Iowa Chapter Strategic Planning Session


Saturday, June 28, 2003

1. Introductions and Overview 9:00am - 9:30am

a. Overview of the planning session; post-session work
b. The Four Habits of Highly Successful Chapters

Approach Conservation Work Strategically
Work Together as Club Leaders
Involve People in Activities
Reach out to Communicate the Ideals and Vision of the Club

c. Review of Iowa Activist Survey
d. Ground rules for the planning session


2. Identifying Strengths and Weaknesses 9:30am - 10:30am

Each participant will offer 3 strengths and 3 weaknesses of the Iowa Chapter

Record on flip charts


BREAK 10:30am - 10:45am


3. Identifying Opportunities 10:45am - 12:15pm

A group brainstorming exercise centered on the four habits:

a. What are our best opportunities to achieve environmental gains for Iowa over the next few years?

b. What opportunities do we have as Club leaders & activists to work together more effectively?

c. How can we create more opportunities for people to participate in Sierra Club activities?

d. What opportunities do we have to get our message out farther into the community and reach out to new people and constituencies?

Record on flip charts

LUNCH BREAK 12:15pm - 1:15pm


4. Choosing Priorities 1:15pm - 3:15pm

Participants select the Chapter's most important opportunities in each category, then decide on the priorities that will be incorporated into the Chapter Strategic Plan, through two rounds of voting.


BREAK 3:15pm - 3:30pm


5. Developing Action Plans 3:30pm - 5:00pm

Developing goals and "next steps" to move from the priorities chosen to action steps.  Participants will be divided into four groups, one for each "habit".

Group A: Set goals for the environment
Group B: Set goals for working together
Group C: Set goals for involving people
Group D: Set goals for reaching out

Each group will set goals and objectives for their assigned priorities and develop an action plan to achieve these goals and objectives, answering the following questions:

a. What are the next steps, and when do we need to take them?
b. What are the resources needed, and where might they come from?
c. Who will take responsibility for seeing that these next steps occur?


Sunday, June 29, 2003


6. Finalizing Action Plans 9:00am - 10:30am


BREAK 10:30am - 10:45am


7. Small Group Presentations 10:45am - 11:45pm


8. Wrap Up & Next Steps 11:45am - 12:00pm



Erin E. Jordahl
Director, Iowa Chapter Sierra Club
3839 Merle Hay Road, Suite 280
Des Moines, IA 50310
515-277-8868
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