OFWC Long Range Plan

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GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs

Strategic Long Range Plan

Adopted at Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs

Annual Convention, April 22, 2006

The General Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC) is an international women's organization dedicated to community improvement by enhancing the lives of others through volunteer service. The GFWC/Ohio Federation of Women's Clubs (GFWC/Ohio) is a member of GFWC. The Purpose of GFWC/Ohio is to bring into closer relation with one another the women's clubs of the state in order to promote through their common interest the general welfare of the state and to afford facilities for the helpful interchange of ideas and club methods.

Executive Summary

GFWC's mission statement reflects a unifying vision for the organization and clearly states the purpose and scope of our endeavors. The GFWC/Ohio Long Range Planning Committee (composed of past, present and future members of the general and junior Boards of Directors appointed by the GFWC/Ohio President) is responsible for strategic planning for our state organization.

A strategic plan is a working document that guides and strengthens the activities of an organization. Goals and the strategies designed to achieve them enable the organization to plan effectively for the future.

This Strategic Plan identifies major issues facing the Federation (not in any order of priority). It is organized with clear goal statements within each issue, objectives that support the goals, specific action plans for achieving each objective and timelines for charting our progress.

Focusing on these main issues and the achievement of the goals and objectives will guide GFWC/Ohio toward realizing its vision of providing its members opportunities to: serve their communities effectively through organized activities, develop leadership skills, participate in continued learning and enrichment, and cultivate lasting friendships.

Statement of Responsibility

It is the responsibility of every member of GFWC/Ohio to support and promote the goals and objectives as stated in the Strategic Plan.
The Executive Committee oversees the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
The Long Range Planning Committee reviews and refines the Plan on a regular basis.
The Board of Directors approves, actively promotes and participates in the implementation of the Strategic Plan.
State and District Officers disseminate information relevant to the achievement of the goals and objectives set forth in the Plan.
State and District Chairmen and committee members actively work to achieve the goals and objectives relevant to their program area.
State and District Officers/Chairmen design activities and materials that help to carry out the goals and objectives of the Plan.
Clubs learn about and participate in activities that further the goals and objectives of the Plan through attendance at meetings and reading state, district and national materials.

ISSUE: MEMBERSHIP

A. Goal: Stability

A. I. Objective: Maintain a stable, sound membership base of per capita clubs.

Action Plan:

Define and clearly communicate the duties of state and district membership chairmen.
Direct materials and information to the club level as the critical link in connecting clubs to GFWC/Ohio.
Expand materials dealing with retention of members and clubs.
Direct the Membership Committee to work closely (communicate and/or meet) with club counterparts on a regular basis.
Membership Issues shall be the topic of at least one GFWC/Ohio convention workshop each year.

Timeline: 2005

A.2. Objective: Monitor and evaluate the retention of individual members and per capita clubs.

Action Plan:

Program database to track retention of clubs.
Enlist district membership chairmen as first line of defense in monitoring stability of clubs.

Timeline: 2006

A.3. Objective: Improve and promote the benefits of belonging to GFWC/Ohio for clubs and individual members.

Action Plan:

Use the copyright symbol on all GFWC/Ohio materials.
Acknowledge GFWC and/or GFWC/Ohio when utilizing materials originated by GFWC and or GFWC/Ohio.
Use e-GFWC/Ohio messages to promote and "advertise" GFWC/Ohio materials.
Continue to secure exhibit space for GFWC/Ohio at every district conference and state convention where GFWC and GFWC/Ohio materials, resources and benefits of membership can be promoted.
Emphasize benefit of the "Federation network" by increasing exchange of success stories (i.e. programs, PR, membership, fundraising etc.) through GFWC/Ohio publications and meetings.

Timeline: 2008

B. Goal: Identity

B.1. Objective: Establish regular communication between GFWC/Ohio and individual members.

Action Plan:

Issue The Buckeye Magazine four times per year to all members.
Develop a guideline for contents of The Buckeye Magazine which includes a schedule of submissions.
Develop a guideline for contents of the GFWC/Ohio Website which includes a schedule of submissions.
Develop an e-GFWC/Ohio program.
Develop guidelines for communication between district/state chairmen/officers and clubs/members.
Develop a GFWC/Ohio Dictionary (explanation of abbreviations, etc.)

Timeline: 2007

B.2. Objective: Federate a minimum of 2 new clubs a year.

Action Plan:

Promote use of GFWC materials as guidelines.
Develop a GFWC/Ohio Mentor program for use as resources and as a membership expansion team.
Recognize new clubs in The Buckeye Magazine, on the GFWC/Ohio Website and at state and district meetings, including information on who formed the club and how.

Timeline: 2007

C. Goal: Diversity

C I. Objective: Actively partner with other state and national organizations to extend GFWC/Ohio's reach and presence.

Action Plan:

Schedule joint programs and/or meetings between GFWC and other state and national organizations.
Develop specific program(s) in conjunction with other state and national organizations, sharing materials, resources, encouraging local members to work together to achieve goals of program(s).
Exhibit GFWC at other state and national organizations' local and/or state conventions.
Continue to invite/include representatives from other state and national organizations in GFWC/Ohio's activities (i.e. forums, receptions etc.).
Build coalitions in local communities between GFWC clubs and local entities of other national organizations on issues relevant to both (i.e. women's health, children's issues, etc.)

Timeline: 2008

C.2. Objective: Create membership opportunities in areas where GFWC/Ohio is currently not represented.

Action Plan:

Promote the use of programs to introduce and stimulate interest in GFWC/Ohio (i.e., initiate Libraries 2000 and Beyond project in a school; invite parents to become involved; encourage parents to join clubs and/or form a new club).
Along with local clubs and the GFWC/Ohio Membership Committee, the GFWC/Ohio Mentors shall actively work to expand GFWC/Ohio into underserved areas of the state.

Timeline: 2007

C.3. Objective: Expand membership outreach by encouraging clubs to be all-inclusive in their programs, activities, and recruitment efforts.

Action Plan:

Promote and encourage the benefits of diversity through articles in The Buckeye Magazine and on the GFWC/Ohio Website and presentations at state, district and club meetings.
Develop "diversity in membership" materials that can be introduced at GFWC/Ohio meetings with adaptation for local and district level.
Target specific areas of the population (i.e. younger women) for recruitment and retention.

Timeline: 2007

ISSUE: LEADERSHIP

A. Goal: Inform/Educate

A.I. Objective: Promote and utilize the GFWC/Ohio LEADS program to identify, encourage and train future GFWC/Ohio leaders.

Action Plan:

Promote benefits of skill building (including personal growth and development) by securing exhibit space at district conferences and state conventions.
Publish articles defining and promoting the LEADS program in The Buckeye Magazine and on the GFWC/Ohio Website. Supply copies for use in district publications.
Continue development of the Ohio/LEADS program, expanding to district and local leadership.

Timeline: 2006

A.2. Objective: Continue to develop comprehensive leadership materials for all levels of GFWC/Ohio.

Action Plan:

Use GFWC materials to provide ongoing leadership training.
Create a regular column in The Buckeye Magazine to address various aspects of leadership (i.e. conflict resolution, relationship building).
Develop leadership materials to be available on the GFWC/Ohio website.
Utilize and distribute leadership materials for workshop presentations at all GFWC/Ohio levels.
Develop materials explaining duties of officers and chairmen.

Timeline: 2006

A.3. Objective: Inform members of the process for GFWC/Ohio nominations and elections for GFWC/Ohio Office.

Action Plan:

Produce an annual article for The Buckeye Magazine explaining the GFWC/Ohio nomination and election process and encouraging members to seek a GFWC/Ohio Office.
The annual article shall highlight the responsibilities of those serving in an elected position and shall include information regarding available financial support for GFWC/Ohio elected positions.

Timeline: 2005

B. Goal: Motivate/Inspire

B.I. Objective: Develop, Promote and utilize a GFWC/Ohio Mentors program

Action Plan:

GFWC/Ohio Mentors, a team of consultants, shall provide advice, council and assistance.
Promote the value of the GFWC/Ohio Mentor program by securing exhibit space at every district conference and state convention.
Produce an annual article in The Buckeye Magazine introducing the new Mentors with interim articles promoting its use.

Timeline: 2007

B.2. Objective: Provide leadership training at all levels of GFWC/Ohio. The training shall include: conflict resolution, developing interpersonal and public speaking skills, and relationship building.

Action Plan:

Leadership issues shall be the topic of at least one GFWC/Ohio Convention workshops each year.
Direct the Leadership Committee to work closely (communicate and/or meet) with club counterparts on a regular basis.

Timeline: 2005

B.3. Objective: Develop a recognition model for outstanding leadership contributions at club and district level.

Action Plan:

Outline leadership criteria for evaluation and recognition of leaders

Timeline: 2006

ISSUE: PUBLIC RELATIONS

A. Goal: Create awareness and emphasize the value of belonging to GFWC/Ohio.

A.I. Objective: Encourage "GFWC" in every club name.

Action Plan:

Produce articles in The Buckeye Magazine regarding the value of including "GFWC" in club name and providing district/club leaders with information on the importance of and how to change club name.
Recognize clubs who change their name to include "GFWC."

Timeline: 2006

A.2. Objective: Instruct all members in the consistent and proper use of the GFWC and GFWC/Ohio emblems and slogans

Action Plan:

Prepare camera-ready and downloadable copies of the emblems and slogans and include detailed information on how to use them.
Provide templates of GFWC/Ohio letterhead and envelopes on the GFWC/Ohio website and/or on disc for state, district or club use, a portion of the template to be customized to include specific state, district or club information.
Create and provide "inserts" for GFWC/Ohio organizational brochures that can be easily customized for state, district or club use.
Use the copyright symbol on all GFWC and/or GFWC/Ohio created materials and emphasize importance of giving credit when using materials.

Timeline: 2006

A.3. Objective: GFWC/Ohio meetings shall include public relations training.

Action Plan:

A public relations training session shall be the topic of at least one GFWC/Ohio convention workshop per year, enabling presidents and chairmen to design and develop their programs and projects with outreach in mind.
Produce articles in The Buckeye Magazine and on the GFWC/Ohio website on public relations, featuring tips, techniques, success stories, etc.
Include information on GFWC/Ohio's history as a tool in public relations training. Provide materials regarding GFWC/Ohio's history and how best to communicate it.
Direct the Public Relations committee to work closely (communicate and/or meet) with club counterparts on a regular basis.
Promote materials and membership in the Women's History and Resource Center (WHRC).

Timeline: 2006

B. Goal: Create awareness of GFWC/Ohio as an organization of volunteers.

B. I. Objective: Encourage clubs to promote GFWC and GFWC/Ohio through the use of road signs, wearing apparel, brochures and other emblematic items.

Action Plan:

Encourage club members to wear Federation-oriented emblematic apparel or identification items whenever conducting a service project (either group or individual).
Make GFWC and GFWC/Ohio emblematic merchandise readily available to members.
Continue to secure exhibit space for GFWC/Ohio at every district conference and state convention where GFWC and GFWC/Ohio materials, resources and benefits of belonging can be promoted.

Timeline: 2005

B.2. Objective: Initiate state-wide events and/or activities designed to garner public relations.

Action Plan:

Continue the GFWC/Ohio Day of Service connected with annual GFWC/Ohio Conventions.
Develop a visibility campaign to promote GFWC/Ohio and its members to the public.
Promote Volunteer Week Activities.
Encourage clubs to promote Federation Day and GFWC/Ohio's Birthday.

Timeline: 2005

B.3. Objective: Bolster knowledge of GFWC and GFWC/Ohio's rich history as a means to enhance our public relations efforts thereby increasing awareness of the organization.

Action Plan:

Encourage clubs to learn about the history of their club, state and national history through history workshops at state, district and club meetings.

Timeline: 2005

ISSUE: PROGRAMS, PROJECTS, ACTIVITIES

A. Goal: Streamline

A. I. Objective: Update and strengthen programs.

Action Plan:

Seek programs of interest to clubwomen.
Eliminate overlaps in programs.
Develop process for input of individual clubs/members for State Project.
Develop process for input of individual clubs/members for projects/programs.
Encourage continuity between administrations (i.e. notebooks from chairman to chairman.)

Timeline: 2008

A.2. Objective: Improve reporting process

Action Plan:

Change GFWC/Ohio Report Form as needed to make it easier for local clubs to report.
Make clubs/officers/chairmen aware of any changes in requirements of GFWC for reporting (i.e. reporting directly to GFWC, on-line reporting, etc.)
Encourage consistency in GFWC/Ohio Report Form(s), procedures and guidelines from administration to administration.

Timeline: 2006

B. Goal: Reward/Recognition

B.I. Objective: Improve award structure.

Action Plan:

Investigate the award and recognition process to streamline but still allow for celebration/recognition.
Recognize achievements of clubs/members in The Buckeye Magazine, on the GFWC/Ohio Website and at state and district meetings.

Timeline: 2008

ISSUE: FINANCES

A. Goal: Financial Stability

A. I. Objective: Maintain a level of income that ensures:

Current member benefits are continued
Additional member benefits are attainable.
Short and long term needs of the organization are met.

Action Plan:

Develop a plan for the next dues increase.
Reinforce a planned giving program.
Develop a financial plan with long-term objectives.
Investigate Fund-raising efforts by GFWC/Ohio to meet the needs of the organization and its members.

Timeline: 2007