesses (perhaps doing a SWOT analysis)
c) Establishing statements of mission, vision and values (some prefer to do that as the first step in planning)
d) Establishing goals to accomplish over the next (usually) three years or so, as a result of what's going on inside and outside the organization
e) Identifying how those goals will be reached (strategies, objectives, responsibilities and timelines)
a) Taking a wide look around at what's going on outside the organization and how it might affect the organization (an environmental scan), and identifying opportunities and threats
b) Taking a hard look at what's going on inside the organization, including its strengths and weaknesses (perhaps doing a SWOT analysis)
c) Establishing statements of mission, vision and values (some prefer to do that as the first step in planning)
d) Establishing goals to accomplish over the next (usually) three years or so, as a result of what's going on inside and outside the organization
e) Identifying how those goals will be reached (strategies, objectives, responsibilities and timelines)
Mission StatementThe mission statement describes the overall purpose of the Club. If your club does not have a mission statement, take the time to create one.
GFWC MISSION STATEMENT
The General Federation of Women’s Clubs is an international women’s organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. GFWC VISION STATEMENT Our vision is to empower women in collaborative efforts of philanthropy, advocacy, and community leadership. |
SWOT AnalysisFirst make sure all members understand the Club's Mission and/or Vision Statement.
SWOT Analysis is a useful technique for understanding your Strengths and Weaknesses, and for identifying both the Opportunities open to you and the Threats you face.
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Action PlansThe club's commitment to strategic planning is commensurate to the extent that a) the club completes action plans to reach each strategic goal and b) includes numerous methods for verifying and evaluating the actual extent of implementation of the action plan.
1. Actions plans specify the actions needed to address each of the top club's issues and to reach each of the associated goals, who will complete each action and according to what timeline.
2. Develop an overall, top-level action plan that depicts how each strategic goal will be reached. 3. The format of the action plan depends on the nature and needs of the club. The plan for the club, each major function, each Committee Chair and each member, might specify: a) The goal(s) that are to be accomplished b) How each goal contributes to the club's overall strategic goals c) What specific results (or objectives) much be accomplished that, in total, reach the goal of the club d) How those results will be achieved e) When the results will be achieved (or timelines for each objective) |