1. I am a very quick thinker. I’m not bragging — it is my biggest weakness as well as strength — I just don’t have a slow/thoughtful button. And so strategic plans can bedevil me, in that their entire existence is on a slow, thoughtful analysis of what an organization is doing well, doing poorly, and what can be done better.
2. Yes, it’s time for my organization’s strategic plan. Several board/staff who were here for the last one five years ago have chosen NOT IT because it … didn’t go well last time. I struggle with the plan itself, and the concept, but I love the way it CAN, ideally, bring board and staff together — united — that is the real win for strategic plans in my book.
3. So, we had our first retreat yesterday. And I thought it went well! As these things go, it was big and a bit messy, but we winnowed it down. And then — not anymore. The winnowing turned into a little … discussion … I assumed these things always went this way, and asked the consultant, who said NO — THESE DO NOT. So, we were a bit of an argumentative group. I like argumentative groups!
4. So we voted – again – and got, wait for it, the same results. Exactly. So, at least we all know what we want! I was a bit fussy about the result, but overall was so glad we made it, and made it together, and even talked through the hard parts.

Long way to go until it is done (September!) but excited to be on track …