STRATEGIC PLAN

2014-2019

Executive Summary At the July 2014 Board of Director’s meeting, the Board dedicated significant time

to: reviewing the Mission and Vision of the Association; discussing what the Association could look like in 5 years; a SWOT analysis of the Association; and

proposing new SMART goals and objectives. The intent of Board was to develop a

new strategic plan for 2014-2019.   

The Board of Director’s reviewed the current Vision and Mission.  

The Mission statement is: We shall preserve and enhance the highest quality publicly funded English Catholic Education in Ontario, enabling all our children to become contributing

members of the Church, School, Home and Society in accordance with the Catholic Faith.

 The Vision statement is:  

We shall support the preservation and enhancement of the highest quality publicly funded English Catholic Education in Ontario, enabling all our children to

become contributing members of the Church, School, Home and Society in accordance with the Catholic Faith.

To preserve and enhance publicly funded English Catholic Education

in Ontario.

The Board of Directors then conducted a SWOT (Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities and Threats) analysis reflecting on both internal and external environments. Using break-out groups, each group was asked to analyze a particular environment for the respective aspects. After a review of the SWOT analysis results, the Board took a “pulse” to see what needed attention, and be included in the Strategic Plan.

The following pages are scribed from the flip chart notes created during the strategic planning session.

SWOT Analysis  OUR WEAKNESSES External  Not known provincially by parents, boards and teachers Challenges from Parents Not part of Catholic Education Week Letter from President to new MoE

Internal

Lacking accountability Lack of visibility on Web Funds/volunteers – time Not all boards No media liaison Under-utilized calendar Not consistently responding Rules of Order Parishes and Boards – lack of recognition

SWOT Analysis  OUR STRENGTHS External   Good relationships (working) with CE Partners and provincial educational partners MoE – voice of parents – if they want feedback Most boards see the value of OAPCE support and encourage

Internal   Privilege platform not a public forum Only parents, not dependant on others Opportunity for Regional representation for all Catholic Boards Unified voice provincially Regional collaboration Diversity Skill sets of the Directors (SME/Resource Person) Ability to be responsive (Outreach and emergencies) Best practices

SWOT Analysis  

OUR THREATS External   One school system / Life Site News / PACE (T.Pierre) Apathetic parents / unsupportive priests / career vs. vocation teachers and school staff unfriendly

toward parents Media Complacency in society Social media – control / negative spin / etc (exclusion of those without the tech or access)

Internal  Need to know the history/experience Trust Learning to accept/respect different perspectives “Agree to Disagree” Not evolving Respecting tradition but allow innovation Poor time management Need to “get to the point” Find a solution and not having a Plan B (succession planning) Lack of communication Lack of leverage 21st Century tech

SWOT AnalysisOUR OPPORTUNITIES External   BRAG – showcase the successes of Catholic education / Graduates Catholic Bishops declare Sunday in May as Catholic Education Day Attract E/KP parents by OAPCE piece at registration in February+ Recognition at conference of year’s participation Social media – connecting/sharing/reaching/networking Shared resources with Catholic partners, talking/sharing at conferences/events,

presentations, and PD Community/Regional events/workshops to increase network and increase communication Strengthening the efforts of leaders of partner associations to support working together Open line of communication between the members of the Triad

 Internal   Each person brings to the table a myriad of resources, strengths and knowledge (USE IT!) Experience/history Diversity of our unique group (regionals) We are crazy, we are focused, focusing on what opportunities there are in our organization

(professionally we have a lot to offer – government, trainers, teachers, accountants, etc.) TEAM BUILDING

GOALS – INTERNAL

1. To have Mission & Vision statements that are relevant in today’s environment –

a. Determine if there are any significant changes in Catholic Education landscape done

b. Review the Mission & Vision statements of OAPCE in light of identified changes and update accordingly. done

 2. To create committee structure for Board of Directors.

Governance◦ Create committees including: Education, Religious or Faith,

Communication, Governance, Finance and Awards. done◦ Assign lead positions for committees, as well as members of

committees from present Board. done◦ Establish Terms of Reference for each Committee. All

Committees

3. To encourage Directors to take leadership roles within Board using their strengths and knowledge. Governance

a. Use biography, or others means of determining skills, strengths and knowledge. done

b. Encourage Directors to volunteer for at least 3 actions within Strategic Plan. done

 4. To increase use of Basecamp and internal communication.

Communicationa. Provide training to all Directors on use of Basecamp. (Lisa C )donea. Encourage use of calendar on Basecamp to enhance regional

collaboration. doneb. Investigate different means of online communication

(conference calls, skype, etc.) to be used during Board meetings for those not able to physically attend.

5. To re-affirm communication policies. Communication

a. Revisit communication policies.b. Encourage compliance to policies. 6. To promote and encourage “Team Building” within

Board of Directors. Faitha. Plan Team Building workshop to be presented at

Board of Directors meeting. 7. To increase representation of Regions on the Board

of Directors. Governancea. Identify barriers for Regions to have

representation.b. Have call out to PICs by March, to encourage new

Directors to come on Board in time for Conference.c. Have capability to have virtual representation

(conference call, skype call, etc.) Communication

8. To support and encourage Regional collaboration. Communication

a. Within Region, ask Board to put link to School Councils in newsletter. done

b. Within Region, contact all OAPCE reps to promote communication. Done where able

c. Across Regions, promote attendance at other’s meeting, or combine meetings by teleconference.

9. To encourage Directors and members to become familiar with history of OAPCE and Catholic Education. Communication

a. Add archives to website, to increase availability to members.b. Presentation on History by “OLD TIMERS”. 10, To include timelines for all assignments within Board of

Directors and encourage compliance to these. Governancea. Set timelines, president to follow up. done 

11. To encourage succession planning for Board of Directors. Governance

a. Get emails/give emails to all OAPCE reps in Region. Done where able

b. Director to be “teacher”, have an apprentice.

12. Develop an evaluation to be completed by Directors after each Board meeting (what they liked, did not like, why they were absent, etc.) Vice President done

a. What worked well at this meeting?b. If there was a presentation, would you bring the speaker again?c. Was there added value?d. What could be improved?e. What suggestions would you have for future meetings / future

presentations?f. As an OAPCE Director, you represent a Region, and your

attendance/participation is expected. If you were not able to attend, please provide a reason for your absence.

 

GOALS – EXTERNAL

1. To enhance the OAPCE online presence through social media Communication

a. Showcase relevant and recent information from each Region on the social media pages. Update frequency to be determined.

2. To promote and enhance the communication between OAPCE to the broader stakeholder community (the TRIAD) Communication

a. Ensure that monthly e-blasts address the message of Catholic Education. ongoing

b. Update the distribution list that is currently in Constant Contact with information received from Directors. ongoing

c. Ensure that the OAPCE website has current links to external resources and all the OAPCE Catholic Partners. ongoing

 3. To enhance visibility and recognition of OAPCE provincially –

parents, school boards, teachers, trustees and parishes. Communication

a. Enhance and promote partnerships with school boards, teachers, trustees and parishes.

b. Each Director to increase OAPCE database from their Region’s database.

4. To be involved in planning/participation in Catholic Education Week. Education

a. Director to contact School Board and volunteer to participate on Catholic Education Week committee.

b. OAPCE to contact OCSTA to suggest participation on committee. done

 5. To promote OAPCE in all Regions by using social media

and written communication. Communicationa. After an election, letter to be sent to new Trustees with

congratulations and introductions to OAPCE and Regional Director. done

b. Template letters made for: Welcome back, Christmas, end of year, Easter, and Remembrance Day and then given to Directors to customize.

c. Have link on OAPCE website to all School Boards and Directors.

6. To provide information to Kindergarten parents. Communicationa. Provide brochures or letter, bookmark, magnet etc. to be included in

welcome package at schools.b. Information must speak about how OAPCE is important to them.c. Attend presentations for these parents to provide information.d. Present opportunity for becoming OAPCE rep.

7. To showcase the successes of Catholic Education and our Graduates. Communication/Education

a. Showcase student activities and accomplishments throughout Region in newsletters, websites, etc.

b. Showcase Regional student accomplishments (activities, music, liturgy, artwork, etc.) at OAPCE conference. ongoing

c. Showcase student accomplishments on OAPCE newsletter, website, Facebook, etc.

 8. To highlight Best Practices and diversities, and share with all Regions.

Communicationa. Showcase Best Practices on OAPCE website, newsletter, etc.b. Share Best Practices through webinars.c. Provide links on website to Faith, curriculum, etc. done

9. To participate in community/regional events to increase networking and communication. Communication

a. Advertise community/regional events on OAPCE website, etc. ongoing

b. Share PRO grants between Regions.c. Provide schools with OAPCE plaque for special activities,

anniversaries, etc. Awards ongoing 10. To build an effective relationship with the provincial media

representatives such as: Globe & Mail; National Post; Toronto Star; Global TV; CBC; CTV; Salt & Light; and, Catholic Register. Communication

a. Assign a lead OAPCE Spokesperson (Public Relations Officer) b. Establish a provincial media list with educational (reporter)

contacts.

11. To create OAPCE position papers on current issues affecting Catholic Education in Ontario.

a. Select leads from the Board of Directors who have the expertise to respond to specific issues of concern.

b. The respective Directors are to create positions papers that can be distributed to the OAPCE community.

12. To strengthen working relationships with Educational Partners. ongoing

a. Invite partners to board meetings to present their organization, goals, etc, to allow Directors to put a face to a name and become more informed of other organizations.

13. To assign Directors to sit on Ministry of Education Committees and Working Tables. ongoing

a. President to assign Directors to Committees and Working Tables according to Director’s interests, strengths, availability and proximity.