Long range planning

Posted by Stephen Rhodes 
 
Last week  club members were involved in developing a broad range of service avenues as part of the club's long-range planning process. The exercise is part of the club's strategic planning process that is intended to set direction over the next three years.

Long-range planning is a living management tool that:

  •  Provides long-term direction
  •  Builds a shared vision
  •  Sets goals and objectives
  •  Optimizes use of resources

Long-range plans are needed because the tradition of annual cycles are not effective, there is a need for greater consistency, continuity and efficiency and they establish a multi-year coordinated approach.

A team of club members has been working on a plan for a number of months. They said our focus needs to be centered around improving the community, improving the world and providing personal growth for Rotarians. They have identified six strategic issues where action is required including:

  1. Membership
  2. Avenues of service
  3. Foundation
  4. Education & Leadership Development
  5. Public Relations
  6. Asset management

How they dovetail with Rotary's Four Avenues of Service

Club Service            (Membership, Leadership, Foundation, PR, Asset M)
Community Service    (Membership, Service, Education & Leadership, PR, Asset M)
Vocational Service     (Membership, Service, Education & Leadership, PR, Asset M)
International Service   (Membership, Service, Foundation, Education & Leadership, PR, Asset M)

On Monday last the club explored Avenues of Service in broad strokes and identified In

  • Youth and Children at risk
  • Literacy and numeracy
  • Poverty, hunger and water
  • The disabled
  • Preserve Planet Earth

Part of the ongoing exercise is to look at these broad areas of service and measure them against what we are currently doing and what might be possible in the future at both the community and international levels to provide greater focus for club service. We will continue to consult with members using short surveys to refine our goals and objectives over the next month.