2025 Strategic Plan: Mission, Vision, Strategic Focus Areas, their Components, and Areas of Emphasis Throughout

Our Mission and Vision form the foundation of the framework.   The Mission Statement defines the organization’s purpose and explains why it exists.  It answers stakeholders’ questions about who we serve, what we do and why we do it.  The Mission Statement lets people know who we are and what we value.  Our Vision Statement describes what our organization would like to see in the future as a result of our efforts.  It tells people what we want to become.

From that Mission and Vision, we develop strategies on how to achieve our vision.  In the framework of this plan, our work is organized around strategic focus areas and their components.  We have also designated areas of emphasis to be considered throughout all of our work.  These areas of emphasis help in achieving the themes associated with our strategic focus areas.

After the plan is approved, we can then proceed to implementation by setting annual goals and work plans with short-term objectives to get us to our long-term vision.   These annual goals will include measurement and metrics not only to assist in gauging our degree of success, but also to increase our learning so that we can become more effective and have greater positive impact in the community.

Mission

Engage our diverse community, cultivate a unique sense of place and enhance quality of life.

Vision

A Columbia that is intentionally diverse, committed to wellness, sustainable, beautiful, connected and resilient.

From this Mission and Vision, we have designated four Strategic Focus Areas.  The work to which we aspire to do can be summarized (categorized) within the components of the 4 Strategic Focus Areas.  The aim of this work can be reflected in the themes:

These strategic focus areas and their components help us to organize our work.  By mapping out the components of these focus areas, we take stock of the work that needs to be done and get a general idea of what it entails.  The strategic focus area titles also provide themes that set the direction for our organization in the long term.  They address the destination we are trying to reach from our Vision.  As we look forward to the next 5 years themes of Connection, Wellness, Sustainability and Resilience are emphasized.

To sharpen our aim, we have selected five areas of emphasis to be addressed throughout our work.  These areas of emphasis are the lenses through which we approach the work we do.  They are key strategies for carrying out the themes of our vision.

Along with the Mission and Vision, Strategic Focus Areas, and Emphasis Areas, organizational goals and objectives are the final elements used to complete the framework of this Strategic Plan. This framework (shown below) will help to guide the organization, while fostering collaboration and accountability toward shared objectives.

Clear goals facilitate better communication with stakeholders about CA’s organizational strategy and priorities, which fosters transparency. Using the Mission, Vision, Strategic Focus Areas and emphasis areas as guiding principles, leadership can develop organizational goals and staff workplans that reflect the themes of the Strategic Plan and serve to further CA’s commitment to the community.

Additionally, by establishing strategic goals and measurable objectives within this defined plan framework, leadership creates a roadmap for success while enhancing effectiveness across all levels of the organization.

Strategic Plan Framework