Background

Co-chaired by Terri Bullock, Chair of the Board, and Gail Landis, Governance Committee Chair, the Strategic Planning Task Force collaborated throughout summer, autumn and early winter under the guidance of a professional management consultant. Throughout the process, the committee worked through a series of input mechanisms and information processes including research on best practices for nonprofits, similar work by our sister collective giving organizations and numerous good governance materials.
The planning research showed strong support for our mission and wide participation of our members. This is a wonderful reflection of the dedication and commitment of women in our community to engage in philanthropic work for the benefit of all. The rapid expansion in membership is exciting and, inherently, brings with it a clear need for organizational structure – the building blocks – that will enable us, as volunteers, to consistently deliver on our philanthropic promise.
Initiatives
To achieve the goal of continuing to fulfill and sustain our mission, the plan consists of two initiatives:
1) Leadership Development
Design and implement the Wood River Women’s Foundation Leadership Development Program to foster the identification, recruitment and experiential preparation of rising leaders across the organization.
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The WRWF rate of growth calls for an expanding circle of qualified leaders across the organization. These leaders must be drawn from the growing membership, identified, recruited and familiarized with the WRWF Standards of Governance and Operations.
Many thanks to the below volunteer members who participated in the Task Force
Strategic Plan Task Force
Co-Chairs Terri Bullock and Gail Landis
Kathleen Eder
Peggy Grove, WRWF President
Lynne Heidel
Marcia Liebich
2) Standards of Governance & Operation
Establish and employ the Wood River Women’s Foundation Standards of Governance & Operation to ensure effective operations and sound governance within a volunteer community of mutual support, accountability and transparency.
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As the WRWF continues to grow in membership, scope of interest and size of grant resources, it is imperative that the WRWF ensure consistency of performance year to year, thus ensuring the organization’s ability to fulfill and sustain mission. WRWF Standards of Governance & Operation must be developed to guide the board in its fiduciary, strategic and generative roles, while also fostering operational effectiveness, communication and accountability at all organizational levels.
The work of delivering results will take place over the next two years and will involve all WRWF committees. This plan is intentionally focused on designing and implementing the building blocks that will support our ability to deliver on our mission well into our future. These are critical scaffolding components for an organization that is reliant on volunteers to carry it forward.
Many thanks to the below WRWF Board and President’s Council Members
Participants in strategic planning board retreat
Terri Bullock, WRWF Vice President
Jan DeBard
Sandra Flattery
Margery Friedlander
Peggy Grove, WRWF President
Gail Landis
Terri LeFaivre
Marcia Liebich
Sandy McCullough
Sylvia Miller
Louisa Moats
Barbara Thrasher
Kat Vanden Heuvel
Gina Wolcott
Patti Zebrowski
Strategic Plan Updates
Highlights from the member survey
Last fall, all members were invited to participate in a survey in order to gain a clear and current picture of our membership. The number of responses was terrific – thanks to each of you who took the time to complete the online survey!
Members made it abundantly clear that they are both informed and focused on the WRWF mission with:
Here are some key takeaways:
These numbers are about as close to 100% as surveys get, a true confirmation that WRWF members are fully committed and engaged in contributing to the community through the mission of the Foundation.