MRSC is about to embark on the development of a strategic plan for our organization.  Although we have made preliminary steps in strategic thinking in the past, MRSC has never had a comprehensive strategic plan.  Our organization has been guided by our mission statement: “to promote excellence in Washington local government through professional consultation, research and information services.”

The strategic plan is being developed in close coordination with MRSC’s board of directors and MRSC staff as well as with our local government and special district clientele.  We have created an internal strategic planning committee with three board members and three MRSC staff members.  BERK consulting will be assisting MRSC in developing the strategic plan, and we are looking forward to working collaboratively with them.

We will be contacting our city, county, and special district customers to provide comments on MRSC’s existing services and to obtain ideas for MRSC’s future direction.  This will include an online web-based survey that will be available on MRSC’s website in the next month or so.  With the assistance of BERK staff, we will also be interviewing and meeting with some of you at conferences and other venues.

We know that many local governments and special districts have conducted their own strategic planning processes, and we are interested in hearing from folks about lessons learned.  If you have information to share regarding our strategic planning process, including ideas for future MRSC services, or want to find out more about the project, please contact Carol Tobin, MRSC Planning Consultant and Project Manager, Strategic Plan, at ctobin@mrsc.org or 206-625-1300.