STRATEGIC PLAN AND COMMITTEE ACTION PLANS

WSE 2018-2019 STRATEGIC PLAN

INTRODUCTION

Word Service Education (WSE) was incorporated in 2013. In the relatively short span of time from incorporation until now, our association has grown and contributed to our field at an impressive pace. Official membership has topped 200, we represent over 15 countries and have held three successful international conferences. We have provided resources and training to people who do the important work of international credential assessment.

In order to meet the needs of our membership and continue to contribute to the world community by doing work that supports the movement of people across borders for educational, commercial and personal reasons, we need to plan. In September 2017 we completed a comprehensive process that resulted in this plan that will set the strategic direction of the organization in the years ahead.

PROCESS

The strategic planning process included the following:

Stakeholder input and information gathering: In order to understand the needs and goals of the association members and to review the association’s position in the international education environment, we collected data. We surveyed the WSE membership, all current WSE leaders, and all candidates for elected WSE positions. We gathered data on the current state of our association, on our external environment, and the international education community in which our members do their work.

Analysis of issues and trends by association leaders: WSE leaders and leader candidates met for an all-day retreat as part of the third annual meeting in Rome. At the meeting we reviewed our mission and operational principles, financial condition and accomplishments. Leaders reviewed member survey results, committee priorities and issues facing the association. An environmental scan and SWOT (strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats) analysis provided a context for our future direction.

AREAS OF FOCUS

After sifting through all the data, discussion and analysis, the group identified three major areas of focus. These, along with overarching goals, are:

• Certificate Program')}
  • By the end of 2019, have in place the Foundation Certificate and at least three subject-specific certificates to meet the needs of WSE members at all levels
• Professional Development
  • By the end of 2019, offer a comprehensive package of professional development programs that supports WSE members at all levels
• Finances
  • By the end of 2019, support the continued development of the Certificate Program, professional development and other programs, and maintain fiscal responsibility through a variety of revenue streams such as the annual conference, sponsorship, and program fees.

COMMITTEE ACTION PLANS

WSE standing and ad-hoc committees developed their annual action plans for 2018.

Committee for Standards (CFS) – Chair, Rolf Lofstad

The goals of the CFS are to

• Identify standards and best practices in the use of resources;
• Continuously refine and improve our four documents
  • The definition of the profession;
  • Statement of Ethics;
  • Common standards in the evaluation of international credentials;
  • Competency profile for credential evaluators.

Committee for Membership Outreach (CMO) – Chair, Jeremy Mixell

The CMO will

• Build membership outreach through
  • Creation of individual and institutional contact lists;
  • Postcard or small brochure highlighting member benefits;
  • Flyers and other messaging;
  • Development of membership goals by region;
  • Bi-annual membership reports.

Committee for Resources for Members (RMC) – Chair, Christopher Adams

Goals for the RMC include

• Continuing and further developing WSE Talk;
• Promoting and evaluating the Member Benefit Program;
• Creation of an interactive platform such as a listserv;
• Creation of a country database.

Committee for Professional Development (CPD) – Chair, Denise Benz

In the coming year, the CPD will

• Organize webinars;
• Work with the Certificate Committee to create professional development content;
• Update and maintain the Compendium of Professional Development Activities (“the Compendium”) – a list conferences, training opportunities, and other professional development opportunities around the world, arranged geographically;
• Develop a plan for providing research opportunities for members.

Committee for Government and Finance (CGF) – Chair, Margit Schatzman.

The goals of the CGF include

• Management of by-laws changes;
• Oversight of orientation for new leaders in the association;
• Budget;
• Standardized position descriptions for EB members;
• External review of finances.

Conference Committee (CC) 2018– Chair, Timothy Kell

The CC’s action plan for 2018 includes

• Choosing locations of the annual conferences;
• Identifying annual conference coordinators;
• Planning the 2018 and 2019 conferences, including the conference script;
• Developing a three-year conference planning calendar.

Committee for Marketing and Communications (CMC) – Chair, Shereen Mir-Jabbar

In 2018, the CMC will

• Develop communications lists for disseminating WSE information to members and non-members. Manage these lists (legal, storage, update and maintenance);
• Develop a marketing and communications calendar of activities, and collaborate with other committees in publicizing WSE events and activities;
• Develop a marketing strategy for the annual conference;
• Develop and maintain relationships with other higher education media to promote WSE;
• Work with the Resources for Members Committee to develop a blog for members;
• Collaborate with other committees and the EB in creating member surveys to inform professional development content offerings;
• Develop an email list (with opt-out feature) for members.

Certificate Committee (CC) – Chair, Kate Trayte Freeman

The CC’s goals are

• Maintain and expand Certificate offerings;
• Increase employer-recognition of WSE certificates.

Organizational Advancement Committee (OAC) – Chair, George Kacenga

Over the course of 2018, the OAC will

• Draft and execute a fundraising strategy; prioritize fundraising objectives;
• Establish a clear accounting of all donations and fundraising outcomes for WSE since its inception in 2013;
• Collaborate with Marketing and Communications to draft strategic messaging for past and potential donors with the objective of securing sustainable streams of donor revenue.

NEXT STEPS

Managing performance: Association leaders will set up systems of accountability and communication to ensure that goals are met and results are communicated to WSE members.

SUMMARY

The strategic planning process was successful due to the active participation of WSE members and leaders. A great deal of thoughtful detail and input by members not included in this report, but nonetheless recorded and noted, will help to guide leaders in their work. Continued input and volunteer contributions by many members have and will continue to make WSE a successful association. The strategic plan will help us remain focused on the needs and wishes of membership.

WSE will continue to serve its members as they contribute to the world community by doing work that supports the movement of people across borders for educational, commercial and personal reasons, building a stronger and better world.

Notes:

Those attending the strategic planning retreat included current leaders and 2018 leader candidates (Board and Committee Chairs): Christopher Adams, Cloud Bai-Yun, Jeanie Bell, Denise Benz, LesLee Clauson Eicher, Kate Freeman, Diana Hense, Rolf Lofstad, Shereen Mir-Jabbar, Lou Nunes, Margit Schatzman, and Jessica Stannard

Leaders unable to attend, but who contributed to the preparation and success of the strategic planning process include David Haynes, Marshall Houserman, George Kacenga, Ken Warren, and Robert Prather (Executive Director).