Sitka Trail Works, Inc Strategic
Plan
Core Purpose
Statement
Trails!
Mission/Purpose Statement
The Sitka Trail Works Board
of Directors, staff and membership is dedicated to working
efficiently and supportively with our partners to create,
maintain and promote a beautiful, diversified and accessible
trail system; as our gift to future generations.
These trails will provide a
wide range of opportunities for physical activity, economic
development, cultural enrichment and spiritual renewal.
Core
Values
Sitka Trail Works, Inc Strategic
Plan
Short term
Goals 2006-2009
Ø
Complete at least 3 new trail construction or reconstruction
projects from the Trail Plan
Ø
Create Trail Maintenance agreements with CBS and State Parks
Ø
Implement the Trail Promotion Plan and substantially increase
awareness and use of the trail system.
Ø
Implement the Capital Funding Plan: Identify and secure funds
for trail projects.
Ø
Perpetuate an engaged and highly functioning Board of
Directors through Board and staff training sessions
Ø
Become financially self sustaining with full staffing.
Operational Support plan in action.
Mid term Goals 2006 - 2010
Ø
Complete one new or reconstruction trail project, from the
2003 Trail Plan, each year
Ø
Create a self sustaining trail maintenance program.
Ø
Become financially self sustaining for core operational
expenses
Ø
Become a model non profit organization.
Ø
Adopt and implement a suite of strategies that will assure
successful completion of our mission and provide guidance and
direction to future Boards and staff.
Long term goals 2003-2015
Ø
Create the comprehensive trail system as set forth in the 2003
Sitka Trail Plan.
Ø
Produce short term and long term economic and cultural benefits
to the community.
Ø
Foster a quantifiably healthier and more active community with
the help of our partners.
Capital Funding Development
Plan
Mid term Goal: Secure Capital
Funding for Trail Projects: Be effective, creative,
opportunistic and flexible in securing capital funds for trail
projects by putting our Capital Funding Development plan into
action in 2006
Utilize a strategy of
relationship based fund development to secure funding for trails
Agency funding:
USDA FS Design Narratives for
USDA FS projects and get them on the CIP list
AK State Recreation Trails Grant
program,
CBS sources: Title III funds for
access to Federal lands.
Federal Grant programs: NOAA
Habitat Improvement Grants, LWCF
Submit an annual list of projects
to the Congressional delegation.
Submit capital requests to the
Alaska State Legislature.
Develop long term relationships
with Foundations that support trail projects.
Conduct annual capital campaigns
for trail projects.
Work smart and charge out direct
project expenses
Clearly identify staff admin time
and project development time.
Recover project development
expenses from project funding whenever possible.
Get professional fund raising
training and help
Hire a professional advisor to
help secure Legislative appropriations funding for trail
projects and the State, Federal and local level.
Utilize Foraker Fund Training
Operational Funding Development plan
Mid term Goal: To become financially self sustaining for core
operational expenses
Utilize a strategy of relationship based fund development to
establish a solid source of operational funding
Ø
500 member households by 2006 and annual member and business
contributions of $20,000,
Ø
Establish a Board Designated Reserve Account and fund to a level
½ of annual operations budget. ($50,000). The purpose of the
reserve account is to provide stability and to prevent having to
take loans or defer payment of the staff during cash flow
fluctuations. The Reserve account will allow the organization to
weather unexpected expenses outside the Annual budget and can be
used to provide matching funds for projects and to invest in new
revenue generating programs.
Ø
Utilize a strategy of relationship based fund development to
establish a long term commitment from the CBS Assembly to assist
with operational funding $15,000 - $20,000 annually.
Ø
Be creative in seeking new sources of operational funds: example
Volvo award to Lisa Busch.
Ø
At least ONE successful fundraising event per year
Ø
Develop sustainable revenue from guided hikes and vendor
businesses
2003 Trail Plan Projects Summary
2004
Starrigavan Estuary Trail completed
2005
Starrigavan multi use trail completed
2006
Thimbleberry to Heart Lake Trail completed
2006 Path of
Hope trail completed
2006 Sea Lion
Cove Trail Reconstruction completed
2006 Baranof
Lake Trail Reconstruction completed
2006 Sawmill
Creek Road Improvements 2/3 completed
2007 Cross
Trail Phase I – In Progress
2007 WWII
Causeway – In Development
2007 Sawmill
Cove Loop Trail – In Development
Trail/Hiking Promotion Plan
Completed!
Ø
Offer free guided hikes every Saturday throughout the summer.
Completed
Ø
Offer discounted off island hikes to our members- In Partnership
with Allen Marine. Completed
Ø
Edit, update, print, and distribute a new community map showing
all the trails, parks, and recreation areas on the Sitka Road
system –In partnership with State Parks, CBS and SEARHC -
Completed
Ø
Print a user friendly trails map with notes about what the hikes
are like and what to bring on a hike – Produced in house by
volunteer coordinator - Completed
Ø
Create a Volunteer Guided Hikes leader responsibilities Job
description –Board members and staff - Completed
Ø
Purchase radio spots promoting the health benefits of hiking on
the trails in Partnership with SEARHC. Completed
Ø
Sponsor fun Trails Day events including kayaking and outdoor
games-In Partnership with everyone! Completed
Ø
Create an Adopt-a-Trail program with Sheldon Jackson College for
off season trail maintenance. Completed
Ø
Enroll SJ Interns to lead guided hikes. Completed
Ø
Create a STW website with links to trail descriptions. Completed
Ø
Create a Trail Watch program with access through the STW
website. Completed
2008 STW Annual objectives
Mission: Create, Maintain and
Promote the trail system
·
Create
o
Implement Alaska
Trail Initiative grant and SAFE-TEA-LU
§
Cross Trail Phase I
·
Complete SWPPP
·
Complete Design with
DOWL Engineers
·
Complete Construction
to Cascade Cr. Rd.
§
Cross Trail Phase II
·
Begin survey, NEPA
etc.
§
WWII Causeway
·
Continue project
development planning and permitting
o
Environmental review
checklist for trail construction.
·
Finish Site plan and
Archeological surveys with State
·
Legislate Park status
for Fort Rousseau
§
Beaver Lake to
Herring Cove
·
Complete trail design
and budget estimates
·
Build parking area
and ADA trail August 2008
·
USFS award
construction contract prior Oct 1
§
Path of Hope
·
Work with SCSS to
install artwork on trail
·
Maintain
o
Implement ATI grant
§
WWII Causeway – clean
up and brushing
o
CBS Maintenance Cross
Trail
o
State Parks
Maintenance
·
Promote
o
Publish activities
calendar with a free guided hike every Saturday
o
Fort Rousseau WW II
Causeway celebration – Ceremonial signing creating new State Park
with Governor, Wilson and Stedman
o
Participate in 3 CBS
parades*
Resources: human and financial
(quantity)
·
Focus of Goals:
Funding
o
$15,000 Capital
Campaign for Cross Trail*
o
Improve STW financial
position, Add $3,000 to Reserve fund
o
Lobby CBS Assembly to
increase support to $20,000 annually
o
Meet the 2008 Budget
Income objectives*
o
Shore to Summit
contract with Majestic America Line
o
Coordinate funding to
complete Sawmill Cove Loop trail system trail – USFS, ATI and
Rasmuson
o
Develop legislative
priorities list with Northstar
§
Apply for
Congressional funding
o
Increase membership
and donations by credit card by 10%.
o
Add credit card option
to membership forms
o
Add auto renew option
·
Focus of Goals: Human
o
Increase membership
from 300 to 400 active households
o
Update the STW email
list and member list
o
Hire and field a
Trail Maintenance Crew for Causeway
o
Hire an event
coordinator for Fort Rousseau celebration
o
Plan vacation time for
the Director
Internal capacity (quality)
·
Focus of Goals: Board
o
Seat new Board member
prior to retreat
o
Conduct Board retreat
Evaluate progress Strategic plan, orient new member
o
Emphasize FUN - plan
group activities for Board
·
Focus of Goals: Staff
o
Assist BoD with
Strategic plan and other goals
o
Continue to improve
QuickBooks record keeping and financial statements
o
Review and simplify
the Conflict of Interest Policy & Background check policy
o
Attend NEPA training
·
Focus of Goals:
Facilities/Operations
o
Replace crew vehicle
o
Increase tool
inventory
o
Repair office roof
External Relationships-
Marketing/communications/reputation
·
Focus of Goals:
Partnerships/Reputation
o
Donate guided hikes
for SCVB travel writers
o
Work with SEARHC on
health related trails promotions and activities.
o
Improve relationship
with STA
·
Focus of Goals:
Marketing/Communication.
o
Publish Spring and
Fall newsletters
o
Use email newsletter
more frequently – steer members to website
o
Keep website up to
date
o
Board members each
lead at least one hike
o
Plan Invasive weeds
hike in July
o
Promote 2008 AHS theme
“Join us on the trail!”
o
Increase visibility of
STW in the Community.
§
Create a Board Public
Relations Committee.
§
Increase advertising
and PSA’s
§
Give Presentation to
Assembly and Rotary etc
o
Board members develop
elevator speeches
o
Develop printed
materials that explain who we are and what we do
§
Write “State of the
Trails” report for legislators and CBS Assembly
o
Schedule April noon
luncheons with Administrator and Assembly members
o
Communicate economic
benefits of trails in public forums
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