By Nick Koerbin
Have we completed our Annual General Meeting?
Have we inducted our new Board members? So what is next?
Heading into a new financial/year, the Board should now be scheduling some time to review your strategic plan?
As an association leader, you probably have a strategic plan for your organisation. But have you fully articulated why this plan is
important? And have you done all of the necessary work to properly develop one?
A comprehensive strategic plan is key to your association’s ability to thrive and grow in a competitive, complex landscape. A strategic
plan's purpose is to create an association's direction. Without this sense of direction, it is easy for an association to fall into the trap
of simply moving from one “priority” task to the next, without any sense of how this activity is contributing to a greater goal.
There are four key reasons why a strategic plan is vital for an association.
1. Outlines a roadmap towards success. No business can achieve great things without having a plan in place to
reach these outcomes.
2. Adds clarity and focus. It assists in ensuring that you target key actions and priorities, without getting
distracted by other things.
3. Builds awareness of strengths and weaknesses. Taking the time to consider what has worked well before, and
what hasn’t, is important for any organisation.
4. Creates a sense of purpose and unity. It shows everyone – from the President to the volunteers – what you
are striving for and the role that each individual can play.
For over seven years during the 1990s, I was involved with the Total Quality Management Institute, formed by leaders of some of Australia's major corporations.
There are many challenges that associations face when generating membership growth, particularly when competing with organisations providing services similar to your potential membership base. Here are some tips worth considering that have worked for our clients.
Most Associations and NFP organisations rely on their members to govern their organisation. Many appointed to the Board have limited knowledge or training, so high-performing associations ensure their new Board members are fully inducted before attending their first Board meeting.
