A Message From the Executive Director …

A Message From the Executive Director …

Later this spring and through the summer, the Athletic Union will be developing a five-year strategic plan. It is too easy in organizations like the Athletic Union to think since we know what happened last year; we know what is likely going to happen in the next year. The environment in which we live is changing, and it is essential we have a plan to adapt to this ever-changing environment. It is essential the Athletic Union take advantage of opportunities that will be created by these changes in our environment. And, it is a responsibility of our organization to have a vision for the long-term interests of interscholastic athletics and share that vision with the various constituencies that we serve.

A state athletic association is a unique organization and very similar to an athletic department at a college or university. We operate as a business within an educational environment. As a result of our environment, the educational interests of the student are the highest priority and must be considered with the objectives of operating as a business from an operational and fiscal standpoint. No business can thrive without a strategic plan, and no educational institution can thrive without a comprehensive strategic plan.

We have not previously had a formal strategic plan, and one can argue that the Athletic Union has historically operated successfully despite this. However, in order to best take advantage of our resources, to operate most efficiently, and to help ensure that in 2012 the interscholastic athletic programs in Iowa best serve the interests of the student participants and their schools, we believe the time is right for a formal strategic plan.

The core of any strategic plan is a statement of purpose. Why do we exist? Currently, our purpose or “mission statement” is as follows: “The purpose of this Union shall be: To promote, direct, protect and regulate amateur interscholastic relationship for junior high and secondary girls between member schools and to stimulate fair play, friendly rivalry and good sportsmanship among contestants, schools and communities throughout the State.”

This statement, while still holding true today, was written in October, 1970. At the very least, we need to have a thoughtful review to determine if that purpose best serves our students and schools, or if changes and additions are appropriate. While that statement held true in 1970, what is our mission for the students of today and tomorrow? When this statement of purpose was written, not all Iowa high schools offered athletics for girls; there were over 500 high schools in Iowa; volleyball, soccer and bowling were not offered; non-school participation opportunities were limited; and federal legislation later known as Title IX had not been drafted. Times have certainly changed.

The planning process will seek input from each member high school, starting through correspondence with superintendents later this month. Advisory committees will be called together jointly this spring for direct input from coaches and officials. Other school staff, coaches, athletic directors, students, officials and the general public will be offered opportunities for input at various stages in the process. Our Representative Council will use this input in June as it defines our purpose going forward, and objectives to meet that purpose, ahead of Board meetings later in the summer when we anticipate finalizing the plan. The plan will be provided to all schools and have a key place on our web site for public access as well.

The process we plan to follow, in its most simplified state, involves (1) finalizing our statement of purpose; (2) analysis and assumption of our current and future environments – which includes assessing the strengths and weaknesses of our organization; (3) prescribing objectives related to our purpose; (4) developing strategies for reaching those objectives; (5) developing our own internal operational plans and finally (6) developing an evaluation process to ensure we keep pace with the attainment of objectives and remain consistent to our purpose.

The first two steps are keys to the process, as they identify why we exist, and how we exist. The input from our various constituencies will be critical in these two stages. At the end of the day, it is the objectives prescribed in (3) above which lead us to meeting the mission our constituencies desire. Developing these objectives will be a key undertaking by our Council and Board.

The best possible program for students and the most efficient operation by our staff will come through management by objectives. While it is possible to exist by managing our organization by extrapolation (if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it); managing by crisis (fix problems when they arise); managing by subjectives (do your best to accomplish what you think should be done); or managing by hope (self-explanatory), a clear set of objectives developed after input from all parties who have a stake in our programs will serve as a road map. The objectives are our destination, the strategies are our route to the destination, our operational plans provide the departure for the trip and evaluation provides the road signs along the way which will show if we make a wrong turn, and help us get back on the best road to our destination (objectives).

The process is exciting. We aren’t looking to chart a new direction, but we are looking to chart a formal path that will lead our schools and our students to the best educational opportunity possible through their participation in interscholastic athletics. It can never be forgotten that the Athletic Union is a service organization. We are authorized to exist by the Department of Education to serve schools and students involved in interscholastic girls athletics. Our direction must reflect the needs and desires of our membership. This process offers a tremendous opportunity to ensure we continue to serve our membership.