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The Academy Board of Trustees approved the Strategic Plan for 2006-2011 at its February 3-4 meetings. This plan is driven by a strong desire to improve programs – our academic uses. It is grounded in a detailed financial model. It is committed to improving the Academy's ability to fulfill its mission. And it has an exciting vision for growth.
The thrust of our planning is that as we improve and add educational programs, we will attract more students to the Secondary Schools and the College. This will help us fulfill the very first purpose of our Charter: "to propagate the doctrines and establish the New Church."
The Process:
The planning process began in December 2003, led by a Strategic
Planning Committee chaired by Board member Bill McCardell
and vice-chair Dan Allen. (Committee members are listed here.)
The committee had its first full meeting in June 2004 and has been
meeting regularly ever since. Much of the work in producing the
plan was conducted by five subcommittees:
- Secondary Schools Programs
- College Programs
- Finance
- Facilities
- Marketing
Early in the process, a broad subcommittee interviewed planning firms and unanimously selected Sasaki Associates, a master planning firm from Boston, to help in the planning process. Sasaki is well-qualified in all aspects of the planning – academics, finance, facilities and landscaping – and it has been a most productive relationship.
The plan has been carefully thought through to project what is best
for the Academy to improve its offerings and to grow. There were
six essential guidelines:
- Building a strong relationship with the General Church
- Contributing to distinctive New Church education
- Prudent, viable growth
- Prudent financial management
- A governance structure capable of responding to needs
- Excellence in all that we do
The committee determined early on that for long-range
planning to be effective, it must have collaboration and support
from the General Church, the Bryn Athyn Society and other organizations.
As the General Church develops and implements its own strategic
plan, the Academy will work with societies around the world to promote
New Church education and the establishment of the Church.
The Vision:
As part of his vision for the growth and development of the Church, Bishop Tom Kline says that as Executive Bishop of the General Church, "I am committed to the value of strategic planning and look forward as the General Church determines its strategic goals and plans to implement them." As Chancellor of the Academy, he understands the Academy's need to move forward before the Church is ready to do its planning and that he "fully endorses the Academy's strategic planning process and the direction it is taking. The Academy is a vital part of the General Church, and as each organization succeeds, it brings increased strength and purpose to the other."
Bishop Kline has stated five goals as core to the General Church
plan:
- Step-by-step programs of assimilation
- A vision for the spiritual and natural growth of the organization
- Coordinated efforts (General Church, Academy, societies)
- Clearly articulate expectations and standards
- Serve and assist societies
President Prescott Rogers uses the "Parable
of the Sower" to present his vision for the Academy.
The Lord as the Sower spreads His truths among a variety of people, some of whom don't receive the truths, some of whom do but don't appropriate them, and some who make them an integral part of their lives. Spreading seeds is part of the concept of "propagating the doctrines" in the Academy Charter.
Traditionally we have relied on the children of General Church parents to attend the Academy, and for that we are grateful. The Academy has for decades been successful in planting truths in their minds for the benefit of the Church and of society. But propagation also means to spread the Word. We in the Academy have the responsibility of teaching truths to all potential students who would benefit from their experience at the Academy and who would bring benefit to the Academy, to the Church and to the world.
(Please click here to see President Rogers' complete vision statement).
Highlights:
Among Academy-wide goals in the plan are:
- Reinforcing our relationship with the General Church
- Involving clergy and Theological School in the life of the Academy
- Encouraging and assisting students who wish to be ministers and teachers
- Encouraging students to become involved in the life of the Church
- Focused effort on recruiting ministers and teachers
- Continue development of New Church K-12 curriculum
- Internships in partnership with General Church, focused on use
- Partnerships in online learning to enhance New Church education
- Maximize use of our facilities to introduce and explain our beliefs
- Increased research and professional development
- Development of spiritual, moral and civic values in our students
- Utilize outcomes measures to enhance programs
- Emphasize community service; brand the College with the Doctrine of Use
- Develop an Ambassador Program to involve alumni in communication, support and recruitment
Growth:
President Rogers has said: "We are not growing for the sake of growth or for the sake of revenue from tuition dollars. We are growing because we see this as fulfilling our commitment to the Charter's first purpose." The Academy will not be changing its admissions policies, its curriculum or its mission. We want more students from within and outside the Church "who have a genuine desire to learn about the Lord in His Threefold Word, to learn all subjects in the light of that Word, and to abide by the tenets of a spiritually moral life."
The emphasis in our planning is on sound financial modeling. We will do only what we can afford to do, and will ask donors to support only what is feasible, responsible and necessary for prudent growth.
In order to do responsible and responsive planning for its land,
facilities and financial resources, the Academy must project enrollments
well into the future.
- Bryn Athyn College is planning for enrollments up to 1,500, with incremental targets along the way.
- The optimal scenario for the Secondary Schools limits the size to 400-500, with 150-200 boarding. Ideally, as the Church grows, other societies will be able to support K-12 schools.
- Short-term (10-year) goals are 18 in the Theological School, 250 in the College, and 300 in the Secondary Schools.
Academy Needs:
- Student and faculty housing, especially for College
- College Science/Classroom Building, including a student union and dining area (more than $1 million already donated)
- Renovation of existing Dining Hall, which is in poor condition
- Renovations to Secondary Schools science classrooms
- Site improvements, including College entrance
- Increased financial aid for students
A capital campaign to support these needs will be launched in the near future.
Poised for the Future:
The teams that recently re-accredited both the Secondary Schools
and the College/Theological School each came to see that the Academy
is a gem just waiting to be discovered, and that our faculties,
students and facilities are real treasures.
BMWW, a consulting firm that helped the College with its recruiting strategy, said there surely are thousands of students within a 50-mile radius who want what the Academy has to offer. They just don't know it's here.
Sasaki Associates quickly came to see the Academy as poised to take off and grow. They love the integrity of our teachings and values, the setting that enhances our spiritual mission, and the Doctrine of Use as a calling to students interested in service and spirituality.
In his 2004 commencement address to the Secondary Schools, Neil Genzlinger (BS '73), an editor at The New York Times, said: "The world needs what you've got. The world needs people of intelligence who are operating from a foundation of spiritual truth. But there's the trick: The world doesn't know that it needs what you've got."
The new Strategic Plan for 2006-2011 is the beginning of the answer.
February 8, 2006
Strategic Plan Committee Members: please
click here.
Academy Board of Trustees: please
click here
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