Proposal: Strategic Plan Proposal

(new)
 
(add {{proposal}})
 
(7 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
{{proposal|member1=[[user:Lankiveil|Lankiveil]]|status=approved}}
==Background==
==Background==


From March 25 to March 27, Andrew Owens and I attended the Wikimedia Chapters Conference in Berlin, Germany, on behalf of Wikimedia Australia.  One of the conclusions we quickly came to is that chapters who have been successful in their programmes and aims are all driven by a strategic plan that outlines what the chapter should be doing, what is in scope, and how those aims will be met.  
Andrew Owens and I attended the Wikimedia Chapters Conference in Berlin, Germany, on behalf of Wikimedia Australia on 25–27 March.  One of the conclusions we quickly came to is that chapters that have been successful in their programs and aims are all driven by a strategic plan that outlines what the chapter should be doing, what is within scope, and how those aims will be met.  
This is a proposal to appoint a subcommittee of individuals to write such a document for Wikimedia Australia, and present it for approval to both the membership and the committee.
 
At the same time our Australian chapter has for some weeks now been conducting discussions via the 'Membership List' regarding the need to clarify our policies, procedures and practices, thus recognising the need to develop a document encompassing WMau's strategic plan.
 
This proposal in recognising preceding discussions (outlined above), both within the Australian chapter and at the international level, creates this proposal to appoint a subcommittee of individuals to write such a document for Wikimedia Australia and ultimately to present it for approval by the committee.


==Goal==
==Goal==


The end goal will be the creation of a strategic plan that outlines the goals and strategies of the organisation out to 2015. This plan will not be intended as a straightjacket on what we do for the next four years, but as an aid to acting in a coordinated fashion, an indicator of where we see ourselves going, and a high-level idea how we will get there.  Future proposals and ideas can then be assessed against the strategic plan to see how well they fit in with our vision, and financial planning can be undertaken to ensure that these goals remain financially feasible.
The objective is the creation of a strategic plan that outlines the goals and strategies of the organisation for the next four years to 2015. This plan is not intended to limit creativity or impose limitations on the way WMau operates.  It is intended to provide the chapter with direction, while acting in a coordinated manner, and guiding us along our pathway, providing us with the means to achieving our goals.  Future proposals and ideas can then be assessed against the strategic plan to see how well they match our vision, and financial planning can be undertaken to ensure that these proposals and ideas remain financially feasible.  
 


==Benefits of having a Strategic Plan==
==Benefits of having a Strategic Plan==
Line 12: Line 18:
There are many benefits to having a strategic plan, and most organisations of our size, whether in the not-for-profit or commercial sector, have moved to implement one.  Specific enumerable benefits would be:
There are many benefits to having a strategic plan, and most organisations of our size, whether in the not-for-profit or commercial sector, have moved to implement one.  Specific enumerable benefits would be:
* New proposals introduced by members could be assessed against the plan to see if they meet the strategic goals of the organisation, and to see if they overlap with any existing proposed work
* New proposals introduced by members could be assessed against the plan to see if they meet the strategic goals of the organisation, and to see if they overlap with any existing proposed work
* Answers questions about what the purpose of the organisation is, and what it does
* Answer questions about what the purpose of the organisation is, and what it does
* Provides measurable benchmarks to see if the organisation is meeting or making progress towards its goals
* Provide measurable benchmarks to see if the organisation is meeting or making progress towards its goals
* Makes financial planning simpler, by providing a clearer picture of future activity
* Make financial planning simpler, by providing a clearer picture of future activity
* Improves relations with Wikimedia Foundation, by providing a picture of the direction the chapter is moving in and which activities are within the WMF scope.
* Improve relations with Wikimedia Foundation, by providing a picture of the direction the chapter is moving in and which activities are within the WMF scope.


==Composition of Subcommittee==
==Composition of Subcommittee==


It was often observed at the Chapters conference that despite their enthusiasm, the typical Wikimedian does not have the correct skillset to manage and grow an organisation like Wikimedia Australia.  While I would contend that the Australian chapter has been extremely fortunate in the skills that board members have brought forward so far, it is also desirable that outside views are represented.
Historically, the Australian chapter has been fortunate with the skill level of its members and the quality of their contribution to the work of the chapter.  
Therefore, a sponsor should be selected from the committee, who can then nominate people to this subcommittee. It is envisaged that the subcommittee will consist of a mixture of committee members, ordinary members of the organisation, and where necessary, external people with specialised and helpful skills.
 
As a part of the proposal, a general call for members interested in joining this subcommittee should be made, with applications going directly to the project sponsor.  
It is envisaged that the composition of the sub-committee will consist of a mix of committee members and of ordinary members, and that the sub-committee will, from time to time, and where they deem necessary, inform the process by co-opting non-member individuals with specialised skills to the sub-committee.  
The Chair of the sub-committee will be selected by the committee from among its number. This proposal advocates that the Chair invite members to serve on the sub-committee. To this end members showing interest in the work of the proposed sub-committee should make their interest know to the Chair.
 


==Timeline==
==Timeline==


It is hoped that a substantially finished document can be ready to be ratified by the committee before 30 June, 2011. Before that happens, the following milestones need to occur.
It is envisaged that a final draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented to the Committee in time for ratification, on or before 30 June 2011. Should the Committee approve the implementation of the Strategic Plan it will be in the form of a motion passed for that purpose.
* Appointment of subcommittee by the project sponsor
 
* Draft document prepared by subcommittee, and presented to members for feedback
'''Terms of reference:'''
* Feedback from members examined and any changes required made to the document
*These terms of reference come into effect upon the selection of the Chair by the committee;
* Final draft presented to members and committee for final approval
*The Chair is to appoint a sub-committee;
* Committee approves implementation of the strategic plan by motion
*The initial task of the sub-committee is to allocate timelines for each stage of the process and throughout the process to ensure they are met;
*The task of the sub-committee is to submit a draft document to the Committee for implementation.
*The sub-committee will seek member feedback throughout various stages of the process;
*The sub-committee will where necessary seek input from individuals with specialised knowledge in this area;
*All feedback should be taken into consideration in the drafting process;
*A penultimate draft in its entirety is to be presented to members;
*A final draft is to be presented to the committee in time to meet the stated deadline.
*These terms of reference expire upon the completion of the work or upon a motion passed by the Committee to this effect.


==Budget==
==Budget==


It is not anticipated that a budget will be required to bring this plan to fruition.
It is not anticipated that a budget will be required to bring this plan to fruition.

Latest revision as of 08:31, 7 August 2011

This page is a proposal approved by the committee.  The proposal was moved by Lankiveil. If you are not a member of the organisation, you may request an account on this wiki using special:RequestAccount, and discuss this proposal on the discussion page.


Background

Andrew Owens and I attended the Wikimedia Chapters Conference in Berlin, Germany, on behalf of Wikimedia Australia on 25–27 March. One of the conclusions we quickly came to is that chapters that have been successful in their programs and aims are all driven by a strategic plan that outlines what the chapter should be doing, what is within scope, and how those aims will be met.

At the same time our Australian chapter has for some weeks now been conducting discussions via the 'Membership List' regarding the need to clarify our policies, procedures and practices, thus recognising the need to develop a document encompassing WMau's strategic plan.

This proposal in recognising preceding discussions (outlined above), both within the Australian chapter and at the international level, creates this proposal to appoint a subcommittee of individuals to write such a document for Wikimedia Australia and ultimately to present it for approval by the committee.

Goal

The objective is the creation of a strategic plan that outlines the goals and strategies of the organisation for the next four years to 2015. This plan is not intended to limit creativity or impose limitations on the way WMau operates. It is intended to provide the chapter with direction, while acting in a coordinated manner, and guiding us along our pathway, providing us with the means to achieving our goals. Future proposals and ideas can then be assessed against the strategic plan to see how well they match our vision, and financial planning can be undertaken to ensure that these proposals and ideas remain financially feasible.


Benefits of having a Strategic Plan

There are many benefits to having a strategic plan, and most organisations of our size, whether in the not-for-profit or commercial sector, have moved to implement one. Specific enumerable benefits would be:

  • New proposals introduced by members could be assessed against the plan to see if they meet the strategic goals of the organisation, and to see if they overlap with any existing proposed work
  • Answer questions about what the purpose of the organisation is, and what it does
  • Provide measurable benchmarks to see if the organisation is meeting or making progress towards its goals
  • Make financial planning simpler, by providing a clearer picture of future activity
  • Improve relations with Wikimedia Foundation, by providing a picture of the direction the chapter is moving in and which activities are within the WMF scope.

Composition of Subcommittee

Historically, the Australian chapter has been fortunate with the skill level of its members and the quality of their contribution to the work of the chapter.

It is envisaged that the composition of the sub-committee will consist of a mix of committee members and of ordinary members, and that the sub-committee will, from time to time, and where they deem necessary, inform the process by co-opting non-member individuals with specialised skills to the sub-committee.

The Chair of the sub-committee will be selected by the committee from among its number. This proposal advocates that the Chair invite members to serve on the sub-committee. To this end members showing interest in the work of the proposed sub-committee should make their interest know to the Chair.


Timeline

It is envisaged that a final draft of the Strategic Plan will be presented to the Committee in time for ratification, on or before 30 June 2011. Should the Committee approve the implementation of the Strategic Plan it will be in the form of a motion passed for that purpose.

Terms of reference:

  • These terms of reference come into effect upon the selection of the Chair by the committee;
  • The Chair is to appoint a sub-committee;
  • The initial task of the sub-committee is to allocate timelines for each stage of the process and throughout the process to ensure they are met;
  • The task of the sub-committee is to submit a draft document to the Committee for implementation.
  • The sub-committee will seek member feedback throughout various stages of the process;
  • The sub-committee will where necessary seek input from individuals with specialised knowledge in this area;
  • All feedback should be taken into consideration in the drafting process;
  • A penultimate draft in its entirety is to be presented to members;
  • A final draft is to be presented to the committee in time to meet the stated deadline.
  • These terms of reference expire upon the completion of the work or upon a motion passed by the Committee to this effect.

Budget

It is not anticipated that a budget will be required to bring this plan to fruition.

Discuss this page