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I. Organizational Guidance System – Long-Term (Three Blocks in Model Center)

The Guidance System is is Core to the Lodge organization. It is the long-term North Star that informs and guides Lodge annual performance plans and actions. All annual plans and actions should progressively advance to achieving the long-term guidance direction.

A. Core Ideology - This is Very Long-Term - Perhaps 100 years.

1. Core Mission/Purpose - Why does the Lodge exist? What is it's main Business or Activity? Here's a possible Mission/Purpose: Masonry and its Lodges exist to: (a) Build a better society or community by, (b) Building and developing each man's inherent potential and instilling him with Masonic values,and (c) Encouraging him to model his improved self in all walks of his life.

2. Core Values - What Values guide the behavior and conduct of Lodge Mission/Purpose? Are the Lodge's most important tenets or Values: Brotherly Love, Relief, and Truth?

B. Envisioned Future - This is Medium Long-Term - Perhaps 10 - 30 years.

1. BHAG - Pronounced (Bee-Hag) - Big Hairy Audacious Goal. In the early 1960's John F. Kennedy announced, "A Man on the Moon by the end of the decade." At the announcement, there was probably less than a 50% chance that it would happen - people generally did not believe it. But, in 1969, Neil Armstrong walked on the Moon. The JFK BHAG had been motivation and inspiring to the American people having once been somewhat depressed by the Soviet Sputnik in the late 1950's. This BHAG gave the Americans a sense of direction. Does Masonry need a BHAG to inspire focused effort?

2. Vivid Description of Envisioned Future - Here you should paint a descriptive and beautiful picture of the wonderful Masonic world that you would like to see. This world should be described in detail without limiting yourself. It's almost a Dream. This desired world mobilizes planning and actions to attempt to create the dream. So, don't hold yourself back.

C. Strategy - This has a Five-Year Timeline -Strategy Deals with What to Do to Realize BHAGs and the Envisioned Future. It is a Rolling-Plan - each year a 5th year is added to the newly revisited Strategic Plan.

1. Strategic Themes - These are the Key Strategic Goals & directions that the Lodge or organization believes will bring it success. Here are some possible Key Strategic Themes. My Lodge will become (five-years): (a) A Place of Wisdom - We systematically conduct strategic and performance planning and we measure results, (b) A Place of Strength - We operate all of our committees and other Lodge processes in an efficient & effective way; our leaders are trained and have solid succession plans, (c) We are a Place of Beauty - We focus on the most important Value that our Brethren seek - to be in a Refuge, to feel respected, and to feel connected.

2. Strategic Actions - What are the general long-term actions or activities that the Lodge will do to realize the Strategic Themes? For Wisdom - Consider starting and continuing Commitment to Excellence. For Strength - Consider rethinking all of your committees to see if they are actually resulting in performance that is leading you to the Theme? Do you have some committees that exist simply because they have been in place for years? For Beauty - Do you have real Harmony in your Lodge? Are there Cliques? Do you know your members - do you have a member database with member interests recorded?

II.Performance Outcomes & Measures – Short-Term (Surrounding Four Circles)

Each of the following are areas that must be addressed in Annual Tactical Plans. Annual Plans - implemented year after year - translate Actions at the Tactical Level into realization of the Long-term Strategic Plan.

In summary, actions in each of the four areas below will either move toward accomplishment of Strategic Plan or will not.

A. Knowledge & Skills

B. Constituents

C. Internal Processes

D. Resources

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