Franciscan Action Network Strategic Plan
as approved by the Board of Directors
April 9, 2010
For a downloadable PDF version of this strategic plan, click here.
This Strategic Plan is organized into four sections:
I. Our Mission
II. Our Network (board, staff, members, action commission, stakeholders)
III. Our Actions (communications, activities)
IV. Our Sustainability (finances, structure)
Each section, and in some cases each sub-section, begins with an aspiration statement in italicized print. These are statements that express our desired future. They appear in the present tense, as if we have already achieved our hopes. The aspiration statements are followed by a set of strategic objectives that, when accomplished, will lead to the fulfillment of the aspiration.
I. Our Mission
We have a mission that expresses the values of Saints Francis and Clare, and motivates us to action for transformative change on issues of Peace, Justice, and the Integrity of Creation.
We call people together across the diversity of faith and politics to learn, to challenge, and to lead, that the spiritual examples of Saints Francis & Clare can influence local and national policies on these issues.
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 regarding our mission are to:
• Write a concise mission statement
• Publicize it on everything (all our materials)
• Articulate Franciscan values in all our activities and programs
• Review the Baltimore documents to revitalize institutional leadership and the original intention
• Reach out with our message beyond the Franciscan family
• Implement Franciscan values as an organization through accountability, transparency, and inclusiveness
II. Our Network
FAN is a strong and recognized voice in the U.S. because of its diverse, vibrant and active network.
Staff
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 for our staff are to:
• Have a complete and full-time staff representing the diversity of the Franciscan World
• Have job descriptions and an employee handbook in place
• Have a campaign to recruit most of the 22 Franciscan Colleges and Universities as institutional members
• Have our director work with appropriate actors to recruit other institutional members
• Initiate a campaign via institutional contact persons, to have personal membership of participating institutions become personal members of FAN
• Have a significant and ongoing partnership between Franciscans International and FAN
• Support the Action Commission to work more effectively in the area of recruitment and grassroots organizing
Board
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 for our board are to:
• Have a complete board that represents the diversity of our membership and has a wide range of skills
• Have a board that is a major resource for fundraising, development, recruitment and public relations
• Have each member of the board be an active member of a board committee
• Have the board and staff responsibilities well defined and understood by both parties
• Have a strong and mutually respectful working relationship between board and staff
Action Commission
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 for our Action Commission are to:
• Restructure the AC such that it has more contact with its area members and animates the network in the field through such activities as:
o Conducting area meetings
o Hosting webinars in their area
o Hosting discussion groups
o Disseminating and discussing white papers
• Insure the AC works more effectively in the area of recruitment and grassroots organizing, in collaboration with the staff
• Provide an area list of membership to facilitate area networking
Members
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 for our members are to:
• Provide substantial civic engagement training and opportunities so that our membership is civically active
• Be recognized as the Franciscan action movement in the U.S.
• Insure that our membership truly represents the diversity of the Franciscan world, especially ecumenical Franciscans and Franciscan hearted people
• Have strong working relationship with all JPIC offices of member institutions
• Animate the leadership to keep them engaged moving forward
Stakeholders
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 with our stakeholders are to:
• Be recognized by the stakeholders and partner organizations as providing a specific niche as Franciscans
• Be commonly known as being distinctive and collaborative
III. Our Actions
Communication
FAN communication is effective in engaging and expanding the network to increase participation
Therefore our strategic objectives between now and 2012 with our communications are to:
• Use technology to reach the younger population through social networking and other means
• Develop easy-to-use formats and be of ready assistance to members in the use of technology
• Constantly review messaging in accord with Franciscan roots and latest findings on effective languaging
• Continue to develop the use of IT as part of our strategic advantage
• Simplify and articulate messages so that people can grasp them quickly
(both format and content)
Activities
Coming from a prayerful and reflective stance and as a voice of Franciscan values, we promote a healthy dialogue among a diverse population and increase grass roots participation in shaping policy.
Therefore our strategic objectives between now and 2012 in our activities are to:
• Continue producing white papers and webinars on FAN issues
• Be purposefully mindful of diverse perspectives of our membership in our activities
• Strategically use collaborations and partnerships to conserve resources and maximize effect
• Offer opportunities and cultivate skills in action for policy change
• Address issues of Franciscan concern that are immediate, that are in the offing, and that we believe should be prominent in the public conversation (e.g. Climate Change)
• Offer opportunities for engagement with Congressional members on national issues and their local impact
• Encourage and share information about action on local issues related to our national mission
IV. Our Sustainability
Finances
FAN is financially and structurally viable. It has the resources it needs to accomplish its mission.
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 regarding our finances are to:
• Have a clear, concise, focused and uniquely Franciscan case statement to use in our fundraising activities, strategies, and materials
• Have a broad and expanding membership that contributes regularly
• Have a circle of high-end benefactors, some of whom are on the board
• Be transparent and accountable to our members with our finances
• Have strategies for small donations from targeted audiences and on specific issues
• Acknowledge and continue to nurture relationships with our major donors
• Attend major Franciscan conferences to build relationships and expand the donor base.
• Develop Franciscan educational institutions and networks as a potential donor base
• Have a dedicated Development Director for grants, donations, and major gifts.
• Consider the issue of membership fees
Structure
We are clear about our relations with a 501(c)4 entity to enact our advocacy mission.
Therefore, our strategic objectives between now and 2012 regarding our structure are to:
• Explore the financial, legal, structural implications and feasibility of such an entity
• Revisit the decision to support the establishment of a 501(c)4 in light of this exploration.
Initial draft facilitated by Louise Diamond, Consultant
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