Strategic Planning overview

[NB: the links to these first two items are being changed. Revised links are expected by the end of this week 12/31. I'll remove this note when I update the links. --HM]

Preliminary Tasks:

  • Select Consultant

  • Define outcomes of strategic planning--5 year time horizon

    • Collate questions we want this process to answer

  • Define planning process

  • Define planning scenarios

Three phases: Foundational Assessment, Plan Development, Implementation

Preferred consultant

Important note: At this point, Evan would be a sole source contract, not subject to a bid process. As the strategic planning task force of the then complete board of three people, Dan and I were comfortable with that. If any new board member feels differently, or has another consultant to suggest, you should feel free. This is not a done deal until considered and approved by the full board, and Evan is fully aware of that. --Harry 12/17/2020


Evan Junker - Reach Our Goals (I have knowledge of his work at MDUUC and the UU Legislative Ministry of CA. The current board has approved this in principle. The full board will approve or reject this proposal at an upcoming meeting. --Harry 11/17/2020). Note also that Evan is featured in the video in the Strategic Planning Process video above.

Phase 1--Foundational Assessment

  • Stakeholder information and opinion gathering

    • Internal: Exec team, staff, clients, alumni, volunteers, Summit+, clergy, close-in funding agencies

    • External: Gov't agencies, partner orgs, potential partners, funding agencies

  • Tools:

    • SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats) Analysis

    • Brainstorming

    • Appreciative Inquiry

    • Surveys

    • 1-1 Interviews

SWOT Analysis (from Nolo Press: Create a Strategic Plan for Your Non-profit )

  • Strengths are positive assets within your organization. Examples might include a highly respected board member, a talented group of volunteers, or ownership of valuable intellectual property, such as a book or software.

  • Weaknesses are negative aspects within your organization. Examples might include a shortage of volunteers or outdated technology.

  • Opportunities are positive elements outside your organization. Examples might include a high demand for your services or availability of a grant in your topic area.

  • Threats are negative elements outside your organization. Examples might include a competing nonprofit or the demise of a major funder.

Read and contribute to Winter Nights Family Shelter SWOT brainstorming doc


Values

  • Values--What guides everything we do, and helps define who we are?

    1. Examples:

        1. Needs of client families come first in defining programs and activities

        2. We believe in keeping families together

        3. We provide tools and pathways for clients to attain sustainable housing. We don't do it for them.

  • Who are we? What is our style of operation?

  • What common qualities and characteristics pervade all our programs and activities?

  • How would stakeholders and partners describe us…and our relationships?

  • What big themes guide our decision-making?

Vision

  • Defines what we think we can grow into, and what it might look like if we're successful

  • What can we become?

  • What should we become?

Mission Statement

  • Mission Statement--describes what we do

  • About writing mission statements - blog post

  • Answers the questions: What do we do?Why do we do what we do? What problems are we aiming to solve? How do we do it? What might it look like if we're successful?

  • Should be attainable--not too broad to achieve in our lifetimes, but designed to encompass current and likely future programs.

  • Should be just long enough to describe our uniqueness, but short enough to be memorable

Questions answered in the Foundational Assessment phase

    • Who are we as an org? What defines us? What can we be?

    • How big is the problem we're trying to solve? Will it grow or shrink?

    • What are the forces- pos or neg - we will need to address?

    • Who is our target service audience? How is that group changing?

Phase 2--Plan Development

  • Goals that will address the issues identified in phase 1.

Tasks:

  • Revisit and collate Vision, Mission, Values

  • Needs assessment to realize vision

  • Include description of business model

  • Parse initiatives into programs, projects

  • Communications plan about strategic plan

  • Define monitoring process

  • Communicate strategic plan


Implementation

  • define how to get it done: projects, committees, metrics

  • Define Projects

  • Assign Task Forces/Committees Responsibilities

  • Set SMART (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, Time-bound) Goals and milestones

  • Determine how we will monitor progress against these goals


Strategic Plan Examples: