Strategic Planning Committee
of the
National Weather Association

Committee Mission Statement

"Provide vision and focus to the National Weather Association through the development of long-range goals."

NWA Strategic Planning Committee Members:

  • John Scala, Chair, 2008 President
  • Frank Brody, Councilor
  • Paul Croft, 2004 President
  • Alan Gerard, 2007 President
  • Mike Vescio, 2009 President
  • Elise Schultz, 2010 Student Ex-Officio

A revitalized Strategic Planning Committee and its new membership was presented to the NWA Council in October 2010. The SP Committee will work closely with the NWA Council, Executive Committee and the appropriate organizational committees to ensure the critical strategies for sustaining the NWA in the months and years ahead are addressed in a timely and comprehensive manner.

NWA Vision and Mission

Updated NWA Vision and Mission statements were announced at the 2010 Annual Meeting in Tucson, Arizona.

NWA VISION:

Promoting excellence in operational meteorology to benefit society.

NWA MISSION STATEMENT:

Connecting operational meteorologists in pursuit of excellence in weather forecasting, communication and service.

NWA Strategic Roadmap

A roadmap for the future growth of the NWA was developed in 2009. This new design focuses on three strategic goals: 1) membership services, 2) growing and retaining the membership, and 3) ensuring the long-term financial stability of the NWA. These key objectives are outlined below:

§ Expand and enhance membership services
  1. Ensure production of the NWA Digest is timely and follows a twice annual production schedule
  2. Hire a Web development firm to assist the NWA improve and enhance its current Web site. These enhancements will include:
    1. A members-only portal with online access to publications and a tiered membership option [Accomplished at http://member.nwas.org]
    2. Capabilities for blogging and message boarding
    3. An archive of current and past publications
    4. A redesign of the entire Web site to improve the appearance, functionality and the features available to members
§ Grow and retain the NWA membership
  1. Develop and execute a formalized marketing plan that strengthens market awareness while attracting and retaining new members
  2. Optimize recruitment efforts in all sectors of the meteorological field
  3. Increase total membership by 5 to 10% per year for the next 5 years
  4. Target universities and regional conferences for new members. Develop an NWA presence at 4 or more regional conferences for the next four years
  5. Redesign the NWA logo
§ Develop effective strategies to strengthen the long-term financial position of the NWA
  1. Maintain an investment strategy that seeks an appropriate level of risk versus reward for a non-profit organization
  2. Maintain at least 50% of one year's operating expenses in reserve
  3. Examine dues and fee structures on at least an annual basis
  4. Optimize operations to minimize cost

Current and Past Activities

Comments or questions on the NWA Vision and Strategic Plan can be sent to John Scala, Chair of the Strategic Planning Committee at scalawx@comcast.net or to Steve Harned, the NWA Executive Director, at exdir@nwas.org.

Updated: December 15th, 2010