2015 Strat Plan-Revised.pdf

Our Core ValuesInnovative Management PracticesResponsible Facilities ManagementContinued Fiscal ResponsibilityDiverse Programs and ServicesOptimized Communication and MarketingOUR VISIONAddressing the life longleisure needs of allVernon Hills residents.Our MissionOur mission is to promotediverse community basedrecreational opportunities byproviding a variety ofprograms, services, facilitiesand natural spaces toenhance the quality of life forour residents.1

Strategic Plan 2015-20192

Introduction…………………………………………………………………………………… 3Mission Statement…………………………………………………………………………… 4Vision Statement…………………………………………………………………………….. 4SWOT Analysis ……………………………………………………………………………… 5District Strengths………………………………………………………………… 5District Weaknesses…………………………………………………………….. 6District Opportunities…………………………………………………………… 7District Trends…………………………………………………………………… 8Strategic Themes…………………………………………………………………………… 9Innovative Management Practices……………………………………………. 10Responsible Facilities Management………………………………………….. 12Continued Fiscal Responsibility……………………………………………….. 14Diverse Programs and Services………………………………………………. 16Optimized Communications and Marketing………………………………….. 18Implementation……………………………………………………………………………… 19Agency Report Card……………………………………………………………………………. 203

IntroductionThe Vernon Hills Park District (VHPD) partnered with GCG (Grodsky Consulting Group) to facilitatea strategic planning process for Staff and Park Board. The planning period covers the years 2015-2019. The purpose of the plan is to provide direction for the District. Information for this plan wasderived from community, staff and Park Board involvement. Several agency workshops were heldwith both staff and Park Board. District strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and trends werediscussed.The Vernon Hills Park District also conducted an online survey of the community of which nearly900 surveys were completed. This survey focused on general questions surrounding participationand satisfaction. Respondents were markedly positive about the Park District outdoor spaces,facilities, programs and special events, with outdoor spaces receiving the highest marks for bothuse and satisfaction. Respondents also indicated that the Park District has a very strong reputationand is highly respected within the community.4

Mission StatementOur mission is to promote diverse community based recreational opportunities by providing a variety ofprograms, services, facilities and natural spaces to enhance the quality of life for our residents.Vision StatementAddressing the life long leisure needs of all Vernon Hills residents.Vernon Hills Park District Board of CommissionersJames E. Ballowe David Doerhoefer Cynthia Kessler Michael Meline Bruce Robbins5

SWOT ANALYSIS- DISTRICT STRENGTHSOutstanding Outdoor AthleticFacilitiesState of the Art PlaygroundsSpecialized, Qualified andCertified StaffSignificant IntergovernmentalRelationshipsWelcomed and CooperativeCorporate SponsorshipsExcellent Board MemberCohesiveness/RespectQuality ParksIllinois Distinguished AccreditedAgencyStrong Environmental Practices andStewardshipQuality and Functional WebsiteFull Service Special Event OfferingsAccredited Safety ProgramDCFS Licensed Childcare Faciityand Afterschool ProgramSecured Financial Status withCommunityState of the Art Indoor Facilities(i.e. Lakeview, Park Maintenance,Sullivan Community Center)6

Limited Gymnasium SpaceAged FacilitiesFitness Center CompetitionFee Collection/ Late RegistrationBranding/MarketingImage Separation from VillageOrganized Communication due to FacilitySeparationIncreased Service Demands fromCommunity7

Facility Expansion/RenovationLaschen Community Center Staffrelocation/departurePaper Reduction/Paperless OperationIdentify Underserved PopulationAdvance Innovative ProgrammingIntroduce More Energy Efficient Items intoOperationsAdvance Branding/ MarketingContinued Revenue EnhancementContinued Security of Corporate/Business Partners8

Advance/Enhance Social MediaChanging DemographicsFlexible WorkforceSpecialized ProgrammingHealth and WellnessOff-Site ProgramsNature Deficiency9

The following are the Strategic Themes that were identified as common organizational goals by Staffand Park Board.Theme 1.Theme 2.Theme 3.Theme 4.Theme 5.Innovative Management PracticesResponsible Facilities ManagementContinued Fiscal ResponsibilityDiverse Programs and ServicesOptimized Communication and MarketingSubsequent to the development of Themes was the development of Objectives to support thoseThemes. Initiatives describe what the District will do to support the accomplishment of the Objective.10

Theme 1Innovative Management PracticesObjective 1NRPA Gold Medal Award ApplicationInitiatives• During the 2015/2016 fiscal year, Park District Staffwill introduce items necessary to complete a 2016NRPA Gold Medal Application.• Develop internal Gold Medal Task Force.• Agency supervisors will receive training on NRPA GoldMedal application process and criteria.Objective 2Develop Job Sharing/Cross Training OpportunitiesInitiative• District will provide cross training opportunities,particularly for jobs that have customer interfaceresponsibilities (so more than one person is trained tohandle elements of customer service) as well as theopportunity to provide employees exposure to otherjob skill sets.11

Theme 1- ContinuedInnovative Management PracticesObjective 3Create Agency Succession PlanInitiatives• District Supervisors will identify critical positions that can potentially impact businessoperations (e.g., financial operation, process efficiencies, loss of institutional knowledge,etc.) due to retirement, attrition and voluntary/involuntary separation.• District Supervisors will also identify and inform Executive Director of short term, mid termor long term separation announcements by staff.Objective 4AccountabilityInitiatives• Develop and implement an internal evaluation tool for program staff.• Develop and implement an internal evaluation tool for program instructors.Objective 5Study Specific Need for Additional Park Staff 2 nd Shift OpportunitiesInitiative• Research and gather relevant information regarding alternative employee schedulingoptions throughout the District.Objective 6Re-apply for Illinois Distinguished Agency Accreditation (2016-2017)12

Objective 1Overall Agency Facility and Space AssessmentInitiatives• District will conduct Mechanical, Engineering, Plumbing and Architectural studies in the followingfacilities to assess space usage and opportunity.Sullivan Community CenterLaschen Community CenterFamily Aquatic CenterLakeview Fitness Center• Agency will review District facilities and amenities to identify additional space for rental purposes.Objective 2Continued Implementation and Evaluation of Park AmenitiesInitiatives• District will continue to focus on implementation and evaluation of Park Amenities within theparameters of the District Master Plan.• Park District Staff to identify species of trees throughout District Parks in cooperation with theVillage of Vernon Hills and the use of their tree inventory software program.13

Theme 2-ContinuedResponsible Facilities ManagementObjective 3Thorough Assessment of AgencyFacility Rental RatesInitiative• Agency will review District rentalrates for indoor and outdoor rentalspace and compare to currentmarket rental fees.Objective 4Implement Energy Efficient ActionPlan at all Facilities/ParksInitiative• Agency-wide focus on managementand implementation of sustainableenergy practices and energy useguidelines to include LED Lighting .14

Objective 1Increase Overall Agency Corporate/Business Fundingby 20%Initiative• Agency-wide pursuit to identify potential corporatesponsorships to support a 20% increase in funding.Objective 2After School ProgramInitiative• Allocate program proceeds to advance CommunityCapital Projects/Improvements.15

Theme 3- ContinuedContinued Fiscal ResponsibilityObjective 3Improved Financial ReportingInitiative• With the acquisition and implementation of newfinancial software, the District will move towardimproved financial reporting.Objective 4Increase Reserve Fund BalanceInitiative• Increase fund balances annually to reach goal of25% of total fund expenses by 2019.CorporateRecreation16

Objective 1Identify Programming Opportunities byEvaluating Current Trends in RecreationInitiative• Implement program planning standards inaccordance with IAPD/IPRA Distinguished AgencyGuidelines.• Develop and implement a program classificationmatrix that identifies what the park district currentlyoffers and what is offered by others in thecommunity.• Develop a minimum of (10) new program offeringson an annual basis.17

Theme 4 - ContinuedDiverse Programs and ServicesObjective 2Expand recreational program opportunities foractive adults and families.Examples• Dog/pet programs• Do It Yourself programs• Bicycle maintenance program• Gardening/lawn care• Increase use of lakes by offeringboating/paddling classes• Provide nature education and consider use ofSullivan Woods18

Objective 1BrandingInitiative• District will contract with an outside consultantspecializing in Branding who will focus on:Lakeview Fitness CenterFamily Aquatic CenterSullivan Community CenterAdvancing District Image and IdentityObjective 2Agency Wide Communication and Marketing PlanInitiative• District will contract with outside consultant specializing in Marketing who will highlightareas such as:Target MarketingCross MarketingAdvancing/Enhancing Social MediaMarketing to Daily Non-Resident Business PopulationAssessing Internal Marketing Staff Needs19

In deploying the Strategic Plan, the following action items will occur:• All employees will receive a copy of the Plan or electronic access to the Plan.• A timeline identifying short term, mid term and long term Plans will be created.• Regular annual reporting of the Plan’s progress will be completed.• Hold staff meetings on a quarterly basis to review the Plan’s progress.• Report the Plan’s progress to the Board on a quarterly basis.• To promote transparency, the Plan will be posted on the District Website.• After each year of the Plan, the Staff and Board will review the Plan process and identify any partsof the process that need improvement/updating.20