Strategic Goals...18 Months and Counting
As we enter June 2006, we now log the 18th month we all have been waiting for USGL to present its strategic goals. I am happy to say there is some "progress." In the latest Agape we read the following:
So far, our Strategic Planning Committee, established last year, has developed and issued a formal Program Synopsis and Mission Statement, has completed situational analysis, has developed a draft Vision Statement, and is in the process of developing a Statement of Principles and a list of Strategic Goals for the first three years of the next decade of U.S.G.L.
Keep in mind this is after 10 years of existence and 18 months of “working on Strategic Goals.” So what does this tell us? The situational analysis is complete; so they have an idea of what the problems are. They have “a draft Vision Statement.” This is great. All the discussion about Vision is now being implemented. So what’s left? “[T]he process of developing a Statement of Principles and a list of Strategic Goals”! They have been around 18 months and they still have only done the routine analysis?
Let’s not forget the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation, the guide USGL is using, clearly states:
The length of time to develop a strategic plan can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This guidebook recommends that planners proceed with planning at a fairly rapid pace; otherwise, momentum decreases and the process bogs down. A small- to medium-sized nonprofit might finish a strategic plan as few as 15-20 hours of meetings over a month-long period.
18 months and they are just completing the preliminary processes and have not even gotten to actually making the principle statement or goals list? Why is this taking so long? Back in September of 2004 I addressed these issues directly to sabazius_x, I was pointing these things out:
Your immediate goal should be a mission statement for US Grand Lodge. However, by-products of that process should result in a statement of principles, goals and a vision for USGL.
And after 18 months we have what? A issued mission statement and a draft vision statement? How much longer do we need to wait to get the whole thing? And what’s worse is that it is taking over a year and a half to get the plan for the next three years? Huh? It is going to take almost 2 years to develop a plan for the next 3 years? That is as efficient as driving to New York from Atlanta via Denver. Come on folks! How can anyone look at this “progress” and take the leadership seriously? Are these standards acceptable? From my point of view this is pathetic. How much longer do we need to wait? How much longer is it going to be before they actually release the vision and principles statement? How long until the strategic goals list? It has been 18 months a little progress has been made? How much longer are we going to have to wait? And why are the members so silent? Don’t they want a meaningful, purposeful, goal oriented organization? Or maybe their silence means they don’t? Is the leadership meeting your standards?
So far, our Strategic Planning Committee, established last year, has developed and issued a formal Program Synopsis and Mission Statement, has completed situational analysis, has developed a draft Vision Statement, and is in the process of developing a Statement of Principles and a list of Strategic Goals for the first three years of the next decade of U.S.G.L.
Keep in mind this is after 10 years of existence and 18 months of “working on Strategic Goals.” So what does this tell us? The situational analysis is complete; so they have an idea of what the problems are. They have “a draft Vision Statement.” This is great. All the discussion about Vision is now being implemented. So what’s left? “[T]he process of developing a Statement of Principles and a list of Strategic Goals”! They have been around 18 months and they still have only done the routine analysis?
Let’s not forget the Field Guide to Nonprofit Strategic Planning and Facilitation, the guide USGL is using, clearly states:
The length of time to develop a strategic plan can take anywhere from a few weeks to a few months. This guidebook recommends that planners proceed with planning at a fairly rapid pace; otherwise, momentum decreases and the process bogs down. A small- to medium-sized nonprofit might finish a strategic plan as few as 15-20 hours of meetings over a month-long period.
18 months and they are just completing the preliminary processes and have not even gotten to actually making the principle statement or goals list? Why is this taking so long? Back in September of 2004 I addressed these issues directly to sabazius_x, I was pointing these things out:
Your immediate goal should be a mission statement for US Grand Lodge. However, by-products of that process should result in a statement of principles, goals and a vision for USGL.
And after 18 months we have what? A issued mission statement and a draft vision statement? How much longer do we need to wait to get the whole thing? And what’s worse is that it is taking over a year and a half to get the plan for the next three years? Huh? It is going to take almost 2 years to develop a plan for the next 3 years? That is as efficient as driving to New York from Atlanta via Denver. Come on folks! How can anyone look at this “progress” and take the leadership seriously? Are these standards acceptable? From my point of view this is pathetic. How much longer do we need to wait? How much longer is it going to be before they actually release the vision and principles statement? How long until the strategic goals list? It has been 18 months a little progress has been made? How much longer are we going to have to wait? And why are the members so silent? Don’t they want a meaningful, purposeful, goal oriented organization? Or maybe their silence means they don’t? Is the leadership meeting your standards?