Challenge:
Despite the proven success of the Bridges and Getting Ahead programs in Lewis County, NY, the Steering Committee behind them had met a “milestone moment” where they needed help understanding “what’s next?”  They knew they needed a clear strategic plan and a sustainable funding strategy.  They embarked on a strategic planning process to identify their priority areas for the next three years, while current funding was secured, so that the programs can have a lasting impact for the next ten years.

Approach:
Using Appreciative Inquiry, we flipped the script from problem-solving to possibility-thinking. We began with a Core Group Discovery session that asked key leaders to reflect on when the Steering Committee had been at its best and to envision what it might look like at its most effective. This uncovered four clear priority areas: Clear Vision, Committee Structure, Traits of a Strong Committee, and Sustainable Funding. We brought the full Steering Committee together for a series of SOAR-based sessions to identify strengths, opportunities, aspirations, and measurable results in each of those areas. By engaging every voice, including feedback from the Staying Ahead group of program graduates, we co-created a 3-year strategic framework rooted in the community's lived experience and collective strengths.

Outcome:
The process resulted in a powerful outcome: the Steering Committee aligned around three priority areas for the next three years that will help them to be impactful for the next ten years. The committee focused on committee development through clarified roles, board member traits and a shared vision, and prioritized a culture of storytelling to celebrate successes and strengthen future funding opportunities. Perhaps most importantly, the voices of those with lived experience were not only included, they were elevated as essential to the future of Bridges. Today, the Steering Committee is inspired, clear, strategic, and built to last.