ACSA is embarking on a Strategic Planning process that will involve participation of hundreds of ACSA members and allow the association to remain vital and relevant.

Participation in ACSA’s Strategic Plan assists the association and benefits the careers of those involved. First-hand experience with this Strategic Planning process will add value to work as a school leader and it will afford participants opportunities to network with ACSA colleagues from throughout the state about critical issues facing ACSA, schools and students.

“The ACSA Board is committed to ensuring extensive member engagement and involvement throughout the process. Our Strategic Planning goal is to ensure ACSA continuously creates systems to serve an extraordinary purpose,” said ACSA Interim Executive Director Karen Stapf Walters.

Because the success of the plan depends on member involvement, ACSA is soliciting applicants to serve on the Strategic Planning Team, which will consist of about 25 participants. All interested members are encouraged to complete an application and return it by the Sept. 7 deadline.

Participation on the Strategic Planning Team requires a time commitment of at least seven full days. Team members will be required to attend all of the following:

• A two-day Strategic Thinking session, Sept. 24-25, ACSA Ontario office;

• A three-day fall Strategic Planning session, Oct. 20-22, ACSA Ontario office; and

• An additional two-day Strategic Planning meeting in the spring (dates to be determined).

ACSA will reimburse participants for their hotel, travel costs and meals.

ACSA members can also participate in this process by serving on Action Teams that will follow up the work of the Strategic Planning Team. It is anticipated that about 100 members will be needed to create these Action Teams, which will meet during the months of January-May 2013. The application process for the Action Teams will be announced in October.

The timeline is very aggressive, with the ACSA Board of Directors scheduled to approve a final plan at its meeting in July of 2013.

ACSA has created a webpage that highlights the association’s Strategic Planning work and includes the project timeline, background information, and application forms. Visit www.acsa.org/strategicplanning. Additional questions can be directed to Julie White at jwhite@acsa.org.