Report to members – progress against Strategic Plan –at March 2021

STRATEGIC GOALS

Goal 1

Develop a culture of continual improvement through photographic knowledge and skills training.

1. Develop and present a ‘Fundamentals of Photography’ type of course for beginner photographers.
   Mar 2021
   The Handbook has not progressed for several reasons – Covid lockdowns during 2020, unavailability of the Member who was going to update the Handbook. There has been some research into Courses that may be available through other Clubs or commercially.
2. Develop and present in-house a more intermediate photography course for novice photographers.
   Mar 2021
   See 1. Above – still a future priority, however the formation & commencement of Interest Groups are expected to deliver some of the skills in this area.
3. Introduction of specialty workshops for photographers in special interest groups, including different genres and techniques.
   Mar 2021
   Initially delayed due to Covid Lockdowns, Special Interest Groups are up and running (some more so than others).  The Club has had a change of venue for meetings from the end of 2020 & we still have access to the new venue each Tuesday night & are able to  utilise the venue for our Special Interest Groups
   
   

Goal 2

Co-ordinated scheduling and planning to align skills training, with skills themed outings.

1.  Implement Program & Outings Coordinator roles, with supporting volunteers, to oversee outings and training events/ specialist speakers.
   
   
2. Establish a yearly calendar plan of club photographic outings that ensure that skills learned the previous month can be practiced in the chosen locations.
   
   
3. Establish and promote a yearly calendar plan of skills base training workshops and presentations.
   
   Mar 2021

Outings were not able to be undertaken for the majority of 2020 because of the Covid Outbreak & consequent restrictions that commenced in March 2020.  The Committee has been proactively planning guest speakers & has established a calendar for the Special Interest group meetings & activities in 2021. Phil has continued as the Outings Coordinator.  The Secretary/VP has undertaken steps to obtain a co-ordinator for each of the Special Interest Groups – this is ongoing. 

Very little in the way of workshop activities have been able to be undertaken throughout 2020.  These activities will hopefully be progressed more in the Special Interest Group activities in 2021.

Goal 3

Source external specialty skills training workshops for photographers in special interest groups.

1. Formation of special interest groups.
   Mar 2021
   Deferred due to Pandemic restrictions – to be a priority for 2021
2. Promote these groups to new members
   Mar 2021
   Deferred due to Pandemic restrictions – to be a priority for 2021
3. Respond to training needs by sourcing appropriate speakers, resource materials and assisting in awareness of external opportunities for development.
   Mar 2021
   This continued as much as possible throughout 2020 – Coordination of speakers & forthcoming subjects were continued via our Zoom meetings & were quite successful
4. Encourage Special interest group outings.
   Mar 2021
   Deferred due to Pandemic restrictions – to be a priority for 2021

Goal 4

Establish an in-house team of mentors that cater to the various skill levels of members.

1. Encourage experienced members to take on a mentoring role for less experienced and newer members.
   Mar 2021
   Unable to do much face to face due to Pandemic restrictions – continuing priority for 2021
2. Encourage all members to take on a buddy role in assisting new members.
   Mar 2021
   As per 1. above

Goal 5

Develop and maintain modern and up-to-date communications and social media platforms.

1. Refresh club website. –
   Mar 2021
   Completed & continuing in maintenance mode
2. Refresh monthly newsletter. –
   Mar 2021  
   Monthly Newsletters have not been consistently issued through 2020 due to unavailability of the Member who was undertaking this.  Covid lockdown also impacted this function. To be reassessed during 2021
3. Develop a new look new members handbook.
   
   Mar 2021
   Deferred due to Pandemic restrictions – to be a priority for 2021
4. Encourage all members to use club social media as a source of information sharing. –
   Mar 2021
   Social Media (Web Page & private Facebook Group) operating effectively throughout 2020 & the club has also implemented the use of the Zoom application so that ‘remote’ members can participate in Club meetings.  This was critical in keeping the club functioning effectively during Covid restrictions.
5. Use social media to promote club activities to the wider community.
   Mar 2021
   The Website is receiving regular ‘views’ and queries from members of the public & has been the source of new member enquiries & memberships.  Instagram link is not yet functioning & will be a future priority
   
   

Goal 6

Develop and encourage a positive pathway towards succession planning.

1. All elected and non-elected positions to take on an assistant-in-training and to help share the workload.
   Mar 2021
   Job statements are completed & have been published to members.  Slideshow preparation has now transferred successfully to Brenden & continued via Zoom during 2020 restrictions
2. Implement a system where newly elected members have a defined period in which to settle into their new role before the stepping down of the previous member.
   Mar 2021
   This occurred as much as possible in 2020 & is planned to continue in 2021