Strategic Planning Long Range Draft

What does it mean to you?The Long Range Planning Committee (LRPC) previously appointed in 2007-2008 came together with the ultimate goal of presenting a 3-5 year strategic plan to you for BPW/Ohio. Progress was made last year in the form of Google Talk meetings by the committee, the preparation of a survey, the compilation of the survey results and the presentment of those results to the membership body at conference 2008.

During the process last year, the LRPC outlined the 4 areas that need the most immediate attention of the members and should be addressed by any plan that is developed. They are TIME: Technology, Image, Money and Evolution. For example, are we using technology to its fullest; should we be doing webinars; should the website be revamped; etc. For example, is our image streamlined; is it consistent; do we want it to be; etc. For example, what about dues increases; how do we budget effectively given the loss of membership dues; what about our rainy day funds; etc. Lastly, how do we evolve to make the organization stronger; etc. One of the members summarized the desire and need to evolve as follows, “I think that the current state (of the organization) is an opportunity wrapped in a problem. All successful organizations re-invent themselves, and we will, too. I just want to emphasize the opportunity to re-envision and re-work how we do what we do. The real risk is in doing nothing different.”

The Committee is dedicated to the principle that this is the members’ organization to tweak and change. It is not the agenda of any one comm’ee person in particular. The Comm’ee wants the input of as many, if not all, of the members who are willing to contribute. No definite plans have been formed. No agendas have been set other than an outline of when and how the plan will be drafted and presented.