National Youth Leadership Council

National Youth Leadership Council understands that youth, schools, communities and our broader society all benefit when young people are engaged in service—that service allows youth to make a difference, learn about the world around them, and use their creativity to change the world.

Question
Facing an important anniversary and an opportunity to plan for the future, National Youth Leadership Council (NYLC) wanted to engage staff, board members, youth, schools and community members in creating a vision for service-learning and the organization. Commencing with a board retreat, NYLC sought a strategic plan that would have both an inclusive process and a structured, useful product.

Process
The Improve Group worked with board and staff members to create an organizational mission statement that blended the long history and experience of the organization with a forward-looking vision. This mission statement was then used to guide all aspects of the strategic planning process, from the conversations in staff and board meetings to the design of a community-wide survey.

Outcome
Still in the midst of the strategic planning process, staff, board members, youth and community members have commented that they are grateful to be included and have the opportunity to share their ideas. Recognizing that the organization can continue to grow and build on its legacy, each constituency has put thought and passion into their ideas for the organization.