Strategic Plan
I. Introduction by the President of the Board
Welcome to the Women Network!
The Women Network (WN) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization focused on uniting women of color nationwide. We are dedicated to working with women of color from the Asian, Asian-Pacific Islander, Hispanic, African and Native American descent. This organization aspires to unify women with similar interest to enable them to become active citizens in society and their respective communities.
The mission of WN is to serve as an educational, networking, and social organization. We are committed to bringing together women of color around the issues of health and wellness, professional/personal aspirations, community involvement, and political awareness.
The Women Network’s charge is to unite and empower women of color in order to work towards eliminating the societal barriers that disenfranchise women of color and future generations. As a collective unite we can inspire women to work together on issues and topics that affect our way of life and create lasting change within our communities.
This strategic plan outlines our steps for structuring and stewardship the Women Network for years to come. The values, goals, and strategies outlined here represent the core of our organizational beliefs and ethical values. The strategic plan also provides a microscopic view of our pledge to maintain and fulfill the moral, social, and fiscal responsibility in continuing development of our families, communities and society as a whole.
We welcome you to become part of a movement to change our lives and communities. This movement will embody the past we share, the present we embrace, and the future we will define!
Again, welcome and always remember to Inspire to Aspire.
Inspiringly yours,
LaTosha Frink
Founder and President
Tarsha McCrae
Co-Founder
II. Executive Summary
This Strategic Plan contains the mission, vision, goals, and strategies for the building and growth of The Women Network (WN). This plan outlines our strategy for development, growth and maintenance for the next 3 years. The plan allows for flexibility and revision as needed to guide the organization in the coming years.
III. Organizational Profile and History
Founded in 2004, the Women Network (WN) is a 501(c) 3 nonprofit organization aimed to serve as a vehicle for women from underrepresented racial/ethnic groups to share their knowledge and experiences for the purpose of equipping them with the skills to help themselves and their communities. The founders of WN envisioned helping women of color and their communities achieve all that is possible and link women to services that will enhance their lives. The founders have seen first hand the harmful effects that social injustice and poverty have on communities of color and because of this they have dedicated themselves to serve in capacities to directly help neighborhoods and participate on committees and join coalitions. The WN will work with women of color from African, Asian, Hispanic/Latino, Native American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander descent. In order to eliminate the societal barriers that disenfranchise women of color, the WN plans to unite women of color to work together on issues and topics that affect our way of life.
IV. Mission, Values, & Vision
Mission Statement
To serve as an educational, networking, & social organization to unite women of color around the issues of health & wellness, professional/professional aspirations, financial development, community involvement, & political awareness
Vision Statement
Empower and sustain a zealous and incandescent future for women of color and their communities by:
• Enhancing educational and economic opportunities
• Promoting business collaborations to cultivate community economic growth
• Supporting and promoting the advancement of women of color through personal and career development services
• Providing programs that offer mental and physical support for healthier lives
• Improving the quality of life of communities through mentoring partnerships and promoting civic participation through political awareness
Values Statement
“We inspire to”
Instill a sense of embodiment to women of color by providing high quality programs and services related to important aspects of their livelihoods.
“We aspire to”
Develop a solid cohesive network to support opportunities for women of color and their communities.
Shared Values
• Respect
• Integrity
• Accountability
• Personal Achievement
• Educational Advancement
• Professional Growth
• Community Building
• Cultural/ Ethnic Bridging
Guiding Principles
• We share a passionate dedication to increase opportunities for women of color.
• We commit ourselves to honesty, integrity and the highest professional and ethical standards.
• We believe in the power of cross cultural/ethnic building - to create value for all our members and stakeholders.
• We dedicate ourselves to the professional and personal growth of our members.
• We will embody the past we share, the present we embrace, and the future we will define for our communities
• We welcome the involvement of all who share the mission of our organization.
V. Management Goals & Objectives
Goal 1
Implement a phased approach to organize women of color nationwide around the issues of health and wellness, professional/personal aspirations, community involvement, and political awareness
Strategies:
1. Recruit and sustain an active membership of 200 members and associates in the Metropolitan DC area by end of fiscal year 2006
2. Develop chapters and expand the membership base to a national level by year 2007
3. Sponsor integrated high quality workshops and seminars focused on each major WN program division that foster member needs
4. Promote collaborations with other non-profit, for-profit and/or volunteer organizations in developing feasible methods to foster member growth and development
5. Solicit funding from various sources to support the planning, implementation, evaluation and sustainability of WN efforts
Goal 2
To provide educational programs, workshops, seminars, & community events
Strategies:
1. Attract and retain highly qualified and diverse instructors by providing competitive monetary compensation, professional growth and development
2. Address the needs of diverse learners by promoting cultural and social multi-prong approach
3. Collaborate with corporations, government agencies, community representatives and organizations to produce quality events and services
4. Improve quality and accessibility of program and services
Goal 3
To focus on the continuous development & improvement of WN infrastructure operations
Strategies:
1. Evaluate the impact to the community and emphasize continuous improvement of administrative and program services
2. Perform an annual review of program and services to reassess community needs
3. Review and update an outreach strategy to attain, maintain and improve members, donors and sponsors services and enrollment
4. Develop multi-faceted marketing initiatives that promote WN, create new opportunities for communication with stakeholders, & incorporate efforts to gain recognition of educational, cultural and social achievements
5. Provide annual training for staff for personal and professional development to aid in quality of service provided
Goal 4
Advance the personal development and the quality of life for our constituents
Strategies:
1. Provide a variety of events and activities that promote personal and community enrichment
2. Collaborate with regional businesses and corporations to produce quality programming
3. Present culturally diverse programming that provides intellectual leadership by stimulating debate and inquiry
4. Invest in educational, social, and service partnerships focused on economic improvement, community development and environmental qualities
VI. Program Goals and Objectives
Political Awareness and Education
Goal 1
Develop a professional repository of diverse subject matter experts to assist in workshops, seminars, and general events
Strategies:
1. The board of directors and management staff will conduct research for and interview qualified subject matter experts
2. Partner with professional associations and community organizations to attain facilitators to lead workshops, seminars, and events
Goal 2
Develop a curriculum to foster the following learning objectives:
• Citizen Empowerment – Increase personal knowledge of political process
• Community Empowerment – Increase members’ ability to work with the community to realize its ability to participate in influencing issues that affect their lives.
Strategies:
1. Utilize an academic approach that promotes decision-making skills in relation to citizen and human rights
2. Implement a phased review process to approve curriculum content and delivery
Financial Education
Goal 1
Establish a curriculum to foster the following learning objectives:
• To heighten and advance the comprehension and application of personal finances to strengthen participant’s personal financial structure
• To build financial responsibility and educating on the importance of saving, investing, and money management
Strategies:
1. Implement an instructive approach that promotes the development of intelligent consumer choices and personal finance decision-making skills
2. Utilize the financial industry as a resource and guide for ethical and industry, and professional standards
Goal 2
Offer hands on and illustrative methods to enforce program learning goals and healthy financial lifestyle
Strategies:
1. Use the WN Investment Club as a means to promote group learning by providing the participants an opportunity to work together in developing a financial portfolio and learning money management
2. Partner with financial organizations, corporations and advisors to provide educational opportunities to understand the financial industry and its influence on various consumer markets
Health and Wellness
Goal 1
Provide programs and services using diverse methods to reach a multi-cultural community of members to promote individual wellness and to understand social factors that influence health
Strategies:
1. Conduct focus groups to ensure specialized services and programming are being offered to WN constituents from multi-cultural backgrounds
2. Perform outreach to publicize events, accomplishments and disseminate program information
3. Sponsor seminars and workshops and participate in community health events and cultural and health observances
Goal 2
Incorporate best practices as WN measures of commitment in attaining program goals and meeting the needs of members
Strategies:
1. Connect members to mentoring and personal support services and programs
2. Raise awareness of the social determinant’s to one’s health
Community Development
Goal 1
Encourage and promote discussions and assessments of community statistics/characteristics to allow empowerment and growth
Strategies:
1. Develop action plans based on community input to alleviate social burdens that plague members neighborhoods
2. Distribute best practices that employ measures to allow for equitable allocation of public resources
Goal 2
Provide assistance to alleviate the cost associated with women in transition and promote independent living
Strategies:
1. Work in partnership with regional businesses and corporations to provide basic essentials for independent living.
2. Collaborate with area organizations and shelters to obtain referrals for individuals needing assistance
Education Development
Goal 1
To promote a learning environment through literacy, mentor programs, and seminars
Strategies:
1. Encourage the development of the whole person through integrated programming that fosters the development reading skills and cultivated mentor relationships
2. Develop a mentor program and curriculum and recruit positive role models to serve as mentors
Goal 2
Provide innovative and relevant multi-tier professional development programs
Strategies:
1. Develop multi-tier professional development curriculum and programs
2. Promote the development of the whole person through integrated programming that fosters the development of professional ethical values and leadership skills
3. Offer opportunities for lifelong learning
Goal 3
To discourage truancy and high school drop out rates
Strategies:
1. Coordinate with area schools and the community to host educational seminars and workshops
2. Establish a reading group to fortify varying literacy and reading skills
VII. Assessment of Progress
WN will assess progress towards these goals through a multi-prong approach:
• Annual Reviews
• Quarterly Program Evaluations
• Annual Employee Performance Base Evaluations
