Many nonprofits are asking for concrete steps to take to manage during these uncertain and tough economic times.  And there’s no lack of good advice floating around.  Most experts will say that managing in uncertain times requires you do to a number of things, including reflecting, visioning, and most of all, planning.  As Lewis Carroll wrote in Alice in Wonderland, “If you don’t know where you’re going, any road will take you there.” The Standards for Excellence® code emphasizes the board’s responsibility to engage in planning on an ongoing basis.  By engaging in long-term and short-term planning, an organization can avoid the common mistake of viewing the planning experience as an event that happens once every three to five years.  The Code specifically states that the board should engage in planning activities as necessary to determine the mission of the organization, to define specific goals and objectives related to the mission, and to evaluate the success of the organization’s programs toward achieving the mission activities.  This effectively encourages each organization’s board to revisit its plans as often in order to be strategic and nimble as circumstances change. Did you know?  The Standards for Excellence® program’s Educational Resource Packet, “Ongoing Planning by the Board,” includes a detailed discussion about developing a strategic plan, including some of the common pitfalls of planning. The packet is free and available to Standards for Excellence Institute® members.  It is available through the members only section of our website.  Hard copies are also available upon request. Log in to access this educational resource packet. Not a member? Join now!