For many years, Camp Fire First Texas has had a three-year strategic plan. Last month, the council Board of Directors approved the new plan for 2018 – 2020. March 2017 may seem early to approve a plan that doesn’t begin for another nine months, but it’s really not. Staff begin their goal setting and planning for the next year during the summer, so having the direction that the board provides through adoption of a strategic plan is crucial.
Many volunteers and staff alike spent hours over the last year looking at trends, needs, and our purpose before developing a great plan for Camp Fire. Planning Vice President Jake Yarbrough shared a quote from Johann Wolfgang von Goethe that describes the reason for our priority on planning quite well: “The greatest thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving.” The new plan does an excellent job at providing the direction for the staff as we move forward.
The committee looked at some macro-level trends that will influence Camp Fire First Texas for the foreseeable future, among which were the growth in regional population, robust job growth, and the need for more people in middle-skill work to help sustain economic growth. Although growth is positive, the unfortunate reality in our area is that 28% of our city’s children live in poverty and there is a continued disparity in access to quality child care.
We re-defined our core values – how we conduct ourselves as an organization, what we hold inviolate. Our core values are pillars on which we build our purpose:
Health is vast. Most than just physical wellness, we believe in the holistic health of children, youth and families. We will always promote, protect and advocate for the entirety of our community and environment.
Love is the why and the how. It is a value born of respect and nurtured by commitment. Inspired by those we serve and driven by a belief in a healthier world, we see love as a means to a better end.
Outdoors lives inside us all. Nature should be respected and explored. We all have a sense of adventure and discovery that, when tapped through a connection with the environment opens profound pathways. There is no replacement for experiences outdoors.
Communities matter. We have a responsibility to build better communities and better citizens. Simultaneously, we believe that by actively involving the community to improve one child at a time, we change the world for all time.
Everyone must be included. Diversity and inclusion makes everything richer. We welcome all children, youth and adults into our tent. Period.
Learning is forever, starting today. Education is the cornerstone for the life well-lived. It can never start too early or last too long. We believe that youth development is best accomplished with well-trained caregivers, leaders and mentors.
Growth requires trust. All children and youth should have a safe, fun and nurturing environment in which to grow.
Our purpose is our reason for being and drives all of our actions: to change young lives for the better in our community. Inside and out.
Finally, we established the strategic imperatives for the next three years. Those can be summarized by three words: Viability. Influence. Participation. VIP. Easy to remember, but each of those words packs in some powerful meaning and direction.
Viability. We will develop and sustain the financial resources necessary to fulfill our mission.
Influence. Solidify our position as the leading authority in North Texas on early childhood, youth development and outdoor programs.
Participation. Grow the number of participants in high-quality, sustainable programs.
The board also adopted a “moonshot” – a goal that will align the focus of all strategic imperatives and allow the organization to serve more of the people in our community who need help. The Camp Fire moonshot is “to reach $20 million in total Council net assets by 2030 through focus on four key fiscal areas: leveraging the Foundation; managing operational resources/cash flow; optimizing general program funding; and streamlining special events.
We know that Camp Fire First Texas has a vital place in our community – today, tomorrow and well into the future. Our role must be guided exclusively by the mission we are compelled to fulfill. With a strategic plan focused in three key pillars – viability, influence and participation – we can help ensure the long-term success of the organization for years to come.
Thanks to Jake Yarbrough, Council Board Vice-Chairman for Planning, and the Strategic Planning Committee: Drenda Witt, Courtney Garner Lewis, Winjie Miao, Dr. Jared Cobb, Lauri Curtis Hadobas, Marilyn Gilbert, and the Camp Fire Leadership Team who worked together to develop the 2018 – 2020 Strategic Plan.
Ann Sheets is the President/CEO at Camp Fire First Texas. Ann has been a part of Camp Fire since childhood, beginning as a Blue Bird and later earning the WoHeLo Medallion as a youth member. As President/CEO of Camp Fire First Texas, Ann heads one of the largest and most active Camp Fire councils in the nation. She is a graduate of George Williams College, receiving a master’s degree in camping administration in 1977 and was recognized as the Distinguished Alumna in 2007. She was named the 2012 CFO of the Year – Non-Profit by the Fort Worth Business Press.
