MONTANA ECONOMIC DEVELOPERS ASSOCIATION
STRATEGIC PLAN
GOAL 1: Training and Professional Development. Provide professional development and services for individuals that are members of MEDA. Champion: MEDA Board
Objective #1: Provide a minimum of four specific training opportunities (i.e., two sessions per conference) with at least two conferences held each year. Training topics will be based on feedback received from conference evaluation sheets and suggestions from Board members and others.
Objective #2: Continue providing scholarships for professional training related to economic development at a minimum of $6,000 per year. Champion: Anne Boothe
Objective #3: Through the MEDA listserve and website, post opportunities for training and training scholarship funding.
GOAL #2: Public Policy/Legislative Actions: progressive rather than reactive.
Champions: Rick Edwards and the Legislative Committee
Objective #1: Publish and present MEDA’s established legislative agenda to the state administration, media, associations and key stakeholders.
Objective #2: Have MEDA Legislative Committee, Board and membership present legislative agenda to state political parties.
Objective #3: Request local and regional economic development organizations hold area-wide legislative briefings prior to Labor Day to present MEDA Legislative Agenda. Follow-up those briefings with a brief questionnaire to learn candidate’s stance on agenda issues prior to the election.
Objective #5: Keep MEDA members updated throughout the legislative session regarding MEDA’s agenda and other legislative items of interest.
Objective #6: Continue to have MEDA Legislative & Public Policy Committee monitor state activity.
Objective #7: Continue to have MEDA Legislative & Public Policy Committee monitor federal legislation and other federal program activities that impact the Montana economic development climate.
Objective #8: Invite Senate and House Business and Labor Committee Members to MEDA conferences.
GOAL #3: Communication Network: listserve, website, etc.
Champion: Gloria O’Rourke
Objective #1: Continue effective use of listserves, calendar and website for MEDA members and separately for the general public. Effectiveness will be measured by increased membership, improved use of calendar and increased hits to MEDA’s web site.
Objective #2: Compile and publish a monthly online MEDA newsletter to serve as a member-to-member communication tool.
GOAL #4: BEAR and Resource Team Assessments
Champion: Andy Poole and Gloria O’Rourke
Objective #1: Perform and complete duties as described under contract with MEDA and MDOC.
Objective #2: Provide technical assistance and support for the BEAR program and Resource Team Assessments upon request of a CRDC and upon approval by the MEDA Board.
GOAL #5: Public Relations
Champion: Dick King
Objective #1: Provide press releases on MEDA activities when relevant.
Objective #2: Provide press release following every conference, resource team assessment and community follow-up visits.
Objective #3: Provide a fact sheet for media outlets explaining the purpose and activities of MEDA.
GOAL #6: Administrative/Internal. MEDA budget, staffing, policies, etc.
Champion: MEDA Board
Objective #1: Provide economic development support and guidance to membership.
Objective #2: Dues structure designed to support scholarship program and provide economic development liaison services.
Objective #3: Treasurer will provide an annual budget to the Board before December of each year.
Objective #4: Provide support, guidance and direction to MEDA Working Groups in regard to key initiatives involving statewide Economic Development organizations.
