Getting everyone on the same page is a challenge every organization, from small nonprofits to Fortune 500 companies, faces at some point. Understanding how an organization fits into an ever-changing competitive landscape is another continual challenge.

For a nonprofit to remain vital and vibrant, it needs to continually reassess its mission and continually evolve its strategic plan.

JVA works with dozens of organizations every year on strategic planning, surveying staff, board members and key constituents, researching trends affecting the organization, and convening staffs and boards in day-long planning sessions.

The Pennock Center for Counseling came to us for help creating a vision for the future that would be shared and supported by all members of the board and staff. The Affordable Care Act introduced both new opportunities and new challenges to health care providers, and when Pennock approached us, it was at a crossroads.

“We chose to work with JVA because the strategic planning process they proposed fit our organization’s needs and because of the experience and expertise of the staff,” said Jody Pierce, director for counseling.

“We found the process to be very positive, from the beginning through the strategic planning meeting and the final report.” Pierce said. “The actual planning process with our board and staff was carried out with professionalism, enthusiasm and knowledge. It was a lively, fun and interactive process that resulted in a doable plan with action steps that worked for our organization. The facilitators were attuned to our needs, kind and very skilled. We’d definitely look to JVA again for our consulting needs.”

Actionable plans are a hallmark of our strategic planning work.

“A plan that sits on a shelf and is seldom looked at does an organization almost no good,” our founder and CEO, Janine Vanderburg, said. “When JVA works with an agency to create a strategic plan, people usually agree that for the plan to work, everyone needs to accept responsibility. Together, we create timelines where individuals agree to accomplish important work in a timely fashion. Only when that happens does a plan actually become a catalyst for change and growth. A plan won’t change an organization, but executing it will.”