USHPA Strategy Update Fall, 2010

At the Spring 2010 BOD meeting, a decision was made to conduct a review and refresh of the 2005 Strategic Plan. Assess progress against 2005 plan Assess progress against 2005 plan Review/revise existing goals Review/revise existing goals Identify new goals needed Identify new goals needed

Assessment: We had six, 25-year BHAGs* in the 2005 plan. We made some progress against all of them. Long-Term GoalsProgress since ) Increase Membership 2008 Marketing Plan, Mentor Program developed; neither fully implemented; limited traction to date 2) Improve Public Perception (Byproduct of Marketing Plan) 3) Professionalize the Organization Board function significantly improved (though, it’s a never-ending job) 4) Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Site Manual developed; most/ongoing work must be done by local pilots 5) Assure Quality Training and Mentoring for Pilots Mentor Program developed; process improvements needed; limited traction to date 6) Promote Safety (Equipment and Best Practices) Done what we can; USHPA is a small part of the whole safety picture * “Big, Hairy, Audacious Goals“ (typically, only a one-in-three chance of actually achieving)

Assessment: Things We Learned We can accomplish a lot when we focus precisely We can accomplish a lot when we focus precisely Added challenges of volunteer organization Added challenges of volunteer organization Resources are especially highly constrained Resources are especially highly constrained Things take longer than in private sector Things take longer than in private sector Easier to plan than execute Easier to plan than execute Need to do a better job of gaining buy-in and understanding from all the stakeholders Need to do a better job of gaining buy-in and understanding from all the stakeholders Need to deemphasize issues too much out of our control Need to deemphasize issues too much out of our control

Assessment: USHPA needs active help from various stakeholders. Many issues are out of USHPA’s control. Growth Challenge Causes/Drivers Influence- able Free Flight Stakeholders USHPA Manufactu res / Importers Schools/ Dealers ClubsPilots Attrition Life eventsNo Lack of communityYesXXXXX HassleYesXXXX ScaredYesXXX Missed expectationsYesX New Pilot Growth External MarketingYesXXXX Enough Instructors?YesXXX Instructor converting students long-term pilots YesXXX Successful business practices YesXXX ConvienenceYesXXX Organizational Effectiveness Member CommunicationYesXX RD's effectivenessYesX Lack of ExecutionYesX Translating Vision to ActionYesX

At the Spring 2010 BOD meeting, a decision was made to conduct a review and refresh of the 2005 Strategic Plan. Assess progress against 2005 plan Assess progress against 2005 plan Review/revise existing goals Review/revise existing goals Identify new goals needed Identify new goals needed

2010 Recommendation: Maintain 2005 Vision and Mission Statements. Vision - To fulfill the dream of soaring effortlessly through the sky. Mission -The purpose of the United States Hang Gliding and Paragliding Association is to promote the growth of sport flying in foot-launchable soaring aircraft.

2010 Recommendation: year goal statements still relevant and should be retained… Grow the membership Grow the membership 1. Add new pilots 2. Improve retention Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve Public Perception Improve Public Perception Continued focus on Professionalism Continued focus on Professionalism Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Promote Safety Promote Safety

2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still relevant and should be retained…however, succeeding in what we do requires a much tighter focus. Grow the membership Grow the membership 1. Add new pilots 2. Improve retention Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve Public Perception – Largely beyond our control Improve Public Perception – Largely beyond our control Continued focus on Professionalism – We’ve improved; ongoing/routine Continued focus on Professionalism – We’ve improved; ongoing/routine Support Site Acquisition and Preservation – Done what we can Support Site Acquisition and Preservation – Done what we can Promote Safety – Do what we can, but largely beyond our control Promote Safety – Do what we can, but largely beyond our control

2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still relevant and should be retained…however, succeeding in what we do requires a much tighter focus. Grow the membership Grow the membership 1. Add new pilots 2. Improve retention Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve Public Perception Improve Public Perception Continued focus on Professionalism Continued focus on Professionalism Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Promote Safety Promote Safety Focus Out* * “Focus Out” does not mean we totally ignore/let balls drop. It just means we ensure we prioritize the most important things which we can significantly affect.

2010 Recommendation: 2005 goal statements still relevant and should be retained…however, succeeding in what we do requires a much tighter focus. Grow the membership Grow the membership 1. Add new pilots 2. Improve retention Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve the availability of quality instruction Improve Public Perception Improve Public Perception Continued focus on Professionalism Continued focus on Professionalism Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Support Site Acquisition and Preservation Promote Safety Promote Safety Improve 2-way member communications Improve 2-way member communications Member feedback on initiatives Member feedback on initiatives Explanations of why we did what we did Explanations of why we did what we did New Focus

2010 Recommendation: Recommended Top Priorities for USHPA 1. Grow membership 2. Instructor Success 3. Membership Communication Once one of these three becomes routine, or gets as done as USHPA has the power to do something about it, drop it from the list and add a new third priority. Revisit the status of the Strategic Plan earlier than 2015.

Appendix Action Plans for Top 3 Priorities

Action Plan – (1) Grow Membership Action Item: Increase the number of new pilots entering the sport Team Lead: Executive Director Team Members: Nick Greece, Robin Jones, Marketing Committee Objective: Grow the membership Key Tasks: Source/Develop required human resources Transition 2008 Marketing Plan to front office Develop operational 2011 PR Plan Develop actionable events plan Key Milestones Notes: Dates somewhat contingent new ED hire date. MilestoneDate 2011 PR Plan Approved 2/ Events Plan Approved 2/11

Action Plan – (1) Grow Membership Action Item: Improve retention of member pilots Team Lead: Executive Director Team Members: Robin Jones, Steve Roti, M&D Committee, Wayne Michelsen Objective: Grow the membership Key Tasks: Analyze current implementation of Mentor Program for effectiveness/improvements Transition operation of Mentor Program to front office Explore ways to automate Mentor Program Assess utility of annual member conference (beginning with a member survey) Key Milestones Notes: Analysis of Mentor Program is complete but recommendations not yet published so deadline dates may vary. MilestoneDate Enact Mentor Improvements 11/10 Automation Plan12/10 Annual Conference Survey 12/10

Action Plan – (2) Instructor Success Action Item: Do what USHPA can to support instructors Team Lead: TBD (ISWG Team Leader) Team Members: TBD (ISWG members) Objective: Instructor Success Key Tasks: Form Instructor Success Working Group ISWG develops full action plan Key Milestones Notes: Contemplated features include… Feature a school per month in magazine Publish school rankings in magazine School services offering (business cards, web hosting, generic brochures/rack cards, etc.) Modular training materials/videos online Explore ‘Select Schools’ concept MilestoneDate ISWG formed11/15/10 Approve ISWG action plan Spring, ‘11 BoD

Action Plan – (3) Member Communication Action Item: Improve quality of 2-way member communications Team Lead: ED Team Members: Robin Jones, Nick Greece, M&D Committee, USHPA Web Team, contract writer (to be hired) Objective: Improve member communications Key Tasks: Identify weaknesses in member communications; review plan and timelines Review job descriptions for relevant staff Hire contact writer to deliver content for web/magazine Key Milestones Notes: As part of improved communication strategy an online Member Resource Center is suggested to increase dissemination of accurate and helpful information to membership. MilestoneDate Solidify job descriptions 12/10 Recommend improvements to current program 01/11 Revise timelines based on recommendations 02/11

Action Plan – (3) Member Communication Action Item: Improve quality of 2-way chapter communications Team Lead: ED Team Members: Robin Jones, Chapter Support Committee, contract writer (to be hired) Objective: Improve chapter communications and cohesion with USHPA Key Tasks: Identify chapter needs addressable by USHPA Monthly to chapter presidents with USHPA update Continue USHPA presentations to chapters (~4/year) Key Milestones Notes: MilestoneDate Chapter survey02/11 Begin ing chapters 02/11 Chapter presentations resume 03/11- 12/11