Mission Statement

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION of the Niagara Parks Commission School of Horticulture 2001-2002 Strategic Plan OUR FUTURE OPERATING ENVIRONMENT - A Five Year Look VISION - OUR PREFERRED FUTURE

The Alumni Association will significantly increase its membership through new and improved member services, more effective use of technology, Foundation growth, and active participation in the NPC redevelopment project.

MISSION - WHO WE ARE TODAY

The Alumni Association is a diverse team of graduates and friends who celebrate their affiliation with the NPCSOH through a variety of programs and services designed to support its members, the School and the highest professional standards of horticulture.

OUR KEY STRATEGIC THRUSTS:

BOARD DEVELOPMENT

To review and revise the current Board structure to ensure the incorporation of Vision, Management and Production activity and that these activities are assigned to specific members of the Board and subcommittee volunteers and to make revisions to the term of office where required (include consideration of the succession plan for the President - 1st vice president, 2nd vice president)

To prepare an Orientation Manual that includes Job Descriptions for Board members and subcommittee volunteers, the organization chart, etc.

To conduct an annual Board Orientation event To develop an annual Volunteer Professional Development Plan that provides the Board members and subcommittee volunteers with the skills necessary to excel at their respective and collective responsibilities

To develop a budget for volunteer compensation for travel, phone calls, etc.

To develop a volunteer recognition and appreciation program

FOUNDATION

To host a meeting with the Foundation in order to define their charter and clarify their relationship and any role confusion and to resolve any outstanding conflicts and/or issues

To conduct a Strategic Planning session with the Foundation in order to develop a clear plan for the future in partnership with the School and the Association as well as specific programs (planned giving, annual giving, earned revenue streams, etc. and financial targets)

To develop an Association based view on the need for and use of funds that might be provided by the Foundation

To diversify and increase the membership of the Foundation Board and to populate it with more fundraising experience relevant to the program mix identified within their Strategic Plan

To ensure that any future plans do not encroach on the Foundation’s current commitments that needs to be completed (i.e. Roland Duffy Dwarf Conifer Collection, the Roland Barnsley Landscape Architecture Book Collection, etc.)

MEMBERSHIP

To establish a Membership Subcommittee of the Board to help conduct the below listed item

To conduct an analysis of our graduate profiles in order to understand the appropriate marketing and sales strategy required to increase the membership.

To generate a statement of the value of membership (features and benefits) that may resonate with current and proposed members) and to solicit and retain members

To conduct a review of our current programs and services in terms of there value and make recommendations to the Board

To review our current associate and fellowship member sales activity for potential areas of improvement

NIAGARA PARKS COMMISSION REDEVELOPMENT

To complete the Alumni Association Position Paper to the proposed redevelopment plan of the NPC with clear "must have" and "hope to have outcomes" as it affects the School and the Association

To develop an agreement with the NPC on the role of the School and the Alumni Association within the plan

To recommend redesigning the process through which we provide our curriculum input (advance preparation, notification, etc.)

To develop a member communication plan that ensures they are informed of the progress of redevelopment, the role that the School and their Association is playing

To host appropriate events that solicit member opinions and ideas on those areas of the redevelopment plan that we can influence

PARTNERSHIPS

To explore the opportunity to merge our newsletter with other related professional organizations utilizing electronic technology

To find a partner to design and launch our website and link it with other relevant websites and consider the possible revenue potential

To explore the potential of a mutually beneficial relationship with other horticultural alumni associations across the country if and/or when a joint education program develops

To look for any potential partnerships in the United States, Australia, Europe, Japan and other appropriate global locations

TECHNOLOGY

To determine the feasibility of acquiring our own domain, website and independent server in order to control site quality and content, etc.

To design and launch the Association Website within the framework of the NPC site (logo, Mission, conference and events, contact information, educational info, etc.)

To investigate our current ability to produce an e version of the newsletter and continue the process of collecting member e addresses

To develop a schedule of Association volunteers with a digital camera who will agree to photograph key events in order to load images into our electronic version of the newsletter, the website, etc.

To work with the School to develop a sufficient level of computer technology for students and faculty.