Strategic Planning
In March 2008, FST launched a new strategic planning process with a forum focused on creating a shared understanding of the environment within which the organization works. Three panels addressed how the city is changing, how services are responding and the best role for city-wide organizations. The day finished with a presentation on how to thrive in challenging times.
Between the panel discussions, the 112 community partners, staff and board members in attendance generated a total of 405 opportunities for FST, based on ideas from the presentations. Formal evaluation results and verbal feedback about the day were very positive; 98% of participants indicated they had a better understanding of what is happening in Toronto as a result of attending the forum and 99% indicated they believed the ideas presented at the forum would provide a solid foundation for FST to discuss strategic directions.
The next innovative step and a vital piece of the strategic planning process was the use of Appreciative Inquiry (AI) methodology, which identifies what is working well and builds upon these strengths. AI provides an opportunity to envision the future. Twentytwo board members and staff from across the organization were given an orientation to AI and how it can be used to gather input from a variety of stakeholders. These people then interviewed clients, community partners, other staff and board members. In total, 89 people were interviewed and their feedback informed a second meeting to identify themes from the interviews.
The second forum in April 2008 provided 104 community partners, board and staff members with the opportunity to reflect on what had been learned so far in the strategic planning process. Groups met to develop the themes emerging from the planning process and considered the potential for FST to move forward on each theme. A vote by “dotmocracy” was held to prioritize themes people believed were most critical for FST.
Work is now underway to refine the strategic directions that will guide the organization with confidence and purpose over the next three years. Opportunities for stakeholder input on these directions will be created over the late spring and summer, with final directions approved by the board in the fall of 2008.
Appreciative Inquiry in a Nutshell
To appreciate means to value – to understand those things of value and worth valuing. To inquire means to study, to ask questions, to search.
Appreciative inquiry (AI) is therefore a collaborative
search to identify and understand an organization’s strengths, its potentials,
its greatest opportunities, and people’s hopes for the future.
*Sue Derby & Maureen McKenna, SuMo Experience
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