Strategic Plan for the Future Direction of the Sorensen Institute

The following is an updated draft from the Strategic Planning
Committee of the Sorensen Institute's State Advisory Board.

A strategic plan is a long range set of carefully considered goals. It includes our “hopes”; it represents our “dreams of a grander operation”. It is, in a way, the songbook of Sorensen. This Plan articulates the path we intend to tread, when we are able. But, no strategy is worth the paper it’s written on without strong daily operations. That’s why annual support of Sorensen is so critical. After considering our strategy and if you like the way we are headed—if you agree with the way we think and plan—then please consider helping with an unrestricted annual gift in any amount you can afford. Every single gift helps a lot...truly. Your gift will make a difference. Either way, thanks so very much for reading more:

 

GOAL: A renewed and vigorous commitment to a fair balance of ideological participants in all of our programs. Staff and volunteer leaders must continue to work to correct any ideological imbalance in any of the programs by reaching out to party leaders and groups on both sides of the aisle to ensure a diverse and large applicant pool from all parts of the ideological spectrum.

  • Completed in 2009: The staff added a full-time recruiter for all programs; this person’s activity will insure a greater diversity, depth, and breadth of the applicant pools.
     
  • Begun in 2009, and still on-going: The Staff and Board members have personally committed to communicate the Sorensen mission clearly—as a nonpartisan organization that seeks to bring together often highly partisan individuals in well-balanced programs.

GOAL: Establish and identify the “Sorensen name” so that more people will know what the organization stands for and what it is that we do. Staff should continue to define and distribute an institution-wide branding plan to include at least:

  • Completed in 2009: Define a permanent “Brand” for SIPL, and create a simple, memorable “15-second Elevator Speech” and/or “tag line” that SIPL will use widely.
     
  • How do we improve? Provide multiple ways on our website and in other places to allow our constituents an easy way to suggest improvements that we might consider implementing.
     
  • Publish widely a clear explanation of the legacy of Tom Sorensen; emphasize his commitment to bipartisan civil discourse and his enthusiasm for public service.

 
GOAL: Expand and improve our Alumni relations and Alumni programs.

  • Create more alumni events such as alumni discussion conferences, social hours, and alumni trips that recreate the essence of the Sorensen experience.
     
  • Involve alumni in across-the-board recruiting efforts for Sorensen programs as well as ambassadors for the Institute in general outreach to more often show the Institute's flag, tout the mission, and create involved friends who feel a desire to support the institute and its programs. To learn more about investing in any of these efforts, please contact Colleen Smith.
     
  • Continue to develop a Mentor Program that connects youth program graduates with PLP graduates across Virginia. This would take staff time with no direct cash outlay.

 
GOAL: Continued development and expansion of all SIPL programs. Keep all our program expansion within the Commonwealth of Virginia, yet be prepared to assist organizations (for a fee) in other states who would like to replicate programs by facilitating opportunities for observation.

  • Continue the YR2009 expansion of the Candidate Training Program to twice a year.
     
  • Explore the expansion of the High School Leaders Program to twice a year.
  • Explore the possibility of developing a major conference on “Civility in Politics.”  Assemble speakers who personify and can speak to Sorensen ideals.
     
  • Create more public/private partnerships. Replicate events such as the recent Sorensen-moderated State Farm video-cast to thousands of State Farm employees. The cost will vary with the scale of the enterprise.
     
  • Explore development of a Political Journalists Program.

To learn more about investing in any of our programs, please contact Colleen Smith.

 
GOAL: Continue to build and expand the financial base to support our goals.

  • Secure sponsored fellowships for all Sorensen programs. Some participants would not be able to participate without fellowship support.
     
  • Continue to publish an annually-updated Development Plan based on the goals of this Strategic Plan. Concurrently, build and maintain a strong annual funding base of support to meet Sorensen's overall operating goals.

 
GOAL:  Continual review and implementation of the Strategic Plan.

  • A permanent Strategic Plan Review committee will, annually, review and measure our progress towards these Goals. When needs change, the Review Committee will also recommend changes in strategy.
     


If you have any comments or questions about this proposed Strategic Plan,
please contact Executive Director Bob Gibson
by phone at (434) 982-4998 or by email bob.gibson@virginia.edu

Trust, Civility and Respect in Politics