Links Inc.
Arlington (VA) Chapter
Strategic Plan
2011-2015
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Vision Statement
Vision Statement
To be a premier organization of professional
women promoting friendship and providing
services to improve the quality of life in the
Arlington and Alexandria, Virginia
communities.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Mission Statement
Mission
To promote civic, cultural, and educational
programs for the benefit of its members
and the Arlington and Alexandria
communities and to enrich the lives of its
members by working to promote friendship
and to develop interest in common goals of
achievement.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Goals
•
National Priority 1: Deliver and Sustain Transformational Programs (This
area involves designing and conducting programs that are community relevant and have a
positive, long-term impact. The community is engaged in the design, implementation and
delivery.)
•
Goal 1 – Update the community needs assessment results by surveying partners and
community stakeholders on needs of community by December 30, 2012.
•
Goal 2 - By program year 2012, increase the participation of students by 20% in the
national poster art contest in the Arlington and Alexandria Public Schools.
•
Goal 3 – By the end of program year 2013, increase the financial literacy of women in
Arlington and Alexandria through the “Wallet Wise and Links Academy” Initiatives by
30% and of girls through the “Young Finances and Life” Programs by 20% as
evidenced by pre and post test results
•
Goal 4 –By program year 2013, increase opportunities for residents in Arlington and
Alexandria to learn about heart disease and healthy living and increase the number of
participants in health program by 10%
•
Goal 5 –By the end of program year 2012, provide humanitarian outreach to people
from Haiti and African countries including health care, education and basic Human
needs by donating $10,000 by December 30, 2012
•
Goal 6 -By the end of program year 2013, increase Literacy and creative writing skills
of seventh graders at Hammond middle school by 20% through poetry writing
programs.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy - National Priority 1
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
1. Update the
community needs
assessment results
by surveying
partners and
community
stakeholders on
needs of
community by Dec
30, 2012.
Meet with community stakeholders and participants to
determine community needs. Administer community
survey to program participants.
Carla Johnson, Program Chair and
Facet Chairs
2. By program
year 2012,
increase the
participation of
students by 20%
in the national
poster art contest
in the Arlington
and Alexandria
Public Schools.
Inform community youth and implement a local poster
contest.
Janette Hoston Harris, Marion D.
Spraggins, Denise Bailey
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy - National Priority 1
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
3. By the end of program year 2013,
increase the financial literacy of
women in Arlington and Alexandria
through the “Wallet Wise and Links
Academy ” Initiatives by 30% and
girls through the “Young Finances
and Life” Programs by 20% as
evidenced by pre and post test results
Implement program that begins with a
pretest to determine baseline level of
knowledge, program intervention, and
posttest to determine post program
knowledge
Cheryl Jackson Lewis, Maia Jackson
4.By program year 2013, increase
opportunities for residents in
Arlington and Alexandria to learn
about heart disease and healthy living
and increase the number of
participants in health program by
10%
Implement program that begins with a
pretest to determine baseline level of
knowledge, program intervention, and
posttest to determine post program
knowledge
Nicholette Martin
5.By the end of program year 2012,
provide humanitarian outreach to
people from Haiti and African
countries including health care,
education and basic Human needs by
donating $10,000 by Dec. 30, 2012
Implement program that begins with a
pretest to determine baseline level of
knowledge, program intervention, and
posttest to determine post program
knowledge
Link Bridget Bailey Lipscomb, Link
Keisha Boggan
6. By the end of program year 2012,
increase Literacy and creative writing
skills of seventh graders at
Hammond middle school by 20%
through poetry writing programs.
Implement program that begins with a
pretest to determine baseline level of
knowledge, program intervention, and
posttest to determine post program
knowledge
Julia Pollard, Felecia Phillips-Welch
& Wendy Bostic
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Goals
•
National Priority 2: Enhanced Member Services and Engagement (This area
focuses on ensuring that members get what they need, when they need it, in the manner that is
appropriate and most effective for their utilization at all levels of the organization. It involves
embracing friendship, engaging in training, and communicating effectively.)
–
Goal 1 By 2012 Chapter assessment will be conducted on 100% of chapter members in
August of each program year to review member satisfaction and opportunities for
enhanced engagement
–
Goal 2 Hold Chapter retreat in August of each program year with 75% participation in
2012 Chapter retreat and increase participation by 10% each year
–
Goal 3 Beginning in 2012 and each year until 2014, chapter members identify a member
services initiative at the Chapter retreat and endorsed by at least 75% of the membership
to implement during the program year (ex: increased fellowship opportunities, alumna
celebration day, healthy links buddy etc.)
–
Goal 4 By the end of 2012, 100% of chapter members who have been in the chapter for
less than 3 years will be partnered with a seasoned chapter member to structure
membership engagement opportunities and assist in maintaining chapter profile
–
Goal 5 Disseminate chapter newsletter and information on chapter events to 100% of
alumna members by 2012
–
Goal 6 100% of alumna members will be partnered with an active chapter member by the
end of 2012
–
Goal 7 By the end of 2013, 100% of alumna members will be engaged and attend at least
one chapter meeting and one chapter activity
–
Goal 8 By the end of 2013, 100% of chapter members will express satisfaction with their
involvement in the Arlington Chapter
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 2
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
1. By 2012 Chapter
assessment will be
conducted on 100%
of chapter members
in August of each
program year to
review member
satisfaction and
opportunities for
enhanced
engagement
Update the survey to include questions targeted to
chapter member engagement. Disseminate survey to all
members on August 1 and analyze data to present to
the members. Use the information as a tool for
discussion and chapter planning.
Kimberly Jeffries Leonard, Lavern
Chatman Brown, Membership
Committee Chair Evelyn Brown
2. Hold Chapter
retreat in August of
each program year
with 75%
participation in
2012 Chapter
retreat and increase
participation by
10% each year
Plan membership retreat for members.
Membership Committee Chair Evelyn
Brown, Membership Committee
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 2
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible Parties
3. Beginning in 2012 and each year
until 2014, chapter members identify a
member services initiative at the
Chapter retreat and endorsed by at
least 75% of the membership to
implement during the program year.
Based on information in the
membership survey and from member
recommendations at the Chapter
retreat, identify three potential member
services initiatives for members to
choose from. A 75% endorsement of
the membership present will be needed
to adopt the initiative. Action plans
will be delineated at the Retreat for
implementation and midpoint and end
of the year assessment tools will be put
in place to determine success of the
initiative.
Evelyn Brown, Membership
Committee, Retreat Committee,
Lavern Chatman Brown, Kimberly
Jeffries Leonard, Communications
Committee.
4. By the end of 2012, 100% of
chapter members who have been in the
chapter for less than 3 years will be
partnered with a seasoned chapter
member to structure membership
engagement opportunities and assist in
maintaining chapter profile
The Vice President of Membership
and the Chapter Leadership Team will
use the Chapter survey to partner
newer and more seasoned Links as
buddies. Buddies will be charged with
submitting ideas for member
engagement and submitting relevant
member information to the Vice
President of Membership in order to
develop and maintain the Chapter
Membership Profile. The Vice
President will utilize the information
to structure member engagement
activities and to develop a Chapter
membership profile document that
delineates the attributes of the Chapter
membership. This will be posted on
the Chapter website.
Vice President Evelyn Brown and
Chapter Officers.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 2
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
5. Disseminate chapter newsletter and
information on chapter events to
100% of alumna members by 2012
Identify ways in which alumna
members receive information and
disseminate chapter newsletter and
chapter information to members in
appropriate format. Alumna member
buddy follow up with alumna member
to ensure that the alumna Link has
received the information.
Corresponding secretary
6. 100% of alumna members will be
partnered with an active chapter
member by the end of 2012
Vice President will assign active
members to buddy with Alumna
members. Buddies will be charged
with maintaining contact with the
alumna member.
Vice President Evelyn Brown
7. By the end of 2013, 100% of
alumna members will be engaged and
attend at least one chapter meeting
and one chapter activity
Alumna member buddies will engage
the alumna member and identity at
least one chapter meeting and one
chapter activity for the member to
attend. The buddy will ensure
transportation needs are met and other
needs as necessary.
Vice President Evelyn Brown and
alumna member buddies (active
chapter members)
8. By the end of 2013, 100% of
chapter members will express their
satisfaction with the Arlington
Chapter.
Chapter survey will be disseminated
to determine member satisfaction with
the Chapter. This will be done in
August of each program year.
Vice President Evelyn Brown and
Survey Chairs Kimberly Jeffries
Leonard and Lavern Chatman Brown.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Goals
•
National Priority 3: Fund Development and Fiscal Responsibility
(This area involves ensuring that the organization has adequate
resources to support its strategic priorities at all levels. It focuses on
transparency, accountability and good stewardship.)
– Goal 1 – To Have 100% retention of chapter records by 2012.
– Goal 2 – Train 100% of the membership on IRS procedures to ensure
that all guidelines and standards are adhered to.
– Goal 3 – Produce clean financial audits FY2011 -2015.
– Goal 4 – Develop an overall sponsorship tool to increase program
partners by 20% to support and sustain chapter programs for 20112015.
– Goal 5 – Develop corporate sponsor brochures for fundraising events;
Golf, Monte Carlo, Holiday Party for 2011-2012.
– Goal 6 – Increase 2009 profits by 10% for our main fundraiser “Monte
Carlo” in March, 2012.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 3
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
1. To Have 100%
retention of
chapter records
Pull all records together, determine what to
keep, how long to retain, and format.
Archives Chair, Lula Lang Jeter
2. Train 100% of
the membership
on IRS
procedures to
ensure that
acting guidelines
and standards
are adhered to.
Use chapter meetings, chapter newsletter and
other email communications to update and
train the membership monthly.
Treasurer, Evelyn Gee
3. Produce a
clean audit 2011
-2015
Maintain chapter records and work with auditor
to complete timely and clean audit.
Treasurer, Evelyn Gee
4. Develop an
overall
sponsorship tool
to increase
program partners
by 20% to
support and
sustain chapter
programs for
2011-2015.
Design and develop with a graphic artist a
professional brochure, pamphlets, and
handouts on chapter programs.
Corp Sponsor Chair, Lavern
Chatman & Committee
Members
Use the model and template used for Ethics
training of all chapter members.
Engage members for prospective sponsors.
Meet with prospective program partners to
solicit funds and support for chapter programs.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 3
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
5. Develop corporate sponsor
brochures for fundraising
events; Golf, Monte Carlo,
Holiday Party for 2011-2012.
Design and develop with a
graphic artist a professional
brochure, pamphlets, and
handouts on chapter programs
and fundraising opportunities.
Corp Sponsor Chair, Lavern
Chatman & Committee
Members
Engage members for
prospective sponsors.
Meet with prospective
corporate partners to solicit
funds and support for chapter
programs.
6. Increase 2009 profits by
10% for our main fundraiser
“Monte Carlo” in March, 2012.
Engage membership in 2012
Monte Carlo Fundraiser.
Hold successful Monte Carlo
event March 2012.
Monte Carlo Chairs, Emily
Bryant & Evelyn Brown &
Committee Members
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Goals
•
National Priority 4: Organizational Assessment and
Alignment (This area involves evaluating all aspects of the
organization, including but not limited to membership, leaders,
programs, partners, funders, chapters, staff, etc. The data is used to
facilitate connecting all aspects of the organization.)
–
Goal 1 – Update chapter demographic survey to include new members by
December 30, 2011.
–
Goal 2 - Update chapter history and archives by April 30, 2012
–
Goal 3 - Develop process to select up to seven charities/nonprofits to
ensure they align with the chapters mission in order to be recipients of our
funding grants by December 30, 2012.
–
Goal 4 - Have 30% of chapter members participate in the health walk and
collaborate with other chapters on October 18, 2012.
–
Goal 5 - Collaborate with four local Link chapters ,The Northern Virginia
Urban League, two Boule groups on our Red Dress Heart Health activity
February 2012, and increase to seven Link chapters by Feb 2013
–
Goal 6 - Deliver refresher Ethics Training to 100% of membership by April
30, 2012.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 4
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
1. Update
chapter
demographic
survey to
include new
members by
Use the survey monkey tool that was
established two years ago to update and add
new members.
Membership Committee Chair,
Evelyn Brown, Survey Chairs,
Lavern Chatman & Kim Jeffries
Leonard
2. Update
chapter history
and archives by
April 30, 2012
Engage Archive Committee.
Use Links, Inc. tools and templates to gather
history and archives.
Archive Chair, Lula Lang Jeter
and Archive Committee
Members
3. Develop
process to
select up to
seven
charities/nonpro
fits to ensure
they align with
the chapters
mission in order
to be recipients
of our funding
grants by 12/12.
Form Committee to access and evaluate
current nonprofit partners.
President, Shirley Bowden,
Facet Chairs and final vote by
membership.
Dec 30, 2011.
Award grants to current charities December
2011.
Develop criteria and process for members to
nominate nonprofit partners for 2012.
Have membership vote on all partners to
receive grants for 2012.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 4
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
4. Have 30% of chapter
members participate in the
health walk and collaborate
with other chapters on October
18, 2011
Use chapter newsletter to
inform members of health walk.
Chair Health & Human
Services, Nickie Martin
Use chapter meetings to have
members sign up for health
walk.
Assign members to carry
chapter banner at health walk.
5. Collaborate with four local
Link chapters , the Urban
League, two Boule groups on
our Red Dress Heart Health
activity February 2012, and
increase to seven Link
chapters by Feb 2013
Meet with area chapters to
save the date and collaborate
6. Deliver refresher Ethics
Training to 100% of
Incorporate into monthly
meetings ethics training, skits,
questionnaires to engage and
reach old/new members.
membership by April 30, 2012.
on Feb 2012 activity.
President Shirley Bowden,
Health & Human Services
Chair, Nickie Martin, National
Trends Chair, Cheryl Lewis
Plan and implement 5th Annual
Red Dress Heart Health event.
Have all members sign off on
ethics training by end of
program year, April 30, 2012.
Ethics Chair, and Ethics
Committee Members
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Goals
•
National Priority 5: Leadership Development (This area involves
training leaders at all levels of the organization including chapters,
area, and national. Members are prepared to lead within the
organization to ensure consistency, continuity and manage
intergenerational opportunities.
– Goal 1 – Support chapter members running for area and national
leadership positions 2011- 2013.
– Goal 2 – Use Chapter Demographic survey to have chapter officers
and committee leadership reflect age range of membership by
December 2013.
– Goal 3 - Ensure at least 10% of chapter officers participate in the
Eastern Area leadership forum September 2012.
– Goal 4 - Conduct Protocol Training to 100% of chapter members by
April 30, 2012
– Goal 5 – Have at least 30% of chapter membership participate in
Links, Inc., 65th Anniversary activities.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 5
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
1. Support
chapter
members
running for area
and national
leadership
positions 20112013.
Encourage members to join area and national
committees.
Chapter President, Shirley
Bowden, Vice President, Evelyn
Brown and all chapter
members.
2. Use Chapter
Demographic
survey to have
chapter officers
and committee
leadership
reflect age
range of
membership by
Dec. 2013.
Use surveymonkey instrument to update
member demographics.
3 . Ensure at
least 10% of
chapter officers
participate in the
Eastern Area
leadership forum
September
2012.
Use chapter newsletter, emails and meeting to
inform members about leadership forum.
Support members who are participating on
area and national committees.
Encourage members to read area and national
newsletters and attend area and national
conferences.
Survey chairs, Lavern Chatman
and Kim Jeffries Leonard
Send out surveymonkey to new members with
deadline of December 2011 to complete
survey.
Compile membership information annually and
present summary to chapter.
President, Shirley Bowden and
VP, Evelyn Brown
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 5
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
4. Conduct Protocol Training to
100% of chapter members by
April 30, 2012
Place protocol training on two
meeting agendas.
Protocol Chair, Julia Pollard,
Parliamentarian, Karen
Johnson
Use monthly chapter newsletter
to publish protocol tidbits
5 . Have at least 30% of
chapter membership participate
in Links, Inc., 65th Anniversary
activities.
Use monthly chapter newsletter
to make members aware of all
65th Anniv. events.
Move chapter meeting time so
members can participate in 65th
Anniv. events.
Charter a bus to transport
member to 65th Anniv . events.
President, Shirley Bowden
Transportation Chair, Julia
Pollard
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Goals
•
National Priority 6: Promote Links Brand (This area includes
reaching consensus about who we are, what we do and the value we
bring. We communicate and collaborate effectively both internally and
externally.)
–
Goal 1. Increase awareness of Arlington Chapter by 50% at chapter
programs and sponsored events for 2011-2012.
–
Goal 2. Donate $100 to Yo-Kids to have imprinted bags for our youth
programs 2011-1012.
–
Goal 3. Complete “Reflections of the Arlington Chapter of The Links, Inc.
booklet by June 2013 to include 100% of membership.
–
Goal 4. Launch and maintain chapter website by October 2011
–
Goal 5. Produce monthly chapter newsletter 2011-2012.
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 6
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
1. Increase
awareness of
Arlington
Chapter by 50%
at chapter
programs and
sponsored
events for 20112012.
Distribute promotional items at chapter
sponsored events and to our community
partners.
PR Committee, Michelle Bailey,
Lauren Parker
2. Donate $100
to Yo-Kids to
have imprinted
bags for our
youth programs
2011-1012.
Distribute bags to youth at Hoffman-Boston
school for multicultural night.
3. Complete
“Reflections of
the Arlington
Chapter of The
Links, Inc.
booklet by Jun3
2013 to include
100% of
membership.
Continue data collection of new members,
transfer members to include in reflections
book.
Form Marketing Committee to work on all
promotional items.
Have consistent branding on all materials
reviewed by the marketing committee
Carla Johnson, Debra Long
Doyle, Michelle Bailey
Distribute bags to youth and parents to events
at all schools supported by chapter programs
Compile list of area partners and locations to
distribute reflections book in the community.
Keisha Bogan, Wendy Bostic,
Lauren Parker, Maia Jackson
Arlington (VA) Chapter of The Links, Inc.
Implementation Strategy – National Priority 6
Goal #
Action Plan
Responsible
Parties
4. Launch and maintain chapter
website by October 2011
Design chapter website
Wendy Bostic and PR
Committee
Compile sponsorship language
into website
Print website address on all
program materials
5. Produce monthly chapter
newsletter 2011-2012.
Solicit monthly articles from
membership and distribute to
members and alumnae
members.
Lauren Parker