Background

In 2020, the OBFS Board began a formal Strategic Planning Process, after much discussion over the previous two years. The last comprehensive strategic plan was completed in 2004 for the time period 2005-2010, so the OBFS Board felt the need to update the strategic plan. Several issues had emerged that warranted a new strategic plan, including branding and marketing efforts, diversity initiatives, general member support, potential paid staff and website enhancement.  In June of 2020, the OBFS Board held a virtual planning retreat to determine the priority areas for a new five year strategic plan.

 

Priority Areas

Five priority areas were identified from the initial strategic planning retreat.

1. Collaborations 
2. Human Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion 
3. Membership Support, Recruitment, and Retention
4. Raising Awareness and Advocacy
5. Sustainability

 

Goals and Objectives: For each priority area, goals and specific objectives were developed, along with action items to achieve these goals. 

Priority Area Goals and Objectives Collaborations Facilitate intra OBFS membership partnerships and collaborations Assess current partnerships  Facilitate inter OBFS and other organization partnerships and collaborations Assess current partnerships Promote collaborative efforts for professional development and training across field stations Document current efforts of professional development opportunities among OBFS stations Discuss cross-cutting topics with other Strategic Plan Priority teams Human Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion View all OBFS policies and actions through the lens of promoting and ensuring DEI Conduct a needs assessment with guidance and input from a diverse group, including individuals from underrepresented groups Ensure that OBFS supports best standards and practices for DEI within the organization and across stations Improve and incentivize training opportunities, professional development, and broadened participation around areas of DEI at all OBFS events Improve and expand relationships with diverse user groups Determine what needs these communities have; what are the barriers to participating in field station work Distribute outreach material describing the work of field stations and marine labs, OBFS, and the benefits to these communities for engaging in activities Develop a comprehensive financial plan to support DEI efforts Harness financial resources to support DEI efforts at a broad scale Provide financial support for DEI work at the individual- , station-, and community- level Membership Support, Recruitment, Retention Develop a comprehensive, interactive, and user-friendly website Improve the OBFS website functionality and aesthetics Develop and facilitate useful, engaging meetings and trainings To keep the open, collaborative, and inclusive nature of our annual meeting intact as our organization grows Determine subjects/need for special trainings or topical mini-conferences that provide support for member stations and possibly non-member stations Understand membership trends and facilitate effective communication Perform baseline assessment in membership trends Improve general and targeted communication between stations and members Raising Awareness and Advocacy Raise awareness of the benefits of OBFS for field stations Establish formal ambassadors for OBFS Build a strong base of support among members to support the OBFS mission with a coordinated message Two pronged: a) Maintain the enthusiasm of our new members who attend meetings b) engage members who are unable to attend Gather best practices regarding communication and member service from other organizations and share information with them Raise awareness and visibility of OBFS to the outside world Support development team and development events Support communications team Maximize OBFS exposure through the website Sustainability Implement effective and efficient organizational operations Sustain good governance (through transitions and beyond) Optimize effectiveness of membership participation Ensure organizational financial stability Help support the sustainability of member stations Provide manuals, templates and other resources related to operations and maintenance of Stations

 

Implementation of the Plan

A plan is only as good as its implementation. To achieve the goals and objectives of the plan and to complete the associated action items, the OBFS Board identified responsible parties (individuals, committees, and mechanisms) for each aspect of the plan. Each standing committee of OBFS was assigned those action items that pertain to the charge and purview of the respective committee. At each quarterly board meeting, a review of the status of the plan and the action items is made.  Further, at each annual meeting, a report of the strategic plan is presented during the Business meeting. Lastly, an ongoing status report, including action items completed and expenses incurred will be posted on the OBFS website with regular updates to ensure accountability and transparency.

 

Vision Statement

Through the successful implementation of the plan, it is the vision that:

By 2026 OBFS will be an indispensable resource for the Field Station community, enhancing the value and sustainability of its members, with fairness, integrity, transparency, and inclusivity.