USHPAUSHPAStrategy Strategy UpdateUpdate

Fall, 2010Fall, 2010

At the Spring 2010 BOD meeting, a decision was At the Spring 2010 BOD meeting, a decision was made to conduct a review and refresh of the 2005 made to conduct a review and refresh of the 2005 Strategic Plan.Strategic Plan.

Assess progress against 2005 Assess progress against 2005 planplan

Review/revise existing goalsReview/revise existing goals

Identify new goals neededIdentify new goals needed

2005-2010 Assessment: We had six, 25-year BHAGs* 2005-2010 Assessment: We had six, 25-year BHAGs* in the 2005 plan. We made in the 2005 plan. We made somesome progress against all progress against all of them.of them.

Long-Term Goals Progress since 2005

1) Increase Membership

2008 Marketing Plan, Mentor Program developed;neither fully implemented; limited traction to date

2) Improve Public Perception

(Byproduct of Marketing Plan)

3) Professionalize the Organization

Board function significantly improved (though, it’s a never-ending job)

4) Support Site Acquisition and Preservation

Site Manual developed;most/ongoing work must be done by local pilots

5) Assure Quality Training and Mentoring for Pilots

Mentor Program developed; process improvements needed; limited traction to date

6) Promote Safety (Equipment and Best Practices)

Done what we can; USHPA is a small part of the whole safety picture* “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals“ (typically, only a one-in-three chance of actually achieving)

2005-2010 Assessment: 2005-2010 Assessment: Things We LearnedThings We Learned

We can accomplish a lot when we focus preciselyWe can accomplish a lot when we focus precisely

Added challenges of volunteer organizationAdded challenges of volunteer organization Resources are especially highly constrained Resources are especially highly constrained Things take longer than in private sectorThings take longer than in private sector Easier to plan than executeEasier to plan than execute

Need to do a better job of gaining buy-in and Need to do a better job of gaining buy-in and understanding from all the stakeholdersunderstanding from all the stakeholders Need to deemphasize issues too much out of our controlNeed to deemphasize issues too much out of our control

2005-2010 Assessment: USHPA needs active help 2005-2010 Assessment: USHPA needs active help from various stakeholders. Many issues are out of from various stakeholders. Many issues are out of USHPA’s control.USHPA’s control.

Growth Challenge Causes/Drivers Influence-

able

Free Flight Stakeholders

USHPAManufactu

res / Importers

Schools/ Dealers Clubs Pilots

Attrition              Life events No

Lack of community Yes X X X X X

Hassle  Yes X X X X

Scared Yes X X X

Missed expectations Yes X

New Pilot Growth              

External Marketing Yes X X X X

Enough Instructors? Yes X X XInstructor converting students long-term pilots Yes X X X

Successful business practices Yes X X X

Convienence Yes X X X

Organizational Effectiveness              

Member Communication Yes X X

RD's effectiveness Yes X

Lack of Execution Yes X

Translating Vision to Action Yes X

At the Spring 2010 BOD meeting, a decision was At the Spring 2010 BOD meeting, a decision was made to conduct a review and refresh of the 2005 made to conduct a review and refresh of the 2005 Strategic Plan.Strategic Plan.

Assess progress against 2005 Assess progress against 2005 planplan

Review/revise existing goalsReview/revise existing goals

Identify new goals neededIdentify new goals needed

2010 Recommendation: 2010 Recommendation: Maintain 2005 Vision and Mission Statements.Maintain 2005 Vision and Mission Statements.

VisionVision - - To fulfill the dream of soaring To fulfill the dream of soaring effortlessly through the sky.effortlessly through the sky.

Mission Mission -- The purpose of the United States The purpose of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is to promote the Association is to promote the growth of sport flying in foot-growth of sport flying in foot-launchable soaring aircraft.launchable soaring aircraft.

2010 Recommendation: 2005 25-year goal 2010 Recommendation: 2005 25-year goal statements still relevant and should be retained…statements still relevant and should be retained…

2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still 2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still relevant and should be retained…however, relevant and should be retained…however, succeeding in what we do requires a succeeding in what we do requires a muchmuch tighter tighter focus.focus.

2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still 2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still relevant and should be retained…however, relevant and should be retained…however, succeeding in what we do requires a succeeding in what we do requires a muchmuch tighter tighter focus.focus.

Focus

Out*

* “Focus Out” does not mean we totally ignore/let balls drop. It just means we ensure we prioritize the most important things which we can significantly affect.

2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still 2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still relevant and should be retained…however, relevant and should be retained…however, succeeding in what we do requires a succeeding in what we do requires a muchmuch tighter tighter focus.focus.

NewFocu

s

2010 Recommendation: 2010 Recommendation: Recommended Top Priorities for USHPARecommended Top Priorities for USHPA

1.1. Grow membershipGrow membership

2.2. Instructor SuccessInstructor Success

3.3. Membership CommunicationMembership Communication

Once one of these three becomes routine, or gets as done as USHPA has the power to do something about it, drop it from the list and add a new third priority.

Revisit the status of the Strategic Plan earlier than 2015.

AppendixAppendix

Action Plans for Top 3 PrioritiesAction Plans for Top 3 Priorities

Action Plan – (1) Grow MembershipAction Plan – (1) Grow MembershipAction Item: Increase the number of new pilots entering the sport

Team Lead: Executive DirectorTeam Members: Nick Greece, Robin Jones, Marketing Committee

Objective: Grow the membership

Key Tasks:•Source/Develop required human resources•Transition 2008 Marketing Plan to front office•Develop operational 2011 PR Plan•Develop actionable 2011-12 events plan

Key Milestones Notes: • Dates somewhat contingent new ED hire date.

Milestone Date

2011 PR Plan Approved

2/11

2011 Events Plan Approved

2/11

Action Plan – (1) Grow MembershipAction Plan – (1) Grow MembershipAction Item: Improve retention of member pilots

Team Lead: Executive DirectorTeam Members: Robin Jones, Steve Roti, M&D Committee, Wayne Michelsen

Objective: Grow the membership

Key Tasks:•Analyze current implementation of Mentor Program for effectiveness/improvements•Transition operation of Mentor Program to front office•Explore ways to automate Mentor Program•Assess utility of annual member conference (beginning with a member survey)

Key Milestones Notes: • Analysis of Mentor Program is complete but recommendations not yet published so deadline dates may vary.

Milestone Date

Enact Mentor Improvements

11/10

Automation Plan

12/10

Annual Conference Survey

12/10

Action Plan – (2) Instructor SuccessAction Plan – (2) Instructor SuccessAction Item: Do what USHPA can to support instructors

Team Lead: TBD (ISWG Team Leader)Team Members: TBD (ISWG members)

Objective: Instructor Success

Key Tasks:•Form Instructor Success Working Group•ISWG develops full action plan

Key Milestones Notes: Contemplated features include…• Feature a school per month in magazine• Publish school rankings in magazine• School services offering (business cards, web hosting, generic brochures/rack cards, etc.)• Modular training materials/videos online• Explore ‘Select Schools’ concept

Milestone Date

ISWG formed 11/15/10

Approve ISWG action plan

Spring, ‘11 BoD

Action Plan – (3) Member CommunicationAction Plan – (3) Member CommunicationAction Item: Improve quality of 2-way member communications

Team Lead: EDTeam Members: Robin Jones, Nick Greece, M&D Committee, USHPA Web Team, contract writer (to be hired)

Objective: Improve member communications

Key Tasks:•Identify weaknesses in member communications; review plan and timelines•Review job descriptions for relevant staff•Hire contact writer to deliver content for web/magazine

Key Milestones Notes:• As part of improved communication strategy an online Member Resource Center is suggested to increase dissemination of accurate and helpful information to membership.

Milestone Date

Solidify job descriptions

12/10

Recommend improvements to current program

01/11

Revise timelines based on recommendations

02/11

Action Plan – (3) Member CommunicationAction Plan – (3) Member CommunicationAction Item: Improve quality of 2-way chapter communications

Team Lead: EDTeam Members: Robin Jones, Chapter Support Committee, contract writer (to be hired)

Objective: Improve chapter communications and cohesion with USHPA

Key Tasks:•Identify chapter needs addressable by USHPA•Monthly email to chapter presidents with USHPA update•Continue USHPA presentations to chapters (~4/year)

Key Milestones Notes:

Milestone Date

Chapter survey 02/11

Begin emailing chapters

02/11

Chapter presentations resume

03/11-12/11