IESA Strategic Planning

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Strategic Planning Process Under Way

The first-ever Strategic Planning process for the Illinois Elementary School Association is under way.

More than 30 volunteers from across the state met as the Planning Team Jan. 21-22 in Bloomington. At that two-day meeting, the Planning Team developed a set of recommended Beliefs, a set of recommended Strategies and a recommended new Mission Statement for the Association. These recommendations have been forwarded to the IESA Board of Directors for action. The Board's next regular quarterly meeting is scheduled for Friday, April 8, 2005.

Action teams will be appointed by the IESA Board of Directors to address any strategies approved by the Board. IESA Executive Director Steve Endsley said the Association would be recruiting volunteers to serve on the approved action teams. The Board of Directors will establish its own timetable for beginning and completing the work by any approved action team.

The Planning Team reached consensus on 10 beliefs:

Recommended Beliefs

• We believe the IESA creates equal opportunity for all students.
• We believe that the purpose of interscholastic activities is to provide the foundation for life skills.
• We believe the students IESA serves have unique needs and warrant a separate governing body.
• We believe the IESA should expand its leadership role statewide in interscholastic activities.
• We believe IESA and its member schools should actively teach and promote good sportsmanship and ethical behavior.
• We believe the IESA should constantly strive to improve opportunities for students.
• We believe in the value of participation to develop self esteem, personal growth and a sense of belonging.
• We believe in the value of recognizing excellence.
• We believe that all students deserve the right to participate in a safe environment.
• We believe the IESA believes that students deserve to be directed and/or coached by highly qualified personnel.

The Planning Team created a new mission statement that it has recommended to the Board of Directors.

Recommended Mission Statement

"The IESA will provide the leadership to ensure safe, equitable opportunities so students in our member schools can be enriched by participation in interscholastic activities which promote good sportsmanship, integrity and life skills."

After developing the beliefs and applying them to the creation of a new mission statement, the Planning Team then developed a dozen strategies:

Recommended Strategies

1. IESA will increase its membership.
2. IESA will provide equitable compensation to recruit and retain a highly qualified staff.
3. IESA will provide the appropriate financial resources to meet the mission of IESA.
4. IESA will provide the facilities necessary for IESA operations.
5. IESA will develop a comprehensive officials program.
6. IESA will develop a comprehensive judges program.
7. IESA will promote and improve good sportsmanship.
8. IESA will review the IESA Constitution.
9. IESA will review state series structure and state series administration.
10. IESA will improve communications through the interaction of the member schools in the Association.
11. IESA will promote an increase in member participation in fine arts activities.
12. IESA will enhance the recognition of excellence.