Strategic Plan

NSPRA/OHIO STRATEGIC PLAN 2001-2006

Mission

The mission of NSPRA/Ohio is to strengthen education by:

• Assisting members in listening to and communicating with their publics.
• Enhancing the image and role of public relations in educational management.

Goals

The Goals and responsibilities to support this mission are:

1. To promote the practice of school public relations by demonstrating the professionalism of the organization and its members
2. To enhance the value of membership
3. To increase networking opportunities for members
4. To develop members’ professional skills
5. To monitor and influence public policy

Action Plans

To promote the practice of school public relations by demonstrating the professionalism of the organization and its members

• Increase the number of accredited NSPRA/Ohio members by at least 100%
  1. Organize accreditation study groups within the northwest, northeast, southwest, southeast and central regions of the state.
  2. Sponsor the oral and written components of the accreditation process in our state.
• Expand NSPRA/Ohio’s marketing and programming to school boards
  1. Market presentations such as Why Should I Hire A School PR Person?.
  2. Promote the organization to Board members and encourage them to have representatives from their district to sign up.
  3. Offer media training to Board members and their superintendents.

To enhance the value of membership

• Improve membership retention from 43% to 60%.
1. Follow-up on member “dropouts.”
• Every new member will receive a “welcome kit” and a welcoming phone call from a Board member.
• Every member requesting assistance will be contacted by a veteran mentor.
1. Use membership applications to identify members requesting assistance and veterans willing to serve as mentors.
• Every NSPRA/Ohio member will be contacted by the organization at least once a month.
  1. Implement and use technologies such as E-mail, listserv, and the NSPRA/Ohio Web site.
  2. Provide “bonus” information to members so they feel knowledgeable and prepared about educational issues.
• The Executive Board will issue to members an annual report focusing on member benefits.
• NSPRA/Ohio will communicate with its members quarterly, promoting the availability of resources and electronic materials available on the organization’s Web site.
• NSPRA/Ohio communications will recognize members for their professional accomplishments.

To increase networking opportunities for members

• Every NSPRA/Ohio member will have at least five opportunities to network with colleagues during the year.
  1. NSPRA/Ohio vice presidents will research members’ needs and organize workshops/meetings to meet those needs.
  • Regional meetings/conferences will be promoted to the entire membership.
  2. State conferences will offer more time and activities for members to interact with each other.
     • Round table discussions with topics identified by members.
     • Pre-conference small group gatherings for various groups (e.g., urban districts, new members, etc.).
     • Allow time for “Power Networking”—time at the start of each conference to network.

To develop members’ professional skills

• NSPRA/Ohio will conduct a membership needs assessment and develop its conference programming, publications and other communiqués to meet those needs.
• NSPRA/Ohio will sponsor at least two state conferences per year.
• NSPRA/Ohio will provide members with electronic newsletters and tip sheets at least six times per year; Members without E-mail will receive materials via fax.

To monitor and influence public policy

• The Executive Board on a monthly basis will monitor pending legislation and assess its impact on education and/or school communicators.
• The Executive Board will notify members of any impacting legislation, develop a position statement and urge members to support the organization’s position by contacting their local representatives.
• When appropriate, the Executive Board will testify before the Ohio House and Senate to share its position on pending legislation that impacts education and/or school communicators.