CASE STUDY
Becoming a trusted voice
Building on strong relationships with policy makers to become a trusted voice
Challenge
A local association has developed a strategic framework that was serving the organization well yet needed to refresh the details to adapt to current and emerging realities.
Solutions
Grace Social Sector Consulting interviewed the organization’s board and leadership staff, identifying organizational strengths, challenges as well as aspirations for the future. They also asked each interviewee to evaluate the strategic framework and address possible changes.
Scenario planning
During a two-day strategic planning retreat, we led board members and leadership staff through a process of scenario planning. The purpose of this was to help the group bring the perspective of multiple possible futures to setting goals for each of the major framework areas. Through the discussions, it became clear that modifications to the framework were necessary as one of the pillars was actually the overarching vision for the work within the plan. In addition, the organizational value of equity and diversity was integrated throughout each of the pillars.
Working with leadership staff, Grace Social Sector Consulting facilitated the staff’s development of goals, action steps and success indicators to build a robust and up to date 3-year plan.
Results
Through the process, the leadership identified that ‘transforming’ their industry was the overarching goal of the whole plan rather than just one element. The strategic pillars to advance public policy, develop the workforce, build healthy communities and achieve organizational excellence were all in the service of this transformation.
Becoming a go-to source for advice and information on the part of decision makers was a major goal for the organization. The organization already had strong relationships with policy decision makers. Yet further progress could be made when the organization and its members became a trusted voice and first source of information and consultation.
