Field Guide to Strategic Planning For Associations
(Updated March 2009)
The strategic planning process is key in helping an organization develop a vision of where it will be in the future and determining the best ways to turn that vision into reality. This page includes articles, books, and other resources on all aspects of strategic planning, from beginning the process to monitoring its implementation after the plan has been worked out. Also included are the strategic plan of the NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS® and sample strategic plans from RARE, NAR's resource exchange for state and local REALTOR® associations. (F. Heller, Manager, Virtual Library & Archives)
NAR's Strategic Plan and Association Resources
NAR Strategic Plan: 2009-2001 (approved Nov. 2008) - NAR's strategic plan at-a-glance and a PDF version of the full strategic planning document can be found on this page.
REALTOR® Association Models Online Planning Tool - Use this online questionnaire to help assess your association's current situation and plans for the future.
REALTOR® Association Resource Exchange (RARE), (National Association of REALTORS® - Information Central).- Use the purple menu at the top to browse sample STRATEGIC PLANS from various REALTOR® organizations around the country.
Cycle of Change Report (2008) - The 2008 AEC Strategic Issues Work Group, facilitated by Jerry Matthews, CAE, Advisor, introduces the latest issues and trends report titled "Cycle of Change."
Strategic Planning: Getting Started
Strategy management for associations: From issues to action, (Journal of Association Leadership, Fall 2006).
Success planning: Create your best strategic plan, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Fall 2004).
Planning complications? Whether long or short, detailed or general, a good plan will help you avoid impulsive decisions and guide your organization toward success, (CA Magazine, Dec. 2002).
What strategy is -- and isn't, (CA Magazine, Sept. 2002).
A beginner's guide to strategic planning, (The Futurist, Apr. 1998). Q
Filling in the Details
Formulating effective strategies, (Association Magazine, Aug./Sept. 2008).
The Perils of Strategic Planning: In a word, strategic planning stinks. Oh, it might do some good for some people, but all in all, the idea should be scrapped in favor of business practices that embrace flexibility, (Associations Now, Aug. 2008).
The Next Traditions of Associations 3.0: The next generation of association leadership is starting to take shape—Associations 3.0—but the traditions that got us this far can’t take us to the next level, (Associations Now, Mar. 2008).
Needed: A better grasp of strategic planning; Answer these questions to create a strategic plan that'll make your vision a reality, (Nonprofit World, Sept./Oct. 2006). Q
Building strategic capacity by design: Strategic planning can't begin and end with a static document. It has to bend and flex with the forces that shape the future, (Executive Update, May 2005).
Living strategy: Guiding your association through the rugged landscape ahead, (Journal of Association Leadership, Winter 2004).
Four steps to better goal setting, (REALTOR® Association Executive, Fall 2004).
What To Do When the Plan Is Done
Three simple steps to activate your strategic plan, (Nonprofit World, Sept./Oct. 2008). Q
Keys to successful strategy implementation, (Association Magazine, Feb./Mar. 2008).
Creating line of sight between employees and strategy, (Strategic Communication Management, Dec. 2006/Jan. 2007). Q
Monitoring return on strategy, (Association Management, Oct. 2004). Q
Implementing strategy: Tap into the power of four key factors to deliver success, (Strategic Finance, June 2004). Q
Translating strategy into effective implementation: Dispelling the myths and highlighting what works, (Strategy & Leadership, Vol. 31, No. 1, 2003). Q
President's Podcast: Strategic Planning for Associations
Plan for a successful 2009 with these important tips! For association leaders, 2008 NAR President Dick Gaylord joins California Association of REALTORS® EVP Joel Singer to get advice on how a strategic plan can better serve their members.
Strategic Planning Websites
Steps to Competitiveness: Strategic Planning, (Industry Canada). - Includes step-by-step guidelines and downloadable forms and templates to use in the strategic planning process. Use the menu on the far left to navigate to different sections of this site.
Association for Strategic Planning - Professional organization for those involved in strategic planning processes. Includes book reviews, website links, etc.
PlanOnline.org, (Center for Strategic Planning). - Articles, tips, resources, and sample strategic plans for small businesses and organizations.
eBooks & Other Resources
eBooks.realtor.org
The following ebooks and digital audiobooks are available to NAR members:
Strategic Planning for Nonprofit Organizations: A Practical Guide and Workbook (Adobe eReader)
The Long Tail: Why the Future of Business is Selling Less of More (Adobe eReader)
The Manager's Guide to Strategy (Adobe eReader)
Creating and Implementing Your Strategic Plan: A Workbook for Public and Nonprofit Organizations (Adobe eReader)
Breakthrough Thinking for Nonprofit Organizations: Creative Strategies for Extraordinary Results (Adobe eReader)
Books, Videos, Research Reports & More
The resources below are available for loan through Information Central. Up to three books, tapes, CDs and/or DVDs can be borrowed for 30 days from the Library for a nominal fee of $10. Call Information Central at 800.874.6500 for assistance.
Financial and strategic management for nonprofit organizations, By Herrington J. Bryce, (San Francisco: Jossey Bass, 2000).
Strategic Planning for Association Executives, By Gerald L. Gordon, (Washington, DC: American Society of Association Executives, 1997).
Strategic Planning and the Nonprofit Board, By Dabney G. Park, Jr., (Washington, DC: National Center for Nonprofit Boards, 1990).
Strategic Planning: A Step-by-Step Manual, (Chicago, IL: NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF REALTORS®, 1985).
Field Guides & More
These Field Guides and other resources in the Virtual Library may also be of interest:
Field Guide to Association Budgets & Reserves
Field Guide to Communication for Associations
>> Have an idea for a new Field Guide? Click here to send us your suggestions!
The inclusion of links on this Field Guide does not imply endorsement by the National Association of REALTORS®. NAR makes no representations about whether the content of any external sites which may be linked to this Field Guide complies with state or federal laws or regulations or with applicable NAR policies. These links are provided for your convenience only and you rely on them at your own risk.
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