We launched a strategic planning process at the 2008 NAAEE Annual Conference in Wichita. Throughout this process we have been gathering information from our constituents and stakeholders, including an online survey that was distributed in November 2008, as well as a series of focus groups, interviews and open forums.

Input of many people, like you, has been and continues to be an integral part of the current strategic planning process. For the online survey, we were pleased to have nearly 1,000 respondents.  Approximately half of the respondents were current members and half either non-members or former members.

As you might expect, NAAEE members and former members value networking opportunities provided by their membership, including conference and non-conference opportunities. Respondents also indicated a desire to see stronger partnerships with affiliates as well as state, provincial, and regional environmental education associations.

You provided valuable information, not only on what member benefits are important to you, but also your satisfaction and priorities for the work of the NAAEE. The market research gathered has informed the strategic planning efforts and been instrumental in developing a new vision. The following new vision was adopted by the NAAEE Board on March 27, 2009:

“By 2015, the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE) will be the premier organization in Canada, the United States, and Mexico providing environmental educators, and the organizations that train, employ, and support those educators with professional development, guidelines for excellence, networking, and advocacy, all within a culture of inclusivity.”

Now, the strategic planning team and NAAEE board are taking steps to build the future of the organization by creating a set of strategic initiatives in support of the new vision. The full vision, along with guiding bullets, is available on the NAAEE website at

http://www.naaee.org/sp

Thank you for contributing to that vision, and the future of NAAEE.