Developing a Strategic Plan
March 1, 2002
Q. We're wanting to get a long-range planning team and process in place for our church. Can anyone share whatever has worked well for you in terms of how you set up your team, choose people to be on it, and what steps your team took to undertake planning?
A. I've chaired the Long-Range Planning Committee at our church of 480 members and have several suggestions, says Linda Ropes, at Jefferson Unitarian Church in Golden, CO.
First, don't reinvent the wheel. Do some research in your archives and see what surveys, annual reports, or other materials can give you a historical perspective.
Second, be sure the people on your team have been in leadership positions so they are savvy about what is going on. Invite several past presidents to join you, or at least recent board members. Conduct a survey to find out what people are hoping for in the future of the congregation. It doesn't work to project a plan if it doesn't fit their needs and hopes. Get help from someone who knows how to write surveys so your questions are clear and give you the information you want.
Hold focus groups to discuss the survey results and see if the feedback matches the results. Finally, make sure your results are used by the next round of leaders. It can be disappointing to go to all that work and have your plan sit on a shelf somewhere.
For more information contact interconnections @ uua.org.
Last updated on Friday, April 18, 2008.
