I like a genealogy society that is transparent. I like a society that has nothing to hide, shares its plans with its members, and invites input. Doing so can only make the society stronger and more vibrant.
I especially like what Bob Eccleston, president of the Alberta Family Histories Society (AFHS), and his board have done. After serving as president for 11 months, Mr. Eccleston has posted his President’s Report on the society’s website for all to see, posted the AFHS’ detailed two-year strategic plan, and shared the questions for the members survey.
SWOT exercise
The AFHS strategic plan was developed by conducting a SWOT exercise “with the objective of identifying our Strengths, our Weaknesses, our Opportunities and our Threats.” Members of the board and committee chairs took part in the exercise.
Each participant was asked at the beginning of the first strategic planning session to state their personal objectives for the session and what they saw as the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. The results of this session are included at the beginning of the plan.
Seven categories
AFHS divides its strategies, objectives, and actions into seven categories. Likely, other genealogy society would produce a similar list.
- Ensure financial sustainability. Address loss of revenue.
- Social media and communications. Address social media, new website, and creating connections with new members.
- Volunteers. Address burnout of volunteers, volunteer coordinator, and aging membership.
- Membership growth and engagement. Address aging membership, creating connections with new members, and proactive membership effort.
- Obtain suitable property for library and meetings. Address loss of library property, location big enough for meetings and library.
- Improve process/documentation. Address lack of process and documentation and loss of people’s existing research.
- Ensure inclusion of previous AFHS objectives. Incorporate objectives, strategies and action items for the other “core” AFHS activities, such as education, library and research, visibility and public relations, programs and events, projects, SIGs and SIGlets, etc.
You can read the President’s Report and download the strategic plan and members survey on the AFHS website.
Congratulations to the Alberta Family Histories Society for working hard to ensure their future and for doing the right thing.
