Strategic planning for nonprofit organizations

It is the role and responsibility of the Board of Directors to provide identity (Vision, Mission and Values) and direction (goals, objectives, strategies) for you nonprofit. However, the strategic planning process should involve staff and stakeholders to ensure buy-in and continuing support for your nonprofit.

VISIONING

PYM launches your strategic planning process with a Vision Session using the World Café model. This model is the most effective model for drawing on the collective insight and wisdom of your group.

Here is what the World Café folks say about this process:

"Conversational leadership takes root when leaders see their organizations as dynamic webs of conversation and consider conversation as a core process for effecting positive systemic change. Taking a strategic approach to this core process can not only grow intellectual and social capital, but also provide a collaborative advantage in our increasingly networked world.”

The World Café model utilizes a graphic recorder. “A Graphic Recorder captures ideas and information as they are being expressed on large pieces of wall-hung paper…. The graphic recorder listens for and captures the essence of ideas and information….. The recorder is often organizing ideas and information on the spot in ways that help people see patterns and relationships."

PYM is honored that Dale Whistler, artist and graphic recorder extraordinaire, is part of the Power Your Mission team. See Dale’s bio here: DALE

PLANNING

The Power Your Mission method of strategic planning recognizes that your time is limited, and that change occurs quickly. Our method also recognizes your history and wisdom and believes that your contribution to the process provides significant value. Our system allows your experience, wisdom and knowledge to guide us to an adaptive management strategic plan.

PYM will help ensure that you are planning for Impact, delivering on your Impact, measuring your impact and communicating your Impact. PYM incorporates mechanisms to ensure that your organization stays current and adaptive.

Our system: 

• Gives you and your colleagues permission to stop doing things out of habit or tradition, and become more intentional

• Allows you to monitor progress and assess results and impacts

• Facilitates new program development if appropriate

• Provides clear focus for leadership 

• Aligns internal resources

• Build teams and bridges between teams

• Clarifies roles, solves problems

• Improves credibility with stakeholders

• Makes sure everyone in your organization is focused on the same priorities

• Increases morale because employees see a clear vision for future and understand their importance to that future