Vestry Adopts Strategic Plan
It is with great pleasure that I share with you where we are with our Strategic Plan. On Wednesday, September 14, the Vestry of Christ Church Cathedral unanimously approved the Strategic Plan for 2011-2014. This plan will help accomplish two needs: (1) State clearly where we want to be headed as a cathedral for the next three years; and (2) Serve as an aid in the upcoming search for a new dean.
A Brief History
A Strategic Planning Team was formed in March. With the vestry's recommendation, an outside consultant was hired to help with this entire process. Members of the planning team included Prince Brown, Sigred Coyle, Megan Emery, Lorna Harrell, Charles Harris, Sarah Johnson, Kathy Jose, Bertie Ray, Susan Sargen, Jane Page-Steiner, David Thomson and Interim Dean Ron DelBene.
The team met formally (for four-plus-hour meetings) on April 6, May 4, June 6, June 29 and August 24. It also had a number of informal meetings.
To be collaborative (that is, bring as many people into the process as possible), the team invited all cathedral members to two open meetings on July 24 and August 8. Those unable to make either of those meetings were also invited to talk to team members during the Ministry Fair on September 11.
More than 150 different members and staff participated in these meetings. Many also gave specific written comments, sent thoughtful emails or were part of personal conversations. From all this input and feedback, the team prayerfully and thoughtfully developed the strategic plan.
What did Vestry Approve?
The vestry approved the wording of the One Page Strategic Plan that covers three areas:
2011-2014 objective statement:
"We will strengthen our identity by exploring and enriching our spiritual growth, broadening our understanding of what it means to be a part of this Cathedral community, and focusing our resources to serve the common good more effectively."
Five strategies on how we will work together
- Spiritual Life: Welcome a variety of forms of worship and spiritual engagement.
- Community Life: Being welcoming, inclusive, broadening our reach and passionate about serving God.
- Living our Faith: Practice our faith through targeted outreach initiatives that enhance the common good.
- Cathedral Life: Strengthen our relationship with the diocese and partner with the community to offer spiritual enrichment.
- Resource Stewardship: Strengthen and utilize our financial, human and physical assets.
For each of the five strategies a total of 20 plans (projects and initiatives) were developed for 2011-12. So that the congregation can fully understand the processes that led to the development of each strategy and the supporting plans, the strategic "captains" (those overseeing the implementation of the plans) are preparing summaries that outline the course of action followed to this point. These summaries will be posted on the cathedral web site as they become available over the next couple of months. We will send out a notice as each is posted for your review. However, let me just highlight a few plans:
- Look at new, additional worship services.
- Develop and deliver an effective pastoral care system.
- Initiate weekday activities to serve the 9-5 downtown workers.
- Fulfill our defined role in the 2012 Choir Games.
- Achieve more efficiency and transparency in budgeting and financial reporting.
Questions will arise, because of the broad wording that needed to be used. Specifics will come as each plan becomes further developed.
Next Steps
Second, specific people will be identified (from staff and members) to lead the charge for each plan. They will form teams to continue the development and implementation phase for each plan. As part of this process, both people and financial resources will become important factors in each plan's execution.
Third, quarterly updates will be provided with a more detailed review given at the congregational annual meeting.
Finally, with the strategic plan in place we will be moving forward with the search process for our new dean.
Conclusion
It is our hope and prayer that the implementation of an on-going strategic planning process will lead Christ Church Cathedral in new and exciting ways and help keep us relevant in today's ever changing society.
-Charles Harris, Senior Warden
