Strategic planning

Here is a message from President Barb Holtz for those involved in strategic planning.  

Happy New Year,

Just reminder that our first strategic planning session is fast approaching - January 16 from 6 - 8 p.m.

Our meeting location is Faith United Church of Christ at 575 Richmond Rd. Richmond Hts. 44143

The church is just north of Richmond Mall (specifically, Sears) on the same side of the road. There is a lit sign in front but the church sits back from the road somewhat. There are two entrances. Come in the lower door (white on same level as parking lot). We'll see how the space works. If it's too cramped, I'll figure out a new location.

I believe I shared Tom's agenda with you previously but here it is again (see below).

From: Tom Romito 

Here is an agenda for the first strategic planning session for FOEC.  You can share it with your team so they know what's going to happen at the January 16 session.

1. Decide on about five ground rules for managing our behavior and method of working together.
2. Determine what the goal of FOEC is or should be.  This is not the mission and not the vision, but a brief, one-sentence overarching statement of the organization's goal.
3. Brainstorm the main issues or barriers (ten or so) standing in the way of keeping FOEC from achieving its goal.  This step may lend itself to using breakout groups.
4. Work on a mission statement for the organization.
5. Begin working on a vision statement if we have time.
6. Lay out the process for the January 23 meeting.

Update from January 23 meeting 


Here are the notes from Tom concerning our Create a Vision Statement for FOEC exercise.

In an ideal world, how would FOEC function as an organization?

• FOEC would be the sought-after (“go-to”) group for advocacy of the Euclid Creek watershed.
• FOEC would have excellent internal and external lines of communication (cooperation and clear communications) with members and stakeholders.
• All FOEC members would be active, diverse, representative of all communities, and willing to participate.
• FOEC would have strong outreach programs.
• All FOEC projects would be adequately funded.
• There would be a permanent FOEC presence in the watershed (office location and professional staff).

How would FOEC change Euclid Creek if you could function at level described above?

• Euclid Creek would be pollution-free.
• We would create a natural habitat.
• Euclid Creek would run through all the communities in the watershed.
• Stakeholders in the community would make the health of the watershed its top priority.

What values guide FOEC members’ interactions with each other and with stakeholders?

• We aspire to a high quality of life by living in the Euclid Creek watershed.
• We are working for the benefit of future generations in the Euclid Creek watershed.
• We experience spiritual rejuvenation by advocating for health in the Euclid Creek watershed.
• We value the Euclid Creek watershed for what it is.
• We are partners with the Euclid Creek watershed itself.
• We want people to become FOEC members, help them to do so, and mentor them once they are.

Write a compelling vision statement that incorporates all of the above components.

Brainstorming of ideas for the vision statement:

• FOEC helps people become aware of the need for a healthy watershed.
• FOEC promotes optimal quality of life for present and future generations.
• FOEC communicates its passion for the Euclid Creek watershed to its stakeholders.
• FOEC thinks globally and while acting locally, cognizant of the impact of our actions on the environment world-wide.
• FOEC motivates landowners to change their behaviors toward the Euclid Creek watershed.
• FOEC is the voice of the Euclid Creek watershed.

Statement of the vision of FOEC:

FOEC is the voice for a healthy and beautiful Euclid Creek watershed.