Executive review

In coming together to assess the progress made by the Annapolis Dragon Boat Foundation (ADBF) over the four years since 2015, the Strategic Plan Review Committee has identified the notable membership growth and surge of interest in the sport of dragon boating.

As ADBF has evolved since 2015, key achievements included:

  • Added a second boat with the consequent increase in coaching and steering volunteers.
  • Grew membership to 118 women and men, more than half of whom are cancer survivors.
  • Executed a comprehensive branding of the Club, including a vibrant new website, new team shirts and hats, a design for club paddles, a new brochure, the introduction of a team handbook and the use of TeamSnap for member-to-member communication purposes.
  • Strengthened our financial reserves through traditional fundraising and a successful online campaign.
  • Established a Guinness World Record for dragon boating.
  • Computerized the accounting system.
  • Maximized the potential of the reserves through appropriate investments recommended by ADBF financial advisors.
  • Maximized ADBF management transparency utilizing TeamSnap for records.
  • Relocated marina operations at short notice, without interruption to ADBF activities.
  • Instituted year-round athletic activities, including paddling indoors and gym workouts.
  • Sent a full team to the IBCPC Festival in Florence Italy in 2018, including 25 paddlers and over 30 supporters.

ADBF members acknowledge and thank the 2015-2020 Strategic Plan Committee whose work has been an insightful foundation on which to build.

Executive summary

In the next five years the Strategic Review Committee envisions more growth in membership as ADBF’s place in the community becomes even more established and, unfortunately, as more cancer survivors are in need of the programs that ADBF provides.

The strategic plan for the next five years is based on achieving these goals:

The Board will approve the timeline of tasks developed by ADBF committees for the assigned objectives. The action/deliverables templates for each Goal are attached to this report for use by committees to assist in the planning, management, and reporting of ADBF Strategic Plan progress.

We are confident that the goals that have been identified are possible to achieve provided that we have both the funds and the volunteers.

Strategic focus

Mission

The Mission of the Annapolis Dragon Boat Club is to promote the development of healthy bodies and spirits, to support recovery from breast cancer and all other cancers, and to grow friendships and teamwork. The club promotes and develops the sport of dragon boating as a means of building physical strength, endurance and confidence with an emphasis on recreation, synchrony, and harmony while on the water……..the beautiful Spa Creek of Annapolis.

Vision

By 2024, we envision a vibrant and busy club that has grown organically as required to further its mission. Our athletic and social activities will be joyful and inclusive allowing club members to achieve their personal goals. Available paddling activities will range from purely recreational to very competitive. The club will include multiple dragon boat teams of breast cancer and other cancer survivors and supporters with teams having the opportunity to participate in local, regional, national, and international races including International Breast Cancer Paddlers Commission festivals.

Values

To establish a culture that will effectively and fairly carry out the mission and vision, we ascribe to the following core values:

  • Inclusion. We provide the opportunity to engage in dragon boating activities for breast cancer survivors and supporters from all walks of life.
  • Trust. ADBF activities incorporate trust in one another to balance a mutual respect and building skills.
  • A caring community. We support one another within and outside of the club.
  • Camaraderie. Building strength together as a club.
  • Personal Growth. Strengthening of mind, body and spirit.
  • Freedom. Freedom to get out on the water to share fun, joy and positive energy.
  • Giving to wellness and recovery. We give back to our community to support these areas.

Goal 1: Implement a strong fundraising strategy and continue proper financial controls

Strategic goal

Secure and grow a portfolio of stable financial resources to support the budget, the vision of the Foundation (ADBF), its long-term sustainability, and adequate reserves to allow it to continue to adapt to changing conditions.

Objectives

  • Maintain a Reserve Fund. Maintain a reserve fund appropriately invested to allow ADBF activities to continue in changing conditions.
  • Continue an Annual Fund Appeal. Working with the Membership Committee, the Board will approve an Annual Fund request.
  • Operate Annual Events Program. Working with the Outreach Committee, produce a coordinated plan of events and activities to raise funds and grow awareness of dragon boating.
  • Grow the Corporate Sponsorship Program. The Fundraising Committee will continue to seek sponsorships. The annual levels of giving currently are:
    • Gold $10,000 — $15,000
    • Silver $5,000 — $9,999
    • Bronze $1,000 — $4,999
    • Power stroke $500 — $999
    • Paddles Up $250 — $499
  • Commit to the Presentation of an Annual Report. The purpose of the report is to inform donors, potential donors, and club members of the source and use of funds. Gifts made in honor of persons will be noted as such in the fundraising accounting.

Goal 2: Maintain a robust marketing and outreach strategy

Strategic goal

Maintain a presence before all breast cancer survivors, other cancer survivors, and supporters in the Annapolis region to ensure that they know about ADBF. Grow public awareness to the level where events and activities are run at or near capacity as membership continues to expand through organic growth.

Objectives

  • Continue to maintain ADBF marketing and outreach channels such as website, social media, events and activities, brochures, press releases, and publications.
  • Identify diverse demographic audiences to engage with ADBF events and activities.
  • Maintain correspondence with ADBF “friends and family” where donors and supporters receive club news and thank you notes for donations.
  • Produce an outreach calendar annually to assist with committee organization.
  • Produce a monthly newsletter to assist in communication throughout the ADBF community.
  • Increase and expand the interaction with the general public and other stakeholders to broaden the reach of ADBF’s message.

Goal 3: Implement a long-range facilities plan

Strategic goal

Research permanent facility options in the Greater Annapolis area to accommodate current and future expanded ADBF activities; create a report detailing possible locations and their advantages and disadvantages.

Objectives

  • Assess needs, expectations, and length of time for the current location and possibilities for expansion.
  • Assess alternative facility locations, including permanent options, with estimated cost and practicality of each option.
  • Maintain the financial flexibility required to take advantage of any facility option that may arise.
  • Identify and engage a representative(s) to be responsible for a facilities plan who will report annually on perceived club needs and available facility options.

Goal 4: Expand and strengthen an athletic program

Strategic goal

Plan athletic activities to accommodate diverse recreational and competitive interests; make efficient use of available resources and forecast increased resource needs.

Objectives

  • Develop an annual athletic program to satisfy the diverse recreational and competitive interests of club members.
  • Determine races to attend to satisfy the diverse interests of the membership in accordance with the approved budget.
  • Continue to evolve coaching and steering development plans to increase the number of available steerers and coaches/assistant coaches to support scheduling needs and to support ADBF’s ability to field multiple teams according to member interest and competitive level.
  • Maximize through efficient scheduling the use of our existing facilities and essential personnel to facilitate club members’ participation.

Goal 5: Implement a social program

Strategic goal

Plan activities in order to strengthen the social foundation of ADBF incorporating ADBF Values.

Objectives

  • Develop and promote a program of regular social events and activities whose purpose is the development of camaraderie, support, and social interaction and encourage the entire club membership to take part in ADBF activities.
  • Develop a volunteering schedule to give club members the opportunity to engage both with each other and those in need in our community.

We wish to thank the following members for their participation and contribution in being a part of the 2019 Strategic Plan Review Committee for Annapolis Dragon Foundation:

Janet Black
Linda Buote
Liz Carlin
Chandra Jackson
Mike Kinder
Louise Kirk
Joni Krafft
Kathy Heron
Teri Myer
Michele Morisy
Marian Rabeno
Peter Van de Castle

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