Planning for the Future

 

(The following information was provided by Chris Chasin.)

Planning for the future is important to ensure the continued health, sustainability, and growth of any organization, and it has been a long time since IRM last engaged in strategic planning.  Thanks to a targeted grant from a local foundation, we are now starting on a long-range strategic plan.

The consulting firm Solid Ground has been retained to conduct an information-gathering process to learn more about our operations, the successes that we have achieved, and the areas that we are hoping to further develop.  As part of that process, Chris Chasin and Logan Smith have been conducting a survey of museum visitors, which will be running again this Saturday outside the diner.  A consultant also came to campus to conduct listening sessions with department heads and key volunteers who the Strategic Planning Committee felt provided a cross-section of the museum’s membership.  We expect to also survey volunteers to learn more about their volunteer experiences, goals for the museum, and opinions on what could be improved.

Eventually, the consultants will work with the Board and the Museum's leadership to identify specific goals to ensure the Museum's sustainability, and the steps needed to reach them.  Once a strategic plan is developed, Solid Ground will work with the Museum's volunteers to successfully implement the plan.

The bottom line is that the planning process has only begun, and major changes will not be made until all members have had a chance to contribute to the final result.   You will be kept informed by Museum management as the process continues.