What is the Onondaga Ski Club and Where Are We Going?

 

During May, our club president, Scott Severance, created a committee (Long Range Planning Committee) to take a look at the question posed by the title of this article.  It is hoped that each of you, members of this club, will read this article and provide your views and wisdom as this committee works toward shaping the club’s future (see “How can I help” below).  What follows is the results of the first committee meeting that took place at my home on June 3rd. 

 

First meeting results:

The first meeting centered around two basic issues.  First, define the process to be used in arriving at a long-range plan for the club.  Second, try to define the club’s “Vision”. The paragraphs that follow summarize our results.

 

Process:
The long-range club plan will be established using the following five step process:

  1. Define the club’s “Vision”.
  2. Define club activities necessary to support the club Vision.
  3. Define the organizational and manpower needs required to conduct the club activities.
  4. Estimate the cost involved to support the club activities.
  5. Define how the club will raise the funds to meet the cost of club activities.

 

Upon completion of this task, the committee will present a formal proposal to the board of directors for approval and implementation.

 

Vision:

The word vision, by its nature, evokes a forward looking approach – envisioning a destination where the club is striving to arrive.  However, vision also necessarily requires that we know where we are starting from.  How can one plan a trip, if one does not have a starting point?  That starting point becomes, “Who are we?

 

  1. What is the Onondaga Ski Club?

Based on work already completed by the board of directors under the past able leadership of Judy Swanson, the club’s definition is as follows:

 

“The Onondaga Ski Club is an organization devoted primarily to providing outdoor and social activities for active adults during all seasons of the year.  Active adults include those primarily in the age groups from 40 and above – empty nesters, baby boomers, and retired individuals who enjoy being active.”

 

Thus, the definition of our club seams to have shifted from its original purpose of promoting skiing.  Although skiing is one of our primary focus activities, it is by far not our only focus activity, and we need to look at ourselves in this new light.  With this regard, one future thing to consider is a club name change!

 

  1. Where are we going?

Although the committee did not have the opportunity to completely shape these thoughts during our first meeting, our vision would see the club (1) offering activities that meet the needs of the membership, (2) made up of a diverse and growing membership eager to participate and sponsor club activities, (3) operating in a financially healthy environment, (4) and equipped with leadership able to implement the vision.

 

  1. How do we get there?

As a club, we need to be actively involved in a three part process, and the committee has decided to attack the long-range plan in these same three steps. 

 

First, we need to define the activities and support mechanisms (organizational, manpower, and financial) needed to sustain the needs of our present membership that is primarily 50 years of age and older.

 

Secondly, we need to develop a strategy that expands our membership into the ranks of the empty nesters and baby boomers in the 40 to 50 year old age group.  These people, as indicated in Judy Swanson’s parting comments as past president, represent the future viability and health of our organization.  We aren’t getting any younger, and we need to grow our organization with younger active people.  They will be the future trip leaders, committee chairs, and board members.

 

Thirdly, we need to take a close look at expanding our organization to include those individuals in the 30 to 40 age group that may be single, or have families.  The committee did not arrive at a consensus regarding this age group, and left this open for future consideration.

 

How can I help?

The committee is, after all, made up of a finite number of individuals who have volunteered to work on the committee task.  We need the views and wisdom embodied in you, the membership, to arrive at a viable long-range plan.  If you would like to participate in our meetings, and/or would like to share your opinions and ideas with the committee, please contact any of the following active committee members:

 

Bill Beaudin                   469-4072

Dick Butler                    655-9005

Tom Button                   687-5371

Mary Clay                     451-9014

Sallie Dannan                492-1125

Kurt Londhair                 678-2719

Arley Morey                   656-7933

Leo Naylor                     339-3741

Marvin Patnode              652-0430

Scott Severance            682-9886

Judy Swanson               685-6096

Karen Whedon               963-1941

 

Respectfully submitted,

Marvin Patnode (Committee Leader)