[Vision Statement] [SCOT Analysis] [Strengths] [Concerns] [Opportunities] [Threats] [Goals]
FIRST, A BIT OF HISTORY:
The planning process began in December 20, 2005 when the Father Jim and the parish council petitioned the Archdiocese of Milwaukee for assistance in updating its comprehensive strategic plan. The reason for the process was to refocus on common goals of the parish community. The immediate stated concerns were fewer people involved in liturgy, and various parish activities, and a growing shortage of funds. Focuses of interest were identified as liturgy, programs for youth and maintaining membership.
Working with Catherine O’Neill of the Archdiocese a preplanning committee presented a working plan to the council. The council approved the working plan and established the ad hoc planning committee. The planning committee met for the first time on May 17, 2006 with the objective of completing the plan within roughly a nine month time frame.
SECOND: THE VISIONING PROCESS:
The visioning process was the first major phase of the planning. It consisted of gathering information from a broad base of interested parishioners and staff. Many of you chose to participate in this process. During the visioning we reviewed the last strategic plan and talked in small groups about parish strengths, concerns, opportunities and threats. We focused attention on the major areas of parish participation which included worship, word service and general parish life.
The information collected in these sessions was summarized in a document that the planning committee has been referring to as the “SCOT Analysis” (strengths, concerns opportunities and threats). This document is four pages long and is dated 6/26/06. The four pages are labeled “Strengths” (1), “Concerns” (2), “Threats From Society and Outside Forces (3),” and “Opportunities”(4). This document was acknowledged by the parish council at its July 25, 2006 meeting. It is available for your study.
The planning committee took a further step to help us convert this information into action. It prepared a vision statement. The vision statement interprets the collected information and restates it in a way that provides direction and inspiration. The vision statement challenges us to grow into the kind of community that we would like to be.
The vision statement was approved by the parish council at its July 25, 2006 meeting.
THIRD, PLANNING:
The planning committee is translating the information from the visioning process into general goals. The goals will be completed and presented to the parish council at its August 22, 2006 meeting.
Once approved, the parish council will assign goals to various standing committees or ad hoc committees as the council decides. The committees will have the task of converting these goals into specific objectives and prioritizing the objectives.
The completed objectives and priorities will be returned to the parish council for review and approval.
FOURTH, CELEBRATION AND IMPLEMENTATION:
The planning process will be complete. Implementation will be in the hands of the parish council, staff, standing committees and sub-committees. There will likely be an implementation committee that will report to the council and monitor the implementation and update the plan annually.
Your participation will be crucial to the success of our parish. You are welcome to learn how to become involved by contacting a member of any of the committees, staff or a council member. The names, pictures and contact information for council members and the chairs of the standing committees will be displayed soon in the gathering place, in the parish bulletin and on the web page.
Parish Members participating on the committee include Anne Brantzeg, Boni Danner, Bob Flanagan, Ronan James, Father James Loehr - Pastor, Scott Schafer, June Wessa – Pastoral Associate, Dan Patrick, Angela Hendryx and Steve Nekola. Our consultant from the Archdiocese of Milwaukee is Catherine O’Neill. |
