Welcome A-Board by Heather Harris

LLC in Wonderland

“Would you tell me, please which way I ought to go from here?”
“That depends a good deal on where you want to get to,” said the Cat.
“I don't much care where” said Alice.
“Then it doesn't matter which way you go,” said the Cat.
(Lewis Carroll - Alice in Wonderland)

Unlike Alice, Laubach Literacy of Canada is concerned about which way it goes in the future. LLC has spent the past twelve months conducting an organizational evaluation in an attempt to learn not only about itself as an organization but also about the changing social, economic and political environment it now operates within.

The results of the organizational evaluation, which are now available to the LLC membership through the Development Office, clearly show who we are and what we stand for as an organization. Both our strengths and our weaknesses have been clearly identified by the “looking glass” for all in Wonderland to see.

In the next six months, LLC's journey into the future will take it into the world of strategic planning. One of the most common definitions for strategic planning is “a disciplined effort to produce fundamental decisions and actions that shape and guide what an organization is, what it does, and why it does it.” (Bryson, 1995)

However, for those who are not familiar with strategic planning, don't be intimidated by confusing words and jargon! Simply put, strategic planning looks at the following questions:
1. Where are we now? (who and what are we, what do we do and why?)
2. Where do we want to be?
3. How can we get there?
4. How will we do all this?
5. How will we know if we are successful?

Strategic planning is a process which helps an organization take a realistic look at itself, the environment in which it operates and the current trends and issues which have an impact on the way the organization conducts business. Some questions LLC will be asking representatives of its key constituents during the next six months include:

	What does the organization do best, and how does that relate to what is needed?
	What is the essence of the organization? What makes it unique or different?
	What are the core values and beliefs of the members and stakeholders?
	What is its mission? Who is served? Should the mission be amended?
	What are the organization's strengths and weaknesses?
	What are the keys to success for the organization?
	What is changing in the environment and what is the competition doing?
	How can the organization really make a difference in the lives of its members, stakeholders, and in society?
	What activities are worth undertaking and committing to over the next three years? Five years?
	What must be done to implement this strategy?

(Smith, Bucklin & Associates The Complete Guide to Nonprofit Management)

As governments continue to search for new ways to reduce deficits, and reform their policies in an attempt to streamline their involvement in social programs, it is becoming increasingly important for non-profit agencies such as Laubach Literacy to ensure they are effectively meeting changing and evolving community needs. All organizations change. Whether they do so successfully depends on a number of factors. By engaging in the strategic planning process, LLC is attempting to clearly define its unique role in Canadian society and to better meet changing literacy needs

Strategic planning will help Laubach Literacy of Canada:

	Establish priorities and clarify the organization's future direction
	Allocate human and financial resources to accomplish those activities
	Increase organizational effectiveness in fulfilling its mission
	Increase efficiency, enhance organizational capabilities and maximize resources
	Improve understanding and learning
	Improve decision making