In any organization, change is most effective when it happens in collaboration with the whole team. When leadership embraces new systems or procedures early, implementation has a far more positive impact. Communicating and adapting from the beginning encourages employees to trust the change process and remain motivated to participate.
Staff are also more likely to offer innovative ideas and solutions that align with your mission if they feel included. If communication begins too late, it becomes much harder to get everyone on board. The camp and retreat industry is no exception when it comes to introducing and embracing change, especially through strategic planning. The earlier you involve others, the more likely your plans are to succeed.
To support you in implementing effective strategic plans, here are several ways to encourage communication from the start.
Many organizations work with consultants, like Kaleidoscope, Inc., during strategic planning because of the time and effort required. Between assessments, brainstorming, defining action steps, and creating ways to measure progress, there is a lot to consider.
So when should you let your constituents know that you plan to hire a consultant?
The answer: before your consultation even happens.
When you and your board know you will be meeting with a consultant, communication should begin immediately. Informing the right people early gives them time to think about the process, ask questions, and raise important considerations. Their input may surface topics you haven’t yet thought about and gives you insight into who may be more resistant to upcoming changes. Knowing this information helps you communicate more effectively.
Once you alert the right people, you can begin the deeper conversations that help shape your plans. The more involvement staff, leaders, volunteers, and donors have, the more likely they are to support progress.
Engage them by asking questions such as:
After structured discussion, give people a chance to dream. If they could redesign the camp themselves, what would it look like? Creating space for open imagination may reveal brilliant ideas worth incorporating.
Knowing the process — and the timeline that goes with it — helps people conceptualize transitions. It prepares staff for shifts in future responsibilities and keeps excitement growing. This is especially helpful for those who are more resistant to change.
Sharing a timeline also ensures more eyes are on the plan’s progress, which, alongside your consultant, helps keep everything on track. As details evolve, update the timeline so everyone remains aligned.
Keeping people invested requires consistent communication. Consider holding a quarterly meeting specifically for strategic plan updates. This time can be used to review progress, highlight teams or individuals who have met goals, and celebrate milestones.
Recognition boosts morale and reinforces the importance of meeting deadlines and objectives. Update meetings also ensure ongoing alignment with your mission and increase overall engagement.
If your organization is investing significant time and money into strategic planning, you need to understand the outcomes and measurements of success — and your team does too. They want to know their efforts and the organization’s resources are being used well.
Regular updates, whether by meeting or recurring email, help ensure everyone understands the plan’s impact. They also provide opportunities to identify adjustments that may be needed and to invite new ideas as the plan unfolds.
Strategic planning is one of the most effective ways to implement change and preserve the sustainability and vitality of your camp or retreat center. Getting your whole team on board is essential for working together toward shared goals, and that begins with communication from the very start of the process.
If you’re preparing to develop a strategic plan, book a call with us today. We would be honored to help guide you through the process and inspire growth within your organization.
