Strategic Planning

Introduction

In late 2012, Free Geek's board created a strategic planning committee (known as StratComm). The committee meets twice per month and is involved in a long-term discussion about Free Geek's future. Tentatively, the process will move forward in four stages, each roughly coinciding with a quarter of the year:

1. Evaluation of the current situation at Free Geek (1st quarter)
2. Visioning of the future of Free Geek, 3-5 years out (2nd quarter)
3. Planning (3rd quarter)
4. Execution of strategy (4th quarter)

Currently we are in the second phase in which we will hold discussions and consider Free Geek's vision of the future.

Free Geek Today: Assessing Free Geek's Current Situation

In order to assess Free Geek, the Strategic Planning Committee used several tools: Sustainability Bubble Charts and a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) Analysis. The final reports based on the data collected using these tools and some more information about each tool is below. After these reports were shared with Free Geek staff, a survey to collect their comments, ideas and reflections on the Bubble Charts and SWOT Analysis was sent out. The results are listed below.

Planning Tools

Assessment tools for our current situation:

Sustainability Bubble Charts

One tool we use helps us assess a dual bottom line. This tool lets us visually review our program activities by weighing both financial success and mission impact. The process is spelled out in the book Nonprofit Sustainability and uses a bubble chart to show cost, net income (or net loss), and mission impact.

• Bubble Chart Document

The changes in the sucesses and impact over time was also charted.

• Sustainability Bubble Charts 2008-2012

SWOT

This classic tool helps us see our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats side by side.

• Introduction to SWOT Chart
• SWOT Chart

We also conducted a SWOT excersize as our first Town Hall Meeting

• SWOT brainstorm from our first Town Hall Meeting

Free Geek Staff Survey

The board presented the collected data from the Sustainability Charts and the SWOT Analysis to Free Geek Staff who were surveyed for comments and further refelctions on Free Geek's current situation.

• Free Geek Staff Survey Results

Free Geek Tomorrow

During the Visioning phase of strategic planning process the committee will be using the assessment tools to envision Free Geek's future and generate planning documents to support and strengthen that vision. At this time the committee is brainstorming this vision.

To help in this process the committe is reviewing and incoporating data from the Volunteer Motivation Surevy and a summary of volunteer feedback from the Town Hall Meeting which was held during the Volunteer Appreciation Barbecu on August 17, 2012.

Volunteer Motivation Survey=

• Volunteer Motivation Survey

Summary of Volunteer Feedback at the Town Hall Meeting

• Summary of Volunteer Feedback

All Documents

Reference Documents about the Strategic Planning Process

• Operational vs. Strategic Issues
• Strategy Change Cycle
• Strategy Planning Overview

Assement Documents

• Introduction to SWOT Chart
• SWOT Chart
• Sustainability Bubble Charts 2008-2012
• SWOT brainstorm from our first Town Hall Meeting

Committee Members

• Mark Ralston, Board, (Committee chairperson)
• Ashley Sue Masoomian, Bargaining Unit
• John Ashcraft, Bargaining Unit
• Richard Seymour, Senior Management Team
• Cynthia Prevatte, Senior Management Team
• Darren Heiber, Senior Management Team
• Dina Dickerson, Board

Past Members

• Michael Kelly, Volunteer, Bargaining Unit, Management
• Kyle Kasner, Volunteer, Bargaining Unit
• Mary Meier, Volunteer

Contact the Committee via e-mail - strategyATfreegeekDOTorg.

Bulletins

• December 12, 2012
• January 26, 2013
• February 9, 2013
• March 9, 2013
• May 12, 2012
• September 19, 2012

Meetings

StratComm Meetings happen in the Meeting Room on the 2nd and 4th Tuesdays from 4:30-6:00.