Club Visioning

Club VisioningCharting a five-year strategic plan for the Rotary Club of La Crosse

BE EXCITED! ANIMATED! SMILE! SLOW DOWN!

I am pleased to introduce you to Visioning and the first of many steps that well take along the way between July 1, 2011 and June 30, 2016.

In most cases I prefer to speak from the floor. But because we have a lot of information to share in not a lot of time, Ill opt for the podium and convenience of a built-in clock.1Todays agenda Define Visioning Share overview of process Report common themes Summarize focus areas/priorities Communicate next steps2Visioning, definedRotary International initiative

Worldwide initiative but unique to each club. Visioning helps us identify specific priority areas in which to apply our collective energy and provides the information we need to chart a path to June 2016.

3Visioning, definedRotary International initiativeFree-form brainstorming session to assess our priorities

The conversation was fast-moving and spirited. We proceeded with the idea that no idea is a bad idea. Encouraged to think outside of the nine dots. There are no boundaries, no restrictions, no obstacles.

Dream big. 4Visioning, definedRotary International initiativeFree-form brainstorming session to assess our prioritiesConsequential, forward-thinking

Organizations that aspire to grow must be vigilant in seeking and seizing without hesitation new opportunities that align with their strategic plan their vision.5Visioning, defined Skating to where the puck is going to be Gretzky

In the words of the great philosopher Gretzky, who in an interview with Sports Illustrated attributed his success to Skating to where the puck is going to be, not to where it has been.

Were not only skating to where the puck is going to be, but where we want it to be five years from now. If Gretzky can be the greatest hockey player, why cant we be the greatest Rotary club in the state? Or the world?6The ProcessBy the numbers: Who? What?Plusses and minuses 7One dark and lonely night 30 volunteers8One dark and lonely night 30 volunteers4 Rotary-trained facilitators9One dark and lonely night 30 volunteers4 Rotary-trained facilitators4 and one-half hours10One dark and lonely night 30 volunteersFour Rotary-trained facilitatorsFour and one-half hours12 focus areas11One dark and lonely night 30 volunteersFour Rotary-trained facilitatorsFour and one-half hours12 focus areas246 unique ideas

12One dark and lonely night 30 volunteersFour Rotary-trained facilitatorsFour and one-half hours12 focus areas246 unique ideas2,160 sticky dots

Sara will explain the significance of the dots in a few minutes

13One dark and lonely night 30 volunteersFour Rotary-trained facilitatorsFour and one-half hours12 focus areas246 unique ideas2160 dotsAnd 48 flip charts 14One dark and lonely night converged in a nebulous swirl from which emerged several common themes.Remember the sludge test from chemistry in which you were given a beaker full of goo and asked to break down the sample and identify the individual elements that were part of the goo?

The same concept applies here. Take the byproduct of our brainstorming session, a 48-page blob of information, and reduce it to digestible, actionable bits.15Key learnings (and what we already knew), abridgedPositive attributesThree simple words define our purpose: Service Above SelfClub Visioning demands that we examine ourselves from within while taking account of how others see us.

It reminds us what were doing well and areas where there is room for improvement.

The Positives

Three simple words conveyed by the Rotary motto capture the essence of what we represent and what we value.

16Key learnings (and what we already knew), abridgedPositive attributesThree simple words define our purpose: Service Above Self We are the areas premier service clubPeople who are new to the area seek out our club. Professionals who wish to become more involved in community service seek our club. Humanitarians who understand our commitment to Service Above Self want to be part of our club.

And darn it, its no secret that we know how to have fun!17Key learnings (and what we already knew), abridgedPositive attributes Three simple words define our purpose: Service Above Self We are the areas premier service club Serving underserved and vulnerable people/populations is at the core of our work

We are champions for the needy people who need access to basic health care the hungry, the thirsty and the homeless those who are illiterate and the oppressed.

As Rotarians, we feel an emotional obligation to help others. Looking away is not an option.18Key learnings (and what we already knew), abridgedPositive attributesRotarians are difference-makers, locally and internationally

And we can prove it, locally and internationally individually and in partnership with other clubs in our area and around the world.

19Key learnings (and what we already knew), abridgedPositive attributesRotarians are difference-makers, locally and internationallyWe are not a club of check-writers, but of doers

Rotary is a service organization. A roll-up-our-sleeves-and-lets-get-to-work attitude is pervasive in the Rotary Club of La Crosse. Rarely do we fall short of volunteers to be part of a committee, service project or program when asked.

Many volunteer before being asked.

20Key learnings (and what we already knew), abridged The Minnesota Vikings are the best.

Oops dont know how that slide got there.21Key learnings(and what we already knew), abridgedNegative attributes:

We are rich, old and white

Are there areas in which we can improve the perception of our club, internally and externally? Of course.

Fortunately, these are perceptions we can change if we exert the effort.22Key learnings(and what we already knew), abridgedNegative attributes:

We are rich, old and white We are always asking for money

23Key learnings(and what we already knew), abridgedNegative attributes:

We are rich, old and white We are always asking for money Our members know little about the Rotary Foundation and how monies are allocated

24Key learnings(and what we already knew), abridgedNegative attributes:

We could do more to recruit, attract and retain younger members (