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Sask Soccer Strategic Initiative Follow-up & Presentations
2017-09-23
Saskatchewan Soccer Association Strategic Plan Initiative (SSSPI) -
A Collective Step in the Right Direction
Follow-up Report
September 22, 2017
Saskatchewan Soccer was delighted to launch SSSPI earlier this month in Saskatoon. We were delighted to see a packed room of interested member organizations, who are clearly taking the long term welfare of their organizations seriously. To assist member organizations in their consideration of whether or not to participate in SSSPI (a decision for which must be reached by October 7th, 2017), this document aims to provide some supporting information, including answers to some questions member organization Boards of Directors may have.
Firstly, it is important and exciting to note that SSSPI is a unique opportunity that has not been provided by many sport organizations anywhere else in Canada. It is also imperative to recognize that 26 of the 32 SSA Strategic Targets are focused on membership development - the success of these targets carries a shared accountability in growing the game of soccer together. This process is the catalyst that promotes this to happen.
Strategic Plans do not have to be complex like the SSA's, but can frame the work already being done and pinpoint the targets that are meaningful and unique to each Member Organization (MO). Although this process may seem daunting, with the support of the Strategic Planning expertize in Paul Varian and Capitis Consulting, we are moving ever closer to tangibly aligning our Missions, and actualizing our Vision.
"The process of developing a Strategic Plan requires full buy-in from everyone, especially from an Organization's Board. This rare opportunity to access planning expertise might not otherwise be accessible by community-based organizations. It can be a new step for an MO in its development, or a refinement to already existing delivery and structure," said Capitis Consulting's Paul Varian. "Planning of this nature will make your organization easier to run, will allow the SSA to serve you better, and doesn't have to be complicated or too time-consuming - you can start small!"
The outcome of this process is ultimately to equip and encourage the people of our sport organization to frame their time, drive their energies, and define the important roles we all play in accomplishing our targets. This effort is less about ensuring people and MO's follow the SSA Strategic Plan to the letter, but more to assist MO's to formulate their own unique plans, which ultimately fulfill the goals of the overall Provincial Plan. The beginning of this process started with the Provincial Organization and Member Organizations, but the benefits and outcomes are for the people who are part of the sport on and off the field.
"Saskatchewan Soccer Association is excited to be able to provide this planning initiative opportunity for our members. As each one of our members are better able to plan for continued strength and success of their own organization, the whole sport of soccer in Saskatchewan benefits, added SSA Board Director, Sheri Willick. "We had a great turnout out the session on September 9th in Saskatoon and are very pleased to see the enthusiasm from our members as we move onto the next stages."
SSA and Capitis Consulting would thank those who participated in the Sask Soccer Strategic Planning Initiative (SSSPI) session on September 9th and encourage others to join us on the conference call to learn more about being part of the process.
Please note that the Expression of Interest to participate in the SSSPI has been extended to October 7th, 2017.
Interested in learning more?
Here was the information shared on September 9th:
The SSA will be hosting a follow-up conference call for all Member Organizations that were either in attendance or unable to make it, who are interested in participating further in the SSSPI. The call has been set for Thursday, September 28, 2017 at 7:00 p.m.
Please dial in Toll free to 1-866-296-5646 and enter Participant Passcode 913357.
Background
On July 19th, 2017, SSA released information regarding the Saskatchewan Soccer Strategic Planning Initiative (SSSPI) that promoted the opportunity for Member Organizations to develop and execute their own unique strategic plan, in alignment with the 2017-2020 SSA Strategic Plan. Supported by Capitis Consulting, this initiative will be provided to all SSA Member Organizations at no cost. The only requirement is a commitment of the organization to actively participate in the process for the duration of the entire process.
On September 9th, SSA and Capitis Consulting delivered an in-person planning workshop in Saskatoon for interested Member Organizations to learn more about the process and the timelines associated with participation.
FAQ
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I am interested in finding out how to get my MO involved in the process. Who do I contact?
- Please contact Rahim Mohamed at 1-306-260-9793, or dos@sasksoccer.com. You have until October 7st to declare your MO's interest to participate.
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What if I have never done a Strategic Plan before?
- This is a key reason why we are engaging in this process. We must break the barriers for our Member Organizations to reach their full potential. The key lessons learned in this process can be applied into the future, and for many more strategic plans to come.
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What are the target dates for this initiative?
- October 7, 2017 - Deadline for MO Commitment to SSSPI
- October 2017 - Strategic Plan templates and research questions issued by Capitis Consulting
- October - December 2017 - MO's conduct research and consultation phase of strategic planning
- January 2018 - MO Conference calls with Capitis Consulting
- February - April 2018 - Review draft MO strategic plans by Capitis Consulting
- May 2018 - MO strategic plans nearing completion; Key Performance Indicators (KPI) frameworks drawn up by Capitis Consulting
- June 2018 - Final conference call with MO's (re: completed strategic plans); Issuing of reporting template by Capitis Consulting
- July 2018 - SSSPI completion
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Is there flexibility in these dates?
- Capitis Consulting can work to a degree within the capacity constraints that may impinge on a member organization's ability to move their planning process along at the speed they would like. That said, for the process of collective development of plans to work, member organizations must be moving at roughly the same speed. To that end, Capitis Consulting can accommodate member organizations requiring flexibility in dates that may be in the order of a few weeks, but not deviation that moves into months.
- It is also important to note that the process of building a strategic plan should not take much longer than the schedule that is outlined - to take longer runs the risk of the planning process losing momentum, petering out, or the resultant plan losing touch with the research information that informs it. It is Capitis Consulting's experience that the timelines issued should be manageable for most organizations, if their Boards commit to making the planning process the high priority it needs to be if embarked on.
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Will this initiative cost anything for my MO?
- No. There is no cost associated with participation in this initiative. In the event a Member Organization
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How comprehensive does our Strategic Plan have to be?
- The key to this process is determining the direction and unique challenges for each MO. The final product will be built and determined specifically through the work with Capitis Consulting. The end result may be a one or two-page document for some, or a much larger and comprehensive package for other MO's. No one format will suit all needs.