from the October, 2014 issue of Kiai!

Thousand Waves Completes Strategic Plan:
A Letter from TW Board Chair, Annie Gregory

 

By Senpai Annie Gregory
1st Degree Black Belt and TW Board Chair

Dear Friends of Thousand Waves,

On behalf of the Board of Directors, I’m pleased to announce that we have approved a Strategic Plan that will take the organization through 2016.

Beginning in 2013, a Strategic Planning Committee comprised of key staff and volunteers met regularly to analyze the historical financials, membership composition, competition, organizational structure, and mission of Thousand Waves. Generously leading this intensive process was volunteer Mary Lee Schneider, who is a parent of training member Adam Flam and the President/CEO of a $2.6 billion privately-held company here in Chicago.

Other volunteer members of the committee included Board Treasurer Shelley Fried, former Board Chair Senpai Pat Broughton, and myself. Thousand Waves staff members on the committee included Co-Executive Directors Sei Shihan Nancy and Jun Shihan Sarah, in addition to Thousand Waves’ Director of Operations, Senpai Ryan Libel.

This Committee drafted a comprehensive Strategic Plan, reviewed and approved by the Board, which will serve as a roadmap for Thousand Waves’ operations and continuity.  As we approach the 30th anniversary year of Thousand Waves’ initial founding as The Women’s Gym, we believe we have put together a plan that remains true to our roots while also guiding the organization through the realities of today. Specifically, Thousand Waves will focus on creating a strong foundation for growing membership while continuing to positively impact the communities around us through our nonprofit mission-based work.

The Board of Directors invites you to read this overview summary of the Strategic Plan. I would like to extend my gratitude to the members of the Strategic Planning Committee for their dedicated work on developing this plan. I would also like to thank you, our community of supporters, for your ongoing trust in Thousand Waves.

Sincerely,
Annie Gregory
Board Chair