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“Jim helped us see that our strategic planning initiative would be more productive and effective if we opened and engaged our entire autism community.”

Dr. Linda S. Meyer, Executive Director of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community

Results

USING APPRECIATIVE STRATEGIC PLANNING TO ENHANCE COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT

SITUATION
The newly appointed Executive Director of the New Jersey Center for Outreach and Services for the Autism Community needed to establish the strategic priorities for the organization for the next five years. She wished to engage the Board, the 2,500 members of the organizations and the wider autism community in the process.

APPROACH
We worked in collaboration with the Executive Director, key staff and the strategic planning committee of the Board to:

Design and conduct an electronic survey of NJ COSAC’s 2500 members the results of which would be used in strategic planning process; design and facilitate a 50 person a one-day ‘whole system’ appreciative strategic planning retreat; and design and facilitate a follow-up workshop for the Board, Executive Director and executive team to prioritize and refine goals and action steps.

RESULTS

• The survey produced 1000 member responses highlighting their hopes, dreams and aspirations for the future of NJ COSAC.
• The retreat produced five strategic priorities each with goals and action steps that NJ COSAC is presently implementing. These include:
  • A “Blueprint for Lifespan Support Services for Individuals and Families with ASD” that will inform the development of a new Government Affairs Advocacy Plan for NJ COSAC.
  • A plan to increase COSAC’s membership from 2,500 to 25,000.
  • A plan to expand family support services.
  • A plan to enhance its research and information dissemination programs.
  • Improvement to the organization’s financial health and stability.