Strategic Planning Process (2017-2019)

Why Strategic Planning?

Having a strategic plan is important as APS continues to look to the future. Strategic planning is an opportunity to:

  • Set priorities
  • Focus energy and resources
  • Ensure that we are all working toward common goals
  • Establish agreement around intended outcomes/results
  • Assess and adjust APS’s direction in response to a changing environment

What Did We Get?

A dynamic, nimble plan that is easy for everyone to understand, reflects who we are and what we aspire to, and is actively used as a guide for APS to respond to opportunities and challenges.

The strategic plan will be used to communicate both internally and externally the organization’s goals, potential actions, and metrics for measuring success/impact.



 

How Did We Get Here?

The Steering Committee, APS Board of Directors, APS Senior Management Team, staff, and volunteer leaders worked with a consultant to involve the right people and stay at a consistently high level.

Outreach to Members

I am excited that we are developing a new APS strategic plan during my year as APS President. I don’t see strategic planning as a tactical exercise, but as a process that will lay out options, strategies, and rationales so that APS can remain a strong advocate for physics in a changing environment.

Roger Falcone, 2018 APS President

Kate Kirby

The APS 2013-2017 Strategic Plan has been a very valuable roadmap, but it lacks thoughtful attention to APS scientific publishing and APS financial health and sustainability. Without these vital components, we have an incomplete plan. We need a strategic plan for the whole organization.

Kate Kirby, APS CEO


Strategic Planning Timeline

Phase 1

November 2017 - May 2018

Data Gathering
Members provided input online and in person (Leadership Convocation, Town Halls, Focus Groups). The Board and Council provided input and direction.
 

Phase 2

June 2018 - August 2018

Synthesis
The subcommittees reviewed the data and drafted recommendations for review by the Board and Steering Committee.

Phase 3

September 2018 - December 2018

Plan Development
The Steering Committee and the Board developed a cohesive Strategic Plan which was approved by the Board and Council.

Phase 4

January 2019 - April 2019

Sharing the Results
The Strategic Plan was rolled out at the 2019 Leadership Convocation and will be publicized in APS News and at the March and April Meetings.

Steering Committee

The APS Board is responsible for determining the strategy of the Society and oversaw the activities of the steering committee.

Members

  • Chair: Nan Phinney, 2015-2016 Speaker of the Council
  • Roger Falcone, 2018 President
  • David Gross, 2019 President
  • Tim Gay, 2018 Speaker of the Council
  • Julia Gonski, FGSA Councilor
  • Brad Marston, DCMP Councilor
  • Kate Kirby, CEO
  • James Taylor, Chief Operating Officer
  • Laurie Moret, Consultant

Responsibilities

  • Oversight/Steering of Process
  • Coordination of Subcommittees
  • Coordination of Member Input
  • Review of Mission Statement
  • Development of Values Statement
  • "Writing" of Strategic Plan

Subcommittees

The Steering Committee convened four subcommittees to explore important strategic areas. The subcommittees are chaired by members of the Senior Management Team and are made up of APS volunteer leadership and staff.
 

Ensuring a Meaningful Role in Scientific Research Dissemination
Chair: Michael Thoennessen, Editor in Chief
 

Serving Communities (Membership, Physics Community, and Society)
Chair: Francis Slakey, Chief Government Affairs Officer
 

Securing Financial Sustainability
Chair: Margaret Bandera, Chief Financial Officer
 

Increasing Organizational Excellence
Chair: Mark Doyle, Chief Information Officer