Strategic Plan 2022-2025

Overview

In May 2022, the Board of Directors, staff, and community stakeholders met to create a strategic plan for Marine Resources Development Foundation. Participants in the strategic planning retreat included Graham Casden, Sarah Egner, Bruce Halle, Ginette Hughes, Ian Koblick, Tonya Koblick, Kathleen McCue, Neil Monney, Craig Mullen, David Stone, Shawn Tolley, and Sue Woltanski.  John Capurso served as the retreat facilitator.

The planning group:

  • Created a core purpose statement;

  • Developed a statement of core values;

  • Reviewed & created new mission & vision statements;

  • Self-assessed MRDF’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities & threats; and

  • Created a 3-Year Strategic Plan

The strategic plan includes the following initiatives.  An action plan was developed.  Summarized results are shown next to each initiative.

Board Development and Engagement

  • The board will develop a leadership succession plan. DONE

  • The board will expand to 11 members over the next 3 years. Added 3, lost 1

  • Diversity in age, gender, race will be considered as the board is further developed.

  • The following board committees will be developed with people of specific expertise:

    o   Finance Committee

    o   Building and Grounds Committee

    o   Marketing Committee

    o   Fundraising/Development/Cultivation Committee (Friends Committee). NOT DONE

  • The board will consider term limits (at this time a 3 two-year term is recommended). NOT ADOPTED

  • A concerted effort will be made to strengthen the board’s understanding of income and expenses. DONE

  • The board will adopt a give and get policy. DONE

  • Individuals will be considered for board membership based on their ability/willingness to contribute at least 2 of the following - work, wisdom, or wealth. DONE

  • Renew conflict of interest statements in writing from board members annually. DONE

Future Staffing Needs

  • Retain experienced staff. DONE

  • Hire a Director of Development. DONE 

  • Hire a Director of Communications. SEE ABOVE – CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A MARKETING SPECIALIST

  • Hire a Director of Facilities.  PROMOTED FROM WITHIN

  • Ensure diversity in staff hiring. ALWAYS LOOKING TO DO SO; PROVIDED DIVERSITY EXAMPLES IN EDUCATIONAL MATERIALS, POSTERS ON CAMPUS

Future Facilities/Equipment Needs

Create a long-term facilities development plan.  IN PROGRESS

Create housing for staff. NOT FINANCIALLY FEASIBLE AT THIS TIME

Better prepare buildings for storms, etc. IN PROGRESS

Expand acquisition of vessels for the education program. ACQUIRED ONE NEW VESSEL, LOOKING AT OTHERS

Long-term Funding: Raise Philanthropic Funds and Other Sources of Income

  • Develop a Planned Giving Program to create and grow an endowment fund. NOT DONE

  • Mount a capital campaign to fund facilities development. UNDERWAY

  • Raise more annual operating funds to move the foundation beyond where it is now. DONE

  • Develop sources of funding – individual donors, foundation grants, corporate support, etc. DONE

Marketing and Communications

  • Create a comprehensive marketing plan. DONE

  • Expand the use of social media. DONE

  • Create a plan for a Speakers’ Bureau, and recruit, train, and utilize speakers. NOT DONE – KEPT IN HOUSE (GINETTE)

  • Hire a Director of Communications. WENT THROUGH A STORYTELLER, CURRENTLY LOOKING FOR A MARKETING SPECIALIST

  • Tap influencers to advocate for the foundation (create a Friends of MRDF). NOT DONE

  • Recruit celebrities as spokesperson(s). (fishing guides also recommended). NOT DONE

Future Programming

  • Expand the educational program to additional Caribbean countries.  ONLY VIA TEACHER WORKSHOPS

  • Bring more students to MRDF campus. DONE THROUGH SCHOLARSHIPS & INCREASED BUSINESS

  • Create and expand community events and summer camp to engage locals in studying marine science. DONE

  • Grow education programming to include pre-k to 20-year-olds. DONE

  • Develop pre and post program activities. FREE LEARNING RESOURCES CREATED

  • Develop a system to measure program impact. DONE