‘Strategery’ during challenging times (aka: strategic planning)

We as a board of directors and staff at FamilyForward, regardless of outside influences, will relentlessly pursue our mission to serve families in need of our support and guidance.

Tim Wayman, Chair, FamilyForward Board of Directors

I recall an old Saturday Night Live sketch during the 2000 presidential campaign when Will Ferrell, playing the part of George W. Bush, was asked to sum up, in a single word, his approach to problem solving and, in turn, the best argument for his candidacy. His simple answer: “Strategery.”

Strategic planning is challenging but necessary in turbulent times

While this bit of satire was all about poking fun at candidates in a presidential debate, developing a strategic plan for a business or, in our case, a nonprofit, is demanding when dealing with a shifting landscape and unexpected developments. Over the past year, the FamilyForward Board of Directors has engaged in a strategic-planning process to re-examine our objectives and identify key opportunities and challenges facing our organization. The following actions and initiatives will continue to move this organization forward in an impactful way:

• A reconfirmation of our mission statement to serve low-income, working families in the northwest suburbs through mentoring, rental assistance, and other support services.

• A shift of the executive director role from part time to full time.

• The hiring of an additional case manager to help oversee our program’s more complex family situations as we expand the geographical region served.

• A sharpened focus on using digital tools to educate the community about our work in the community: sharing more family-impact stories online, creating engaging digital and video content, boosting online awareness through enhanced search engine optimization, and other marketing initiatives.

Following through while staying nimble

As we continue to implement more of the action plans defined during our strategic-planning process, we recognize that new and changing external factors continue to arise. These shifting circumstances affect our client families, our supporters, and our organization. While FamilyForward does not rely on federal funding, worrisome pronouncements coming out of Washington such as job cuts, alteration of business hiring practices, higher tariffs, and more restrictive food-assistance programs could negatively impact our families’ ability to succeed in our program. Also, as a fundraising organization, employment uncertainties and stock market fluctuations could have a significant negative effect on donations from both individuals and businesses, as well as on grant opportunities.

Back to “strategery.” Strategic planning is not a magic bullet. Stuff happens and successful organizations need to adapt. Know that we as a board of directors and staff, regardless of outside influences, will relentlessly pursue our mission to serve families in need of our support and guidance.