But that does beg the question: What the heck’s a Strategic Plan? Well, Wikipedia, which knows everything, defines it as “an organization’s process of defining its strategy, or direction, and making decisions on allocating its resources to pursue this strategy.” Pretty simple, I guess. But it does encompass a lot and, done with thought and care, it can determine quite accurately the trajectory and ultimate goals of a corporation. Where we are in three years depends pretty heavily on what we do today – what we determine our goals to be, how we should prioritize them, what steps we need to take to start achieving them, and what resources we already have or need to acquire to accomplish them.
And, while ROC USA spends a ton of man-hours on this planning, the one thing they do not have immediate everyday access to is us – the folks who are on the ground and in the trenches, those of us who are living the reality of a resident-owned community. So let’s be heard. No need to hold back. Be brutally honest if that’s what you feel. But think – think hard about how we can improve our communities over the next few years and how ROC USA can continue to help – or maybe even step up their game if that’s what we need. Where do you see your community going over the next few years? What can you envision that would put you in a better place? Lose yourself in the details or think big … just give it a shot. Your voice matters with ROC USA. I know that because they listen to me and I am just like you. I live in a community like yours and I have the same problems you do. I love what this resident-owned community movement has done – both for me and for people across the country. I think it is just in its infancy and I am stoked by the idea that I can make a difference in the direction it takes.
You can add your comments here, on myrocusa.org – just click here and talk away. Alternatively, and just as effectively, you can email your comments to Paul Bradley at pbradley@rocusa.org or snail mail them to him at:
ROC USA
7 Wall St.
Concord, NH 03301
Or you can email me at prestocran@gmail.com. I can answer any questions you might have or I can just forward your input to Paul.
As a closing thought – Winston Churchill once said “However beautiful the strategy, you should occasionally look at the results.”
That’s us. We’re the results. When we talk, they listen. So talk!!
Colleen Preston
Cranberry Village Resident
Carver, MA
prestocran@gmail.com
508-951-0631