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published on 09/09/2003
“Mountain Vision” Approved; Strategic Planning Process
By Contributed Article
At its Sept. 8 meeting, the Signal Mountain Town Council approved a proposal by Council member Robert White to engage residents in a public planning process to create a new strategic plan for the Town. The planning process will begin with a kickoff on Sept. 30 and will be guided by White and Vice Mayor Bill Leonard based on their business experience in creating corporate strategic plans.
Signal Mountain Mayor Jim Althaus applauded Leonard and White “for their foresight, wisdom and energy in taking on the most important work of initiating and implementing a strategic plan for the Town of Signal Mountain. This is hard time consuming and difficult work, but is very important in the guidance and leadership of our town.” He also appealed for town residents to join in the planning process, saying “No effective plan can be either developed or implemented without the dedicated interest and support of our citizenry. We need your help.”
Vice Mayor Leonard added, “This is a community process, not a political process. It is a wonderful opportunity for all of us to define and achieve these things that continue to make our community a shining star in this region. I hope we all participate to make the vision a reality.”
The Mountain Vision planning process will ask residents to participate in a series of 12 facilitated meetings over a five-month period. In addition to White and Leonard, several mountain leaders have agreed to serve as facilitators, including Hamilton County School Board Member Chip Baker; business owner Mark Shartle of the Grapevine; Lisa Hawkins, past chair of the Thrasher Gymnasium Committee; Art Dickerson, Signal Mountain Library board member; and Glenn Baird, co-chair of Friends of Signal Mountain High School.
Commenting on the length of the planning process, White said, “If you’re going to plan well, you have to be thorough, and you have to take some time. It is a demanding schedule of meetings, but it’s necessary to get a good product. I and the other facilitators are committed to make the planning process so interesting that people really want to come back and continue participating.”
At each stage of the planning process, residents will break into small facilitated groups to draft a portion of the plan, then come back together and combine their work into a composite draft.
In the first two meetings, residents will participate in an analysis of the town’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats, known as a “SWOT Analysis.” In subsequent meetings, they will agree on core values and a mission statement to guide the town plan. They will then develop goals, strategies, tactics and accountability.
When the completed plan is presented in March 2004, it will consist of two parts: a one-page summary stating the town’s shared values, mission, goals, strategies, tactics and accountability; and a one- to two-page action plan listing projects and who is responsible for them.
“The format is concise, so that everyone in the town can see what we’ve committed to do,” said White, who hopes to see the final plan posted in the town hall. “Achieving good results may take some work, but the plan will be very easy to understand and easy to use. This plan will guide the town, not sit on a shelf somewhere.”
The tentative meeting schedule is:
Sept. 30 Kick-Off and SWOT Analysis Introduction
Oct. 7 SWOT Analysis
Oct. 28 Core Values
Nov. 4 Mission Statement
Nov. 18 Goals
Dec. 2 Goals
Dec. 16 Strategies
Jan. 6 Strategies
Jan. 20 Tactics and Accountability
Feb. 3 Tactics and Accountability
Feb. 17 Tactics and Accountability
Mar. 2 Presentation of the Final Plan
Meetings will be held at the Mountain Arts Community Center (MACC) 809 Kentucky Avenue. Each session will be from 7-9 p.m. A catch-up meeting for citizens who missed previous meetings will be held at 6:30 p.m.
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