November 19, 2013 at 9:00 AM - SAA Weekly Meeting

SCHUYLER COMMUNITY SCHOOLS

STRATEGIC PLANNING MEETING

“Failing organizations don’t plan to fail, they fail to plan”

Ideally, an action plan should be developed within the first six months to one year of the start of an organization. It is developed after you have determined the vision, mission, objectives, and strategies of your group. If you develop an action plan when you are ready to start getting things done, it will give you a blueprint for running your organization or initiative.

Remember, though, that an action plan is always a work in progress. It is not something you can write, lock in your file drawers, and forget about. Keep it visible. Display it prominently. As your organization changes and grows, you will want to continually (usually monthly) revise your action plan to fit the changing needs of your group and community.  Below is an outline of the vocabulary used in our strategic planning process. 

VISION:    Strive ~ Commit ~ Succeed     An organization’s vision a unifying statement that clearly articulates their purpose, values, and expectations, and inspires employees to do their best.

MISSION:  Schuyler Community Schools, in partnership with parents, students, and the community is committed to educate students to become skilled, knowledgeable, and responsible citizens in a global society.

The mission statement is a description of an organization’s core purpose, focus, and target population.  It is a succinct statement that describes the organization and what it does or will do, for whom, and why. 

GOALS:  (WHAT)

Goal statements are, by definition, statements that define “what” an organization is trying to accomplish both programmatically and organizationally.  Goals are usually broad and more general than an objective or an outcome.  The goal is larger than the program and may result from the cumulative effect of many programs’ outcomes

TARGETS:   (WHAT)

Targets are by definition, statements that define “what” a program is trying to accomplish both programmatically and organizationally.  Targets are more defined goals specific to a program and/or building level. 

BELIEF STATEMENTS:  (WHY)

Belief statements provide rationale and relevance to identified goals and targets.  Belief statements also prioritize the organizations commitment to the identified goal or target.

OBJECTIVES (Smart Goals)

Objectives establish the standards of achievement in relation to the identified goals and targets.  Objectives are SMART(specific, measurable, audience or issue directed, realistic and ambitious, and time-bound.)  Smart goals or objectives are the measuring stick to assess progress on expected change as a result of the program or project. 

STRATEGIES:  (HOW)

Strategies are a brainstorm of possible methods or plans to bring about a desired future, such as achievement of a goal or solution to a problem.  The art and science of planning defines strategies as a possible solution to move an organization closer to its desired goal.  Strategies outline a variety of possible solutions and your action plan is how you will do it.

ACTION PLANS (HOW)

An action plan is a way to make sure your organization’s vision is made concrete.  It describes the way your group or organization will use its strategies to meet its objective.  Action plans must include what actions will occur, who will carry out these changes, by when they will take place and for how long, what resources are needed, and who should know what?