Haywood Waterways Association
Planning for the Future, Planning for Success
Over the last two years, the HWA Board of Directors underwent a strategic planning process that culminated in the adoption of a Strategic Plan. The goal of the Plan is guide the Board's work now and into the future to ensure the continued success of Haywood Waterways. The Plan is a living document designed to be updated as goals and changes within the organization occur.
The planning process began with a "self assessment" retreat in September 2004. We used the Institute for Conservation Leadership's workbook "Benchmarking Your Organization's Development" to assess our strengths and weaknesses and evaluate our organizational management. Two areas of concern that could affect the sustainability of HWA became immediately evident. HWA has historically been heavily dependent upon grants for its operating income. Loss of a major grant could create a serious financial crisis and result in the loss of key staff. Second, a very small group of people was responsible for much of our work. Loss of a few critical members or staff could cause serious problems for HWA. If HWA was to remain successful, the Board needed to develop and implement a long-range management plan.
A strategic plan was needed, but we needed help creating it. HWA received a grant from the Community Foundation of Western NC to help underwrite the cost for a planning consultant. We chose the Institute for Conservation Leadership. They understood small conservation organizations like HWA, our management needs and were qualified to lead us through the strategic planning process. They also provided additional financial assistance through the Mott Foundation. The Institute and HWA share common interests in their missions and the Institute demonstrated a genuine interest in seeing HWA prosper.
We began the consultation process with a list of specific needs and objectives. Most of our major objectives were identified during the first Board retreat; however some were refined as we developed the strategic plan. The Board and staff knew we needed a funding strategy that would diversify our revenue sources and we wanted to begin building endowment and reserve accounts for those rainy days that inevitably come. We also wanted to make the best use of our Board and staff time. Rethinking some of our ways of doing business and the realignment of management duties were recommended by our consultants. Plans are underway to implement these changes and a new fundraising program.
Developing our strategic plan was a protracted, time consuming process. It involved the entire Board and staff, with a committee of five assigned to working through the details. We began by evaluating our strengths and weaknesses and then considered their relative importance. We also had members of the community complete a questionnaire that provided some good insight on the public's perception of HWA. After many hours of meetings, research and writing, the strategic plan was completed. The final plan is the consensus of the full Board and staff. It focuses on Board development, fundraising, public relations and a succession plan to ensure a smooth transition when current officers and staff leave HWA. It includes our philosophy and mission and the management actions necessary to maintain a strong organization.
HWA has a history of success. Working with our partners, we have leveraged very limited resources to produce some impressive results. Together we have written 44 successful grant applications that have brought more than $4.28 million to Haywood County. When you include the local matching contributions, over $6 million in education, storm water management, stream restoration and other projects have been accomplished. We want to build upon this success.
Engaging local businesses and the many talented folks in Haywood County will increase our effectiveness and strengthen us financially. How well we do this will, in part, determine the future of HWA. Our water resources benefit the entire community in many ways, aesthetically and financially. They contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in Haywood County. You can be a part of the local effort to help protect and conserve our water resources. Become involved with one of the HWA committees and include HWA on your list of charitable giving. Give as generously as you can. If you are a current member, please consider increasing your level of financial support. Let's keep HWA a strong, successful organization now and into the future. Our children and grandchildren will thank us.
Fund Raising
As an organization we have become increasingly dependent on local, state, and federal grants. The success we have achieved in securing grant funds has been phenomenal. The grant history supporting HWA programs in conjunction with our partners reveals that more than $4.3 million in grant funds and $2.7 million in matching funds have been secured for funding water quality projects. However, nearly 90% of HWA operating revenue now comes from this type of unreliable funding source. Therefore, it is critical we bolster additional funding sources to provide long-range financial stability for our programs and staff.
To address the critical need to establish consistent and reliable funding, the Board has set clearly defined and attainable fundraising goals. Our short term goal is to increase dues and donations from members to $16,950 per year beginning in 2007; this level of funding will help cover our annual operating budget. Our intermediate goal is to build a reserve fund of an additional $75,000 over the next five years; entitled the "Headwaters Challenge Fund", this revenue will be used to cover potential funding shortfalls of staff salaries. Our long term goal is to establish an Endowment Fund that will eventually provide interest revenue to help ensure the viability of HWA.
The Board of Directors is committed to the necessary strategic actions to realize these fundraising goals. The major strategies to be employed will include membership drives to attract new members and encourage membership renewal; special fundraising events during our annual membership meetings and local festivals; a major donor program targeting individuals and businesses; an end of year appeal for contributions; and a planned giving program.
Your Board of Directors is to be commended for its progress to date. Revenues from dues and donations have more than doubled since strategic plan implementation! Both the Headwaters Challenge Fund and Endowment Fund have been initiated thanks to generous donations from Board members. Standing committees have been restructured and Directors are actively guiding HWA work with renewed vigor.
While your Board has committed substantial personal time and money to fundraising efforts, HWA cannot hope to be successful without your help. Please consider further ways you as a member can contribute to the effort by increasing your level of membership dues and donations, convincing folks you know to join HWA, providing contact information for potential donors, or even volunteering to serve on a committee. The funds we collectively raise will ensure the continued success of Haywood Waterways Association and ultimately the long term protection of our precious waterways."
HWA is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt non-profit, charitable corporation.
Over the last two years, the HWA Board of Directors underwent a strategic planning process that culminated in the adoption of a Strategic Plan. The goal of the Plan is guide the Board's work now and into the future to ensure the continued success of Haywood Waterways. The Plan is a living document designed to be updated as goals and changes within the organization occur.
The planning process began with a "self assessment" retreat in September 2004. We used the Institute for Conservation Leadership's workbook "Benchmarking Your Organization's Development" to assess our strengths and weaknesses and evaluate our organizational management. Two areas of concern that could affect the sustainability of HWA became immediately evident. HWA has historically been heavily dependent upon grants for its operating income. Loss of a major grant could create a serious financial crisis and result in the loss of key staff. Second, a very small group of people was responsible for much of our work. Loss of a few critical members or staff could cause serious problems for HWA. If HWA was to remain successful, the Board needed to develop and implement a long-range management plan.
A strategic plan was needed, but we needed help creating it. HWA received a grant from the Community Foundation of Western NC to help underwrite the cost for a planning consultant. We chose the Institute for Conservation Leadership. They understood small conservation organizations like HWA, our management needs and were qualified to lead us through the strategic planning process. They also provided additional financial assistance through the Mott Foundation. The Institute and HWA share common interests in their missions and the Institute demonstrated a genuine interest in seeing HWA prosper.
We began the consultation process with a list of specific needs and objectives. Most of our major objectives were identified during the first Board retreat; however some were refined as we developed the strategic plan. The Board and staff knew we needed a funding strategy that would diversify our revenue sources and we wanted to begin building endowment and reserve accounts for those rainy days that inevitably come. We also wanted to make the best use of our Board and staff time. Rethinking some of our ways of doing business and the realignment of management duties were recommended by our consultants. Plans are underway to implement these changes and a new fundraising program.
Developing our strategic plan was a protracted, time consuming process. It involved the entire Board and staff, with a committee of five assigned to working through the details. We began by evaluating our strengths and weaknesses and then considered their relative importance. We also had members of the community complete a questionnaire that provided some good insight on the public's perception of HWA. After many hours of meetings, research and writing, the strategic plan was completed. The final plan is the consensus of the full Board and staff. It focuses on Board development, fundraising, public relations and a succession plan to ensure a smooth transition when current officers and staff leave HWA. It includes our philosophy and mission and the management actions necessary to maintain a strong organization.
HWA has a history of success. Working with our partners, we have leveraged very limited resources to produce some impressive results. Together we have written 44 successful grant applications that have brought more than $4.28 million to Haywood County. When you include the local matching contributions, over $6 million in education, storm water management, stream restoration and other projects have been accomplished. We want to build upon this success.
Engaging local businesses and the many talented folks in Haywood County will increase our effectiveness and strengthen us financially. How well we do this will, in part, determine the future of HWA. Our water resources benefit the entire community in many ways, aesthetically and financially. They contribute to the quality of life we enjoy in Haywood County. You can be a part of the local effort to help protect and conserve our water resources. Become involved with one of the HWA committees and include HWA on your list of charitable giving. Give as generously as you can. If you are a current member, please consider increasing your level of financial support. Let's keep HWA a strong, successful organization now and into the future. Our children and grandchildren will thank us.
As an organization we have become increasingly dependent on local, state, and federal grants. The success we have achieved in securing grant funds has been phenomenal. The grant history supporting HWA programs in conjunction with our partners reveals that more than $4.3 million in grant funds and $2.7 million in matching funds have been secured for funding water quality projects. However, nearly 90% of HWA operating revenue now comes from this type of unreliable funding source. Therefore, it is critical we bolster additional funding sources to provide long-range financial stability for our programs and staff.
To address the critical need to establish consistent and reliable funding, the Board has set clearly defined and attainable fundraising goals. Our short term goal is to increase dues and donations from members to $16,950 per year beginning in 2007; this level of funding will help cover our annual operating budget. Our intermediate goal is to build a reserve fund of an additional $75,000 over the next five years; entitled the "Headwaters Challenge Fund", this revenue will be used to cover potential funding shortfalls of staff salaries. Our long term goal is to establish an Endowment Fund that will eventually provide interest revenue to help ensure the viability of HWA.
The Board of Directors is committed to the necessary strategic actions to realize these fundraising goals. The major strategies to be employed will include membership drives to attract new members and encourage membership renewal; special fundraising events during our annual membership meetings and local festivals; a major donor program targeting individuals and businesses; an end of year appeal for contributions; and a planned giving program.
Your Board of Directors is to be commended for its progress to date. Revenues from dues and donations have more than doubled since strategic plan implementation! Both the Headwaters Challenge Fund and Endowment Fund have been initiated thanks to generous donations from Board members. Standing committees have been restructured and Directors are actively guiding HWA work with renewed vigor.
While your Board has committed substantial personal time and money to fundraising efforts, HWA cannot hope to be successful without your help. Please consider further ways you as a member can contribute to the effort by increasing your level of membership dues and donations, convincing folks you know to join HWA, providing contact information for potential donors, or even volunteering to serve on a committee. The funds we collectively raise will ensure the continued success of Haywood Waterways Association and ultimately the long term protection of our precious waterways."
HWA is a 501(c) 3 tax exempt non-profit, charitable corporation.
