With elections fast approaching, have you considered how to jumpstart your team on the way to a successful term?  

One of the best ways to do this is to bring your team together through a facilitated strategic planning process, which will enhance your team’s capacity through the development of stronger relationships and shared direction. It is the ideal way to start off the new term and ensure everyone is on the same page. And it doesn’t have to be complicated!  

A strategic plan should clearly and simply lay out the following key components:  

  1. Where you’re going: Strategic planning should be guided by the vision and goals articulated by the community – usually captured in your official community plan (OCP) or integrated community sustainability plan (ICSP). The strategic plan will help your organization stay the course toward your community’s vision and goals for the future.  
  2. Where you are now: The strategic planning process should be informed by today’s budget realities, current performance data (where it exists), and an analysis of current strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT analysis). Having a good handle on the current situation will lead to more realistic planning for how to move forward.  
  3. How you’re going to move forward: This is the crux of the plan and the planning process, where staff and Council (guided and grounded by the other two components) set the direction and priorities for the organization; and then prioritize the key deliverables that will be best suited for moving forward over the next few years. 

A corporate strategic plan is best developed with Council and senior staff equally contributing information and ideas. Therefore, the process is best conducted with an external facilitator who can guide the process neutrally and ensure everyone participates and is heard.

The Centre has led strategic planning processes for many municipalities and non-profit organizations, including the District of Tofino, the Village of Montrose and Fruitvale, Arts Whistler, Whistler Sport Legacies and many more. We would be happy to guide the process for your team after the October elections.

For more on our approach to strategic planning, please visit our Strategic Planning for Local Governments page or contact Shannon Gordon (sgordon[at]whistlercentre.ca or 604-906-0310).