05/24/2016

In my mind, strategic planning is a highly participatory process. Most of you are probably already aware of our listening sessions scheduled for late July. I trust you are making plans to be there.
This is critical on two counts:

· First, we need for you to attend a session to get your honest input, feedback and insights. Your participation is key to the success of our planning process. So much so, unless you already have work plans that can’t be changed, or personal plans that are not flexible, we really expect you to participate in a session.

· Second, I am asking you to invite our key stakeholders (and even transport as many as you can) to join you in attending a listening session. Their contribution is also critical in the development of our strategic plan.

Our IPS Strategic Plan listening sessions organizing team has been hard at work scheduling the statewide meetings. The employee and stakeholder listening sessions will be the foundation of our strategic plan. Your attendance, and that of the stakeholders you bring to the sessions, ensures the data we collect will inform a most excellent organizational path forward.

Below are the links for the statewide sessions. Please find the session closest to your duty station and register so we know how many people to expect (we will be providing lunch at each session). If you have any questions please direct them to me, your executive director or any of your colleagues on the
steering committee. You may also share this link with our partners and stakeholders who plan to attend so they can register as well. Or, you can confirm their attendance and register for them.

IPS Session I, July 26, 12:30-3:30 PM, Jackson:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ips-listening-session-i-registration-25395548770

IPS Session II, July 27, 9:30 AM – 12:30 PM, Nashville:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ips-listening-session-ii-registration-25395695208

IPS Session III, July 27, 12:30 – 3:30 PM, Nashville:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ips-listening-session-iii-registration-25395749370

IPS Session IV, July 28, 12:30 – 3:30 PM, Knoxville:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/ips-listening-session-iv-registration-25395677154

In preparation for these listening sessions I hope you will reflect upon our mission, our rich history of excellent programs, our current opportunities and challenges, and the promising future we want to create.

I can hardly wait to see you there!

Herb