ACE Women’s Network Kentucky

Strategic Plan Discussion Notes

June 3, 2016

Five-year Goals with notes on associated action steps

1. Develop programs that provide specific leadership development.

  • Solid programming at conferences will be key to success; provide professional development, resources, skill development activities, etc.
  • Dovetail on other state conferences; perhaps plan to meet at EKU next year in conjunction with Pedigogicon
  • Instead of a single central meeting, consider three meetings in different parts of the state, perhaps with involvement from other regional partners in the Ohio Valley.
  • Plan a one or two day conference that could be a kickoff for events across the state; the conference could initiate a central program that could model the activities for smaller regional meetings across the state
  • Appoint regional coordinators/directors who can work with these regional events and develop cross-state partnerships with institutions outside the state that are in their geographic region.
  • Involve faculty in the program as presenters, particularly on women/gender studies
  • Present something about the host institution at each meeting
  • Coordinate programs and collaborate to strengthen the entire state

2. Recognize and support excellence among women leaders.

  • Nominate women leaders for awards; the Network could develop a way to deliver “random acts of recognition” to support and empower women who lead
  • Give awards, and encourage through communication (including social media)

3. Develop an advocacy program to move the needle forward for women leaders in education.

  • Communicate through networks; get all Presidents to sign the national list of Presidents supporting the initiative.
  • Connect with various campus advocacy efforts

4. Expand networking opportunities for women leaders and leaders who support women.

  • Communicate the message of the organization, using such venues as LinkedIn
  • Send out a press release about this meeting
  • Send out a list of participants to all who were there to facilitate networking
  • Connect with the national network
  • Develop mentorship opportunities, perhaps on a regional basis? Suggestions included such things as meeting for structured topic discussions, or a rotation of receptions at the homes of institution Presidents
  • Connect with women’s leadership organizations in other sectors (such as Women Leading Kentucky)

5. Expand ACE Women’s Network membership.

  • Move from institutional-level recruitment to individual member recruitment, perhaps encouraging institutions to form institutional chapters
  • Solve the budget issue, probably through event fees rather than large membership fees (giving direct value for the investment)
  • Do something intentional to involve men (cited He for She Campaign as an example)
  • Be sure to maintain a succession plan
  • Disseminate the bylaws