The Board Member's Guide to Strategic Planning

Fisher Howe's enthusiasm, insight, and ability to clearlyarticulate the whats and hows of effective strategic planningprovides the reader with the tools to strenghten governance andmanage effectively, which leads to results.
--Lawrence W. Reger, president, National Institute for theConservation of Cultural Property

Howe's practical, no-nonsense approach demystifies the oftenintimidating planning process, showing why it is essential andproviding detailed instructions for successful execution.Presenting illustrative examples and straightforward action steps,Howe guides board members through each critical step, frompreparing and conducting the planning to production of strategicand operational plans. A quick, compact guide for busy nonprofitboard members by a veteran board member and sought-after consultantto non-profits. Foreword.

THE BOARD'S PERSPECTIVE ON STRATEGIC PLANNING.

Benefits of Strategic Planning.

The Board's Responsibility for Strategic Planning.

Examples of Strategic Planning from the Board Perspective.

The Language of Planning.

PREPARING FOR STRATEGIC PLANNING.

Plans for Planning.

Effective Planning Meetings and Retreats.

Using Consultants and Facilitators.

Examples of Boards Preparing for Strategic Planning.

Action Steps: Preparing for Strategic Planning.

CONDUCTING STRATEGIC PLANNING.

Clarifying the Mission: Purpose and Values.

Exploring Internal and External Environments.

Identifying the Critical Issues.

Articulating a Vision.

Examples of Strategic Planning Outcomes.

Action Steps: Conducting Strategic Planning.

FROM PLANNING TO ACTION.

Putting Together the Strategic Plan.

Creating Operational Plans.

Action Steps: Strategic and Operational Plans.

KEYS TO SUCCESSFUL PLANNING.

Principles of Successful Planning.

Final Tips.

Resources.

A. Often-Heard Objections to Strategic Planning -- and Replies toThem

B. A Sample Consulting Plan. "Finally a strategic planning book that doesn't use consultantjargon espousing the latest flavor of the month. Straight talk withreal life examples gives nonprofit boards and staff a case and roadmap for strategic planning." --Charles E. Snyder, president,National Cooperative Bank

"The Board Member's Guide to Strategic Planning is the result ofFisher Howe's robust commitment to the trustees and executives whoserve nonprofit organizations. Superbly organized with nine actualcase studies, uncomplicated in format and language, the book is oneof the year's most important calls to action." --Peter B. Relic,president, National Association of IndepAndent Schools

"A must read for board members looking to strengthen theirnonprofit organizations. Fisher Howe's enthusiasm, insight, andability to clearly articulate the whats and hows of effectivestrategic planning provides the reader with the tools to strengthengovernance and manage effectively, which leads to results. TheBoard Member's Guide to Strategic Planning is a welcome addition tothe literature currently available." --Lawrence W. Reger,president, National Institute for the Conservation of CulturalProperty

"How often do you get a book on management that holds yourinterest? Fisher Howe makes it a 'good read', and you learn. Don'tpass it up." --Robert W. Munson, president Rocky Mountain ElkFoundation FISHER HOWE is the author of The Board Member's Guide to Fund Raising (1991) and Welcome to the Board (1995). The former executive of the School of Advanced International Studies at Johns Hopkins University, he lives in Washington, DC. Nonprofit board members know that strategic planning can lay the foundation for strong governance, sound management, effective fund raising, and the solid evaluation of mission fulfillment. Unfortunately, board members also often avoid strategic planning — citing everything from lack of time and consultant cost to questioning the value of strategic planning if "things are going so well." This quick, easy-to-use, compact guide for busy nonprofit board members — written by Fisher Howe, a veteran board member and sought-after consultant to nonprofits — demonstrates how strategic planning need not be tedious, irrelevant, or expensive. In fact, it shows how strategic planning can generate interest, enthusiasm, and pride in the performance of an organization. Fisher Howe's practical, no-nonsense approach demystifies the often intimidating strategic planning process, shows why it is essential, and provides detailed instructions for successful execution. Offering illustrative examples and straightforward action steps, Howe guides board members through each critical phase:

• Putting strategic planning in perspective, from the benefits to the usual barriers to overcome
• Preparing for and conducting strategic planning — organization, procedures, and design
• Producing a logic-based future vision of the organization
• Producing the critical And products — strategic and operational plans

Working from actual case histories drawn from organizations with which he has consulted, Fisher Howe creates a blueprint from which both novice and experienced board members can construct their own strategic plan. A quick, compact guide for busy nonprofit board members by a veteran board member and sought-after consultant to nonprofits.Strategic planning lays the foundation for strong governance, sound management, effective fund raising, and the solid evaluation of mission fulfillment. Fisher Howe's practical, no-nonsense approach demystifies the often intimidating planning process, showing why it is essential and providing detailed instructions for successful execution. Presenting illustrative examples and straightforward action steps, Howe guides board members through each critical step, from preparing and conducting the planning to production of strategic and operational plans.