Where are We Going? (Strategic Planning) Western Canada Region Leadership Retreat August 21, 2010

What is a Strategic Plan? “A goal without a plan is just a wish.” Antoine de Saint-Exupery

What is a Strategic Plan? 1.Simple 2.Written Down 3.Clear

Why have a Strategic Plan? Look at your current state of affairs Identify exactly what is to be achieved Detail the who, what, when, where, why and how of achieving goals Assess the impact of the plan on your Club, Region, Federation, and on the outside world Evaluate if the effort, costs and implications are worth it Serve as a guide and helps to keep us on course

How do we do this? What do we have? What do we want? How will we get it?

1. Involve the right people in the planning process 2. Write down the plan and communicate it 3. Delete the fluff 4. Hold regular strategy meetings 5. Note deviations from the plan and re-plan accordingly 6. Celebrate your success Keys to Successful Planning & Implementation

SWOT S trengths W eaknesses O pportunities T hreats

S trengths What advantages does Soroptimist have? What do we do better than anyone else? What do people see as our strengths? Why would someone want to be part of or contribute to Soroptimist?

W eaknesses What could we improve? What should we avoid? What are people likely to see as our weakness? Why would someone not want to be part of or contribute to Soroptimist?

O pportunities Where are the good opportunities facing you? What are the interesting trends you are aware of? Useful opportunities can come from such things as: Changes in technology. Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes. Local events.

T hreats What obstacles do we face? What are other groups doing that we should be worried about? What is happening in our community/world that might affect our club? Could any of your weaknesses seriously threaten your club?

Vision The high, long view of how the world would be different and better for members, the club, region, and federation. Mission Describes the contributions of the organization to achievement of the vision in a precise, concise, and inspiring declaration of the fundamental purpose or which the organization exists. Goals (Outcomes) Goals are timeless, unbounded statements that describe the conditions or attributes to be attained. Basic Terms

Objectives Specific accomplishments that must be accomplished in total, or in some combination, to achieve the goals in the plan. Objectives are usually "milestones" that can be measured along the way when implementing the strategies. Strategies How the club will organize and focus its resources and actions to maximize effectiveness and efficiency in achieving objectives. The overall plan. Tactics The tasks required to implement the plan. The actual means used to gain an objective, the specific actions to be taken. Basic Terms

Let the Strategic Planning Begin!

Vision: Be the leading international organization of business and professional women united through volunteer efforts to enable women and girls to live their dreams, take control of their lives, and live according to their own values. Mission: To improve the lives of women and girls in local communities and throughout the world. Core Values: SIA committed to: the belief that all women deserve to lead full and productive lives women helping women international diversity and fellowship Club Strategic Plan Template

Strategic Outcomes: Program – enable women and girls to achieve social and economic empowerment. Membership – be a thriving organization of clubs and members committed to the mission. Public Awareness –known for efforts to help women & girls achieve social & economic empowerment. Fundraising – funds available to support local projects, SIA programs and SI projects. Mission Support – provide support and a sound infrastructure, and fulfilling our obligations to the region, federation and SI. Club Strategic Plan Template

Brainstorm Your Strategic Plan!

A failure to PLAN becomes a PLAN to fail!

THANK YOU! Nicole Simmons Membership Director