Discussion about creating a new brochure for IPAW. Steve Braker can design at cost of approximately $400 plus printing. WEPCO money can be used for a brochure. Board discussed using 2-color, line drawings (cheaper than photos). Nancy will write a draft of brochure, then board will review before it is printed. Cate Harrington of TNC likely to help edit. Motion made and carried to approve brochure design cost.

I. Introductions

Dan called meeting to order to start the strategic planning process.

Mindy Habecker, UW Extension Office, meeting facilitator was introduced to the group.

Meeting tasks:

·        Review the mission and major objectives.

·        Conduct "environmental assessment" of the organization.

·        Develop strategic issues IPAW needs to work on in the next 3-5 years and prioritize them.

·        Work in small groups to develop action plans on highest priority issues including development of milestones and evaluation of success.

II. Communications Guidelines for meeting

Reviewed communication guidelines as provided by facilitator.

III. Review Mission and Objectives

Current Mission: Advance understanding of invasive plants and encourage their control to promote stewardship of the natural resources of Wisconsin.

Discussed objectives. Gene is concerned about whether we have addressed helping to promote government policy re: invasives clearly in the objectives. This is not in bylaws currently. Jim pointed to 2-3 bylaws regarding education and communication with the public, we can also do this for legislative bodies, and promote public understanding. Board needs to be educated on percentage of resources we can spend on government activity without threatening 501c3 status. Gene believes it is 20%.

For future meeting: discuss amending objectives to include participation as advisory resource for legislation and other legislative activities.

Tim asked whether 501c3 needs to be part of mission statement. Mission statement can stand as is. "IPAW is a 501c3 organization." can be defined as such on brochures, but this does not have to be in mission.

IV. Environmental Assessment: Analysis of our current position (SWOT: Strength, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats)

Strategic Planning worksheet distributed. IPAW has existed for a year, board members were asked to reflect on:

1.         What are the internal weaknesses of IPAW?

Lack of a product.

Lack of time of board to work on projects

Small budget

Not enough members (around 120)

Time, everyone involved is a volunteer - no staff

No strong base of volunteer activity yet

Lack of educational effort

Not enough "doers", not enough administrative leadership

Uncertain geographic balance of members.

Low profile

Website issues: problems with design and how it is maintained.

2.         What are the external threats to IPAW?

Politics

Public apathy, threat or challenge?

Government budget restraints at all levels - state of WI, county, local. New programs will have a difficult time getting into budgets.

Other state organizations concerned about invasives (Wild Ones, Prairie Enthusiasts, Madison Audubon) - why do members need us?

Concerns from Natural Resource managers that IPAW is not doing enough yet.

Concern that there may be conflict among agriculture, industry and natural area interests.

3.         What are the internal strengths of IPAW?

Great board members who represent diverse and strong organizations.

  talented board members

organizational skills of board members

board members are determined to make this work

Strong mission with good focus on an important, statewide, regional problem.

Good communication. (Newsletter, web page, press, conference)

Nonprofit status.

The organization is in place (legal, structural aspects).

Potentially strong membership.

We have had people volunteer to help us, but not good procedure to capitalized on offers.

Authority to assist other groups efforts (i.e. grants, website, clearing house).

4.         What are the external opportunities to IPAW?

Opportunities to work with other organizations with similar interests.

Great interest, encouragement, support from other agencies (DNR, NRCS, EPA, UWEX, FWS, DATCP).

Potential to work with "like" organizations in bordering states.

Network with other EPPC's (Exotic Plant Pest Councils)

Seriousness and urgency of the problem.

Public enthusiasm.

Use of prepared materials, web and printed materials are available to us.

No other organization is exclusively focused on this problem. We can be the focus for invasive species for many groups (umbrella organization)

Opportunity to influence perceptions and actions related to the issue of invasive species.

Many people doing research on our issues.

V. Develop list of strategic issues and prioritize

Look at environmental analysis to determine which are strategic issues. Look at organizational strengths to address them.
If it falls under mission - strategic issue. Stay away from those that don't directly relate to mission.
Want to create a product that raises profile.
Formulate strategic issue as part of a question. Action planning will address the solution.

A list of strategic issues were generated and prioritized. Board members voted on those they felt were most important to work on now.

VI. Action Planning: Board members broke into small groups to develop action plans for the strategic issues with the highest number of votes. Time only allowed two issues to be discussed, so additional time must be scheduled, and groups formed to develop action plans for the other issues.

IPAW - Minutes Jun 02