Our Strategic Plan
2008-2012
Strategic Planning Committee:
Gene Kramer
Julie Ketchum
Wayne Gjerde
Michael Gerdes
Marcus Zbinden
Ellen Telander
Introduction
The Recycling Association of Minnesota (RAM) completed its first strategic plan in 1998 and updated it in 2003. A group of RAM members and staff met during 2007 to review the plan and identify areas for change.
Current Mission Statement:
The Recycling Association of Minnesota is committed to promoting resource conservation through waste prevention, reuse, recycling, composting, energy development and adopting purchasing practices using the most cost effective and environmentally sound methods available in Minnesota.
Vision Statement
The Recycling Association of Minnesota will provide the recycling and composting education, support and advocacy needed to lead the way in increasing recycling within the State of Minnesota.
Membership
In 1998, RAM’s membership stood at 100. During the formulation of the 2003-2007 strategic plan, RAM’s membership was 200. As of September 2007, the membership stood at 218. The composition of the membership is as follows.
Individual or Associate Memberships: 42
Small business: 43
Nonprofit: 19
Government: 92
Large Business: 22
There are 87 counties in Minnesota. As of 2007, there are about 100 Solid Waste Administrators working in Minnesota. Being that most are currently RAM members, the potential growth in the government sector is unlikely. RAM should focus on attracting businesses and nonprofit organizations such as schools and educational leaders.
Currently (in 2008), more and more businesses are seeking ways to reduce their carbon footprint and implementing green practices. . Another timely and relevant issue is electronic waste (e-waste). RAM should strive to be the primary e-waste recycling educator on this issue in Minnesota. RAM could prove to be a useful source of information and host e-waste events throughout the state.
Despite these potential areas for growth, it is highly unlikely that RAM will be able to double membership levels within five years (by 2012) as was stated in the last strategic plan. Instead, RAM should focus on maintaining membership levels through strong retention and slow growth in the membership. RAM’s focus should be to create a more financially sound organization and find secure funding sources. Government grants are not a viable option.
Major Promotional Tasks Completed in 2007:
- RAM updated its membership brochure in 2007 and increased membership dues. Prior to this increase, the membership dues had not changed in five years.
- RAM’s website was updated continuously throughout 2007. Several new educational tools were added to improve traffic.
- RAM had a booth at the Living Green Expo, which provided great visibility. This environmental expo is the largest in Minnesota, with nearly 20,000 people attending.
- The “RAM News” email that is sent weekly to the RAM membership was improved by creating it in an HTML format using Constant Contact, an email marketing company.
State of Recycling in Minnesota:
View MPCA MN Recycling Stats 2007 herein named “Exhibit A” (External Analysis).
Specific Five-Year Work Plan
Outcome 1: Raise the public profile of recycling and recycled products.
Strategy 1.1: Help RAM members to communicate effectively with their local media .
Strategy 1.2: Find opportunities to work with Minnesota’s media outlets.
Strategy 1.3: Continue to develop buy-recycled and recycling resources for Minnesota consumers through outreach and regional/statewide events and recycling programs .
Strategy 1.4: Submit press releases to the media (metro and greater Minnesota).
Outcome 2: Increase RAM’s revenue and organizational strength.
Strategy 2.1: Activate the development committee with set achievement goals .
Committee would help the RAM Executive Director with fundraising, membership sales and grant writing. The committee will help create and procure an annual work plan.
Strategy 2.2: Increase membership.
Strategy 2.3: Diversify funding sources and explore funding sources through foundations.
Membership: RAM should focus on maintaining membership levels through strong retention and growth in the membership.
Recycling Programs: Recycling collection, processing and marketing programs are a way to provide funding to any association when markets are strong. It is also a way to actively promote and improve recycling efforts in Minnesota. Away-from-home recycling is a niche that no other environmental organization has successfully filled and there is a need for this type of education and program implementation in Minnesota. RAM could fill this niche and generate revenue. .
Strategy 2.4: Increase financial reserves to one year’s worth of expenses.
Strategy 2.5: Assure administrative continuity.
Outcome 3: Be an educational resource to waste generators and recycling advocates on recycling topics for which there are few other sources and for underserved audiences.
Strategy 3.1: Serve small businesses and schools with recycling information.
Strategy 3.2: Boost recycling at major venues in the state and away-from-home locations.
Outcome 4: Build a “big tent” for membership under which many diverse interests, including citizens, can meet and exchange dialogue for mutual benefit.
Strategy 4.1: Explore non-voting citizen membership with a limited number of member benefits.
Strategy 4.2: Provide quality membership services .
Strategy 4.3: Continue to convene an annual conference , but explore other conference or seminar opportunities.
Strategy 4.4: Improve member communication and networking opportunities through RAM eNEWS and consistent member training events and educational tours. Provide a feedback survey on each RAM eNEWS to improve member communications. Explore working jointly with other organizations on events.
Strategy 4.5: Provide monthly membership conference calls or “virtual brownbags” on a previously planned recycling topic.
Outcome 5: Provide a consistent and consensus-building approach to policy issues.
Strategy 5.1: Explore the need to regularly convene the policy committee . Explore the use of the policy committee as a forum discussion for membership and to provide updates to the RAM board on policy issues.
Strategy 5.2: Maintain timely communication to and from members .
Strategy 5.3: Present unbiased information to lawmakers when they are faced with issues that affect recycling and composting within the State.
