SSA Announces Initiative to Support Member Organizations with Strategic Planning Development

Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) is excited to announce an unprecedented opportunity for SSA Member Organizations to develop their own strategic plans with the assistance of quality consulting expertise from Paul Varian of Capitis Consulting.  

As outlined at the 2017 Annual General Meeting, the Saskatchewan Soccer Association Strategic Plan emphasizes key themes:

• Alignment of vision and the coordination of effort province-wide to grow the game at all levels;

• Establishing and communicating standards to guide our progress and support the continued refinement of strategy;

• An unwavering focus on quality improvement through self-evaluation against the standards that have been set.

The Saskatchewan Soccer Strategic Planning Initiative (SSSPI) is part of an investment by Saskatchewan Soccer Association (SSA) for its Member Organizations to ensure they are dynamic in their direction and growth, and aligned strategically with provincial counterparts.

SSA recognizes that a strategic planning process requires time and expertise that is not necessarily available to many Member Organizations that are challenged with the demands of delivering soccer programs.  To that end, Capitis Consulting has been engaged to develop a framework and the guided process to support Member Organizations to develop their own strategic plans. Paul Varian, Principal at Capitis Consulting, will provide recommendations and support to each Member Organization as they develop their plans. 

“We want to be there, working hand-in-hand to support Member Organizations," said Len Chelack, SSA President, “the SSA Board of Directors is excited to support this initiative; it will be offered free of charge, as a value-add to SSA membership, to help these organizations balance the work of plan development with their ongoing program delivery responsibilities.”

“With the support of our membership, we have been able to develop the Association’s financial resources over the past five years.  Even though registration is trending down, now is the best time to invest in our Membership,” explains Doug Pederson, Executive Director of Saskatchewan Soccer Association. “It is in the interests of all that the activities of our Member Organizations are aligned with the goals in the provincial-level strategic plan, and that we have a framework whereby we can all measure progress in a similar manner.  Each participating Member Organization will be supported to build their own plan that addresses their unique local needs, but they will do so in a way that the framework and metrics will be similar for all members, he added.  “This will allow us to come together and assess what is working, what needs improvement, and then direct our collective energies accordingly.”
  
How to Participate in this Initiative:
All interested Member Organizations must send leadership representatives to attend a planning workshop on Saturday, September 9^th, 2017 (Meeting rooms will be available in Regina & Saskatoon and connected via video link – detailed plans will be circulated later on). The workshop will be led by Paul Varian and it will outline the strategic planning process he will be guiding.

The Workshop will contain:

• Areas where Capitis Consulting will be providing support

• Timelines involved in the process

• Expectations for MO’s that wish to participate.

Upon completion of the SSSPI Workshop, Member Organizations will be required to submit an Expression of Interest to confirm participation in the Strategic Planning process by NOON, Friday, September 29^th. After the deadline, the planning process will commence through Capitis Consulting with participating organizations.

What is Capitis Consulting?
Capitis consulting is a recognized industry leader in the development of strategic plans in Canadian soccer and has already led the developed of the SSA’s Strategic Plan in 2017-2020. The firm has also undertaken exercises for a number of Canadian Provincial Soccer Governing Bodies along with Canadian Soccer Clubs Ontario Soccer, Nova Scotia Soccer Association to Coquitlam Metro-Ford Soccer Club, Oakville Soccer Club and Guelph Soccer club to name just a few.
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"Good planning is an essential foundation for any well-run soccer club, regardless of how large or small it is,' commented Paul Varian of Capitis Consulting. 'Unfortunately, many amateur soccer clubs don't have the time to undertake it, nor the financial resources to engage firms like Capitis Consulting. Saskatchewan Soccer is to be commended for their vision and investment which will allow its Member Organizations to properly plan for their future without the burden of consulting fees."

Event Information
SSA Member Organizations that wish to align efforts for the betterment of soccer in Saskatchewan are encouraged to attend the planning workshop on September 9th 2017 and take advantage of this unprecedented opportunity.

"Well planned soccer organizations are easier to run, less politically charged, and everyone gets better value from their soccer governing bodies if their strategic goals are aligned," continues Varian. "This is a great opportunity that SSA Member Organizations should take advantage of."

 For more information about the SSSPI contact Paul Varian (905) 455-7412.
 

MARK YOUR CALENDAR: SEPT. 9, 2017