Shortly before the Gas Authority Annual Membership Meeting we emailed the first draft of our Vision 2020 Strategic Plan (Plan). The Plan was issued in draft form so that Members may review and comment on the complete document, which is the culmination of input from all stakeholders over the last year. We are asking for comments on the draft by mid-June. Based on feedback received we will develop a revised draft, which will be reviewed with the Gas Authority Board in late June. A final Plan should be issued in early July.
This draft Strategic Plan was developed over the last year, gathering input from our staff and from the Board, combined with interactive breakout sessions among Members at both the Fall 2015 and Spring 2016 regional meetings. The discussions focused on identifying the critical success factors necessary for municipal gas utilities to thrive in the year 2020 and beyond. Importantly, the conversations were also intended to define the role of the Gas Authority in helping its Members achieve and sustain that vision.
The purpose of having a written strategic plan is to outline a vision for the Gas Authority that all stakeholders in the process can identify with, and support as a direction that will enhance the value of their joint-action agency and create additional value for Members. The Plan includes our mission and values, which remain unchanged. We know who we serve and our role, and we know how important having a natural gas distribution system is to each of our Member’s municipalities. What has changed, and continues to change is the environment in which we operate, and it is these changing business conditions that drive the strategic issues we believe need to be addressed through the Plan.
Our three Corporate Goals are similar to the goals in our last strategic plan, but are entirely focused on what we heard from our Members; specifically, what will be required for them to grow the value of owning and operating a natural gas distribution system for their customers and communities. To implement these goals, we identified three new initiatives, which will guide us in deploying resources, and hopefully engage all Members in implementing thoughtful strategies to sustain and grow their gas systems.
Please invest a few minutes to review the draft Plan, and provide any feedback that will help us finalize the Plan. If you like the way the draft looks, please let us know that too. While we have worked together for a year to develop this vision, it will take years and the ongoing commitment of all stakeholders to achieve the vision we have jointly cast.
If you did not receive a draft Plan, or if you have any questions concerning how to provide feedback, please do not hesitate to contact Chris Strippelhoff or your Member Services representative.
