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Association of ADFAS Strategic Plan 2020-2026: ‘Embracing the Arts, enriching Australia’

9 CONCLUSION To build the future, asking ourselves what we’re proud of was a good place to
start – refer Section 2.1.1 Achievements from the Towards 2010 Objectives.

“This Strategic Plan is new ground for ADFAS as we enter the next stage of Also, by respecting those who went before and supporting those who follow, we
development. Having been involved in the initial stage of planning in Jan. 2020, I acknowledge the great privilege of belonging to a unique collegiate body called
understand it having many complexities, but at the same time the need for the Plan simply ADFAS. The enthusiasm of our hundreds of volunteers encourages the
to be simple so it can be greased easily by all involved “ belief that ADFAS will continue to thrive, providing members with opportunities to
- Peter Windeyer, former National Secretary, March 2020 develop their knowledge of the fine arts, and to support the preservation of
Australia’s national artistic heritage.
It is perhaps a surprise to many ADFAS Members that since the ‘expiry’ of the 2005
Strategic Plan titled ‘Towards 2010’, little has since been documented by The Budgetary Net Costs of the nominated priority items from Section 7 are
consensus on the fundamental level of values, vision, and a plan to achieve our estimated in Table 9 as $67K once off and $45K recurring annual. The Success
goals. However, with this Association of ADFAS Strategic Plan 2020-2026: Indicators listed in Table 8 will be the payoff for this strategic investment.
‘Embracing the Arts, enriching Australia’, and with the Association and society-
defined commitments that lie behind it, we are fixing that. This Strategic Plan sets “We on the EC definitely have the obligation to now put the legs under the Strategic
out a bold and ambitious vision for the Association of ADFAS Inc. It provides a Plan and develop a Business Plan to support it.”
clear and important challenge to secure a constructive and sustainable future for - Jane Smith, Vice Chairman, Sept. 2020
both the Association and the (38) ADFAS Societies as relevant member-focused
organisations. “This has been a steep learning curve and I am still learning but am keen to ensure
that we do all the right things to make this Strategic Plan succeed.”
This Strategic Plan which arrives at an important turning point in the history of - Susan Drummond, Chairman, Sept. 2020
th
ADFAS – having in 2019 celebrated its 30 Anniversary - is the result of an intense
and rigorous process of thought, questions, analysis, consultation and choices in
the context of significant challenges, especially resourcing (i.e. people, finances, 9.1 Societies
facilities, technology). Equally as important, the Strategic Plan has been shaped There is absolutely no doubt that the impact of COVID-19 on ADFAS Societies is
by the characteristics and challenges faced in a new decade by arts-associated not going to be temporary. The new ‘normal is still being refined and may prove to
organisations that depend almost entirely on volunteers to remain sustainable and be a moving object.
maintain their Unique Selling Proposition (USP).
For this reason alone, ideally, each Society would now go on to produce its own
Indeed, in 2020, the world is experiencing enormous disturbance, and that’s a key individualised Strategic Plan in concert with the Association’s Strategic Plan.
reason why it is essential for ADFAS stakeholders to think in terms of 'interactive
and ongoing strategic planning' rather than a static plan. This may be a lot to expect, but it would be a great thing if at least the larger
Societies could undertake their own strategic planning exercise. Undoubtedly a
Upon it, but only with sharing of the 'heavy lifting', the stakeholders CAN build an ‘standard’ simplified format could be established to make it easier.
appealing future for ADFAS, along with courageous/innovative new pathways for
meeting Members' needs. The amazing and innovative ways in which ADFAS One advantage would be that when the next annual review of this Strategic Plan
addressed the huge challenges of COVID-19 in CY 2020 at the Association/ falls due, there will be more informed people to contribute meaningfully.
Council, EC, LC and Societies levels resoundingly prove this to be so.

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