Dear Susan,

I am in the middle of working on a strategic plan with a museum. You need
to identify your stakeholders, those you serve, such as members, visitors,
funders and even break those down into sub-groups. It helps to focus the
board on the mission and the extent of the mission. Everyone can see how
broad or narrow the focus is - do this in a group and make sure everyone
contributes.

Decide how long of a time period your plan should cover and the issues that
need to be addressed during that time. How are these issues influenced by
the mission? Or does the mission influence how you address the issues?
Fund-raising is usually an issue; who you ask for money should be left to
the proper committe and be part of the fiscal issue but not one alone.

If you need more information, please contact me off-list and I'll send my
bibliography. Good luck. Cheers!
Jennifer L. Williams


                    Better safe than assimilated.
                                     -Cmdr. Chakotay

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                              -Cmdr. Montgomery Scott