Center’s Strategic Planning Community Outreach Engages Over 350 People

One of the most important responsibilities of the Board of Directors is to ensure the future direction for the Center is established and achieved. Earlier this year the Center’s board initiated a strategic planning process and appointed a task force to guide the effort. The board extends their appreciation to the following task force and community members for their help:
• Gail Mancarti, Board President and Task Force Co-chair
• Rev. Jason Bense, Pastor Lutheran Church of Our Redeemer and Co-chair
• Bob Herne, MSW, Executive Director Sierra Forever Families
• LaKeysia Beene, Attorney
• Sara Freid, Past Interim Executive Director Sacramento Gay & Lesbian Center
• Alicia Stammer, Consultant
• Nik Bonovich, Provided Data Analysis for the Task Force

The board also wishes to thank the community members who participated in strategic planning focus groups, the on-line survey, and interviews. These perspectives and comments have enriched the discussion of the Center’s future. In addition to the 288 respondents to the on-line survey, the following communities of interest participated in the focus groups and the board wants to acknowledge their support:
• Faith-based Organizations
• Local Businesses
• LGBTQ and Ally Community Members
• Parents
• Center Staff and Volunteers

A commitment was made to report on the progress of planning after completion of this initial phase. The board, however, is allowing the Center’s new executive director, Shara Perkins-Murphy, to expand the engagement process over the next 60 days. She has plans to further engage donors, volunteers, and community partners to build on the information already collected in widening the picture of the Center’s current and potential role within the community.