Strategic plan highlights importance of not-for-profit associations
The Board of Directors of Promotional Products Association International (PPAI) have reviewed and approved the Association’s strategic plan for 2012-2015 at their meeting last month during the PPAI Leadership Conference in Grapevine, Texas.
The plan makes interesting reading, chiming in many ways with the aims and aspirations of the bpma in the UK and clearly shows that not-for-profit associations give clear leadership and value to the promotional merchandise industry.
PPAI’s strategic plan is the result of a months-long process, its goals and objectives developed and honed by the board members and staff. It reflects PPAI’s mission to support its members and the promotional products industry, and was developed to address the needs of the companies within the industry while responding to individuals’ needs and challenges. The Association’s mission is reflected in four goals selected by the board. They are: Deliver Great Member Value; Advocate for the Industry; Engage the Global Marketplace; and Manage an Efficient, Progressive and Professional Organization.
“The strategic plan is an important document that supports and drives Association performance. Every three years we update the plan, but it’s a zero-based creation,” says President and CEO Paul Bellantone, CAE. “We have an incredibly diverse membership. The strategic plan points us to things we need to do for the benefit of all.”
In developing the strategic plan, PPAI Board members reached out to Association members to understand what they needed to be successful and what PPAI can do to help them achieve those goals. Also guiding the plan’s development were the results from member surveys, detailed financial analysis and other available information.
For an association such as PPAI, the strategic plan serves as an invaluable tool to focus to the organization’s efforts. Steven Meyer, MAS, PPAI board chair, says: “In any association you want to maximize your resources. Paul does an excellent job of that. You can follow the strategic plan from the top of the ladder down to each staff member at PPAI. It it’s not in the Strategic Plan then we shouldn’t do it. We’re being good stewards of [members’] funds and resources. We have a responsibility to look into the future and leave the Association better than we found it, by providing for future members.”
To learn about PPAI’s strategic plan and its goals : www.ppai.org/about/ppai-strategic-plan
