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Welcome to the Strategic Plan for Destination ImagiNation, Inc. Within the following document, you will find the passion and the excitement of our corporation as it is captured in our vision, mission and action plans. The Destination ImagiNation Board of Trustees developed this strategic plan with extensive input from the DI community and will be using it as our guide for growth and expansion. We feel strongly that our programs make a positive and creative difference in the lives of all those involved in Destination ImagiNation. Please read and join us on our Destination ImagiNation journey.
Nancy Wingenbach, Ph.D.
Chair, International Board of Trustees
Destination ImagiNation,Inc.
Introduction
This document sets forth the goals and principles that guide the participants, volunteers, staff, and affiliates of Destination ImagiNation, Inc. It outlines a strategic
approach to ensure recognition of Destination ImagiNation, Inc. and its programs as synonymous with excellence in educational programming.
Today, effective educational programming in all areas of life is faced with redefining the skills needed for success in a world characterized by risk and uncertainty as well as significant opportunity. We believe that Destination ImagiNation, Inc., is well positioned to create and deliver the kind of programming that develops these needed skills in participants, young and old.
Our strategic plan for 2008- 2013 is the product of an effort by numerous volunteers and staff members and is supported by significant contributions from the Destination ImagiNation community. The plan invites the active participation of all of our stakeholders as we build upon our strengths, address our weaknesses, and work to realize our potential.
A large number of action plans will emerge from this planning process. Some of these will be purely administrative in nature; some will require significant tactical development; some will call upon the diverse skills and talents of our community. Guided by the broad framework that follows, our executive staff will develop and implement annual business plans outlining specific activities and targets, along with timelines to measure our progress. We will continually assess the effectiveness of our actions against these objectives, and we will be accountable to our stakeholders for regular updates.
Board of Trustees, Destination ImagiNation, Inc.
II. The Destination ImagiNation Story
Destination Imagination, Inc. is the world's leading non-profit corporation providing creative problem solving programs for individuals of all ages. The organization of today is the product of two historical paths sharing a common commitment to creativity, problem solving, and teamwork. The result is that every year thousands of participants around the world join in the organization’s programs.
The origins of Destination ImagiNation, Inc., are found in the 1983 incorporation of OM Association, Inc., as a federally registered non-profit organization with a mission of conducting programs in creativity for children. Throughout the next 15 years, OM Association, Inc., developed national, state, and provincial volunteer organizations to conduct annual programs and spread creativity around the globe. The organization achieved dramatic growth so that by the end of the 1990s, it had served more than one million students.
The other path to today’s Destination ImagiNation, Inc., began in 1999 when nearly 200 international volunteers came together through a variety of communication medium to create an entirely new creative problem-solving program. Working intensely throughout the summer months of 1999, this dedicated “super team” built the Destination ImagiNation® program from the ground up, finally releasing program materials and accepting participants in the Fall of 1999. By the time the organization welcomed 750 teams to its initial Global Finals in May 2000, more than 100,000 students had participated in the program - a stunning first-year accomplishment.
Shortly after the Destination ImagiNation® program was launched, in the Fall of 1999, the organization’s Board of Directors and the Board of Directors of OM Association, Inc., unanimously agreed to pursue merger of the two organizations. That merger was completed in 2000, and the new organization seated its
member-elected Board of Trustees that August. In January 2001, the name of the new organization officially became Destination ImagiNation, Inc., with
corporate headquarters located in Glassboro, New Jersey.
Destination ImagiNation, Inc., continues its focus on creative excellence to this day. With an extensive global network of staff and volunteers to carry out its
programs, Destination ImagiNation, Inc. stands today as the world’s oldest, largest, and best producer of creative problem solving programs and activities for
learners of all ages.
III. Mission and Vision
Mission
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. dedicates itself to enriching the global community and the lives of all those touched by our programs by providing opportunities to
explore and discover unlimited creative potential through teamwork, cooperation and mutual respect.
Adopted 1/2008
Vision
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. seeks to be to be the world’s foremost non-profit membership organization dedicated to promoting three critical life skills among
learners at all levels: Creativity, Teamwork, and Problem-Solving. These three life skills form the core of our organization’s value system. We strive to encourage, teach, and celebrate Creativity in the Global Community. We will develop programs that provide a positive and fun environment for participants to explore their own unlimited creativity and to take creative risks. We will recognize outstanding creativity in our programs . We will provide parents, educators, businesses, governments, and others with tools for encouraging and developing creativity in children and in themselves. We will work to
promote the value of creativity in all facets of the global community. We will utilize our own creativity within our organization.
We believe that teamwork is necessary for success in our world, and that people, working as a Team, can achieve extraordinary things. We will develop
programs and tools to encourage and assist parents, educators and others in promoting the value of teamwork.
Our members and volunteers are our Team, and we welcome their participation in developing our organization. Both in our organization and in our programs, our Teams will embrace cooperation and mutual respect in all activities.
We believe that our world requires successful creative Problem-Solving strategies, thus we will develop creative Problem-Solving skills among students and adults who participate in our programs. We will celebrate the creative Problem-Solving process and the accomplishments of our members and participants. We will recognize those who demonstrate outstanding achievement in creative Problem-Solving. We will view our organizational challenges as opportunities to utilize our own Problem-Solving skills and strategies. We will continually strive to improve those skills and strategies within our organization.
IV. Our Goals
- Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will achieve a level of recognition in the post-secondary educational community, and the business (work-force) community.
- Destination ImagiNation, Inc., and its programs will achieve a significant level of recognition outside the English-speaking community.
- Destination ImagiNation, Inc., will be financially healthy, and will operate to the highest degree of fiscal integrity.
V. Strategic Priorities
During the period 2008-2013 we will pursue the following strategic priorities in support of our mission:
- We will build and promote the brands of Destination ImagiNation, Inc. as a symbol of excellence in educational programming. Our creative problem
solving programs will achieve broad global recognition. Affiliation with our organization will become a mark of prestige among the corporate and philanthropic communities.
- We will build and develop the world’s most comprehensive and effective infrastructure for delivery of educational programming. Through this infrastructure, all participants in the programs of Destination ImagiNation Inc. will be assured of consistently excellent, rewarding, and enjoyable educational experiences.
- We will expand the program portfolio of Destination ImagiNation Inc., to reach far beyond the traditional market of North American elementary and intermediate schools. Through internal development and partnership, we will establish a select program, offering life-long learning, from pre-Kindergarten through University, and into adulthood.
- We will maintain a level of excellence and an attitude of continuous improvement in all programming and operational efforts.
- We will develop, support, recognize, reward and expand our global network of volunteers.
- We will develop multiple sources for funding the programs of Destination ImagiNation Inc. to insure the fiscal integrity of the organization.
VI. Programmatic Values
As the world’s oldest and largest nonprofit corporation providing creative problem solving programs to the world’s communities, Destination ImagiNation, Inc.,
continues its focus on creative excellence to this day. Our current and future programs and activities will be dedicated to the following:
- Fostering creative and critical thinking among all participants.
- Learning and application of creative problem solving method and tools.
- Development of teamwork, collaboration, and leadership skills.
- Nurturing of research and inquiry skills, involving both creative exploration and attention to detail.
- Enhancement of written and verbal communication and presentation skills.
- Promoting the recognition, use, and development of many and varied strengths and talents.
Encouraging competence in, enthusiasm for, and commitment to real-life problem solving.
VII. Strategic Plan – Core Competencies
We will fulfill our mission by developing the following core competencies and by leveraging these competencies in everything we do.
A. People
Our volunteers, staff, and participants will engage each other in a culture of creativity, teamwork, and respect. Through our excitement for our participants, we will foster an environment that encourages high participant development as well as output. Through our programs, we will encourage participants and their mentors to enhance their creativity, consider alternative perspectives, and identify and solve real problems. Through our development, we will strive to provide people with resources and opportunities to learn and grow together in their thoughts and actions as they work. Through our events, we will provide recognition and reward to those who achieve a level of excellence.
B. Programs
Participants in the programs of Destination ImagiNation, Inc., will develop creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving skills. They will benefit from diverse participant perspectives, operational excellence, and opportunities to be recognized for achievement beyond the traditional standards.
C. Events
Our events, including tournaments, trainings, and seminars, will set the standard for excitement in educationally based activities. Events will be unique celebrations of programmatic objectives. The emphasis on competition is minimized, but the reward for achievement is real. Events for adults will combine participation and activity in unique learning opportunities with distinctive real-world relevance.
D. External Relations
We will define our relevant communities to include those who directly share in our programmatic life (participants, volunteers, organizations, and staff) and those who support us (sponsors and contributors). Through partnership with our communities, we will build and enhance the vibrant programs for which we are known. Within this broad focus, we will provide each community with the products and services they need and, in turn, solicit their support of our mission.
E. Internal Relations
Our operational activities will be directed toward inspiring all who participate in or conduct our programs. We will continually assess our performance in delivering customer satisfaction, and implement continuous improvement processes in all we do. We will utilize effective technology for information exchange and program delivery. We will ensure that all who conduct our programs will have easy access to all materials and support for delivering the best quality experience to participants.
VIII. Strategic Plan
Programmatic Initiative
Goal I Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will be the globally recognized leader of creative problem solving programs.
Sub Goal I a
Destination Imagination, Inc. will provide support to Destination ImagiNation, the program, for growth, development, and programming.
Action Step 1
Continue to identify and implement methods to support/encourage affiliate growth
Action Step 2
Increase DI, the program, participation by 3% annually.
Action Step 3
Gather and evaluate data concerning the demographics of the program participants
Develop and implement a plan to enhance the participation of a diverse population
Action Step 4
Expand volunteer base by collaborating with corporations, government and other non-profits for national and community service
Recognize volunteers at their workplace
Retain volunteer base
Develop a way to honor volunteers at Global Finals
Sub Goal I b
Destination Imagination, Inc. will achieve a level of recognition in the post-secondary educational and business community
Action Step 1
Pursue Research and Data Collecting of Alumni
Action Step 2
Document through research the affect of the problem solving process and publish.
Action Step 3
Continue to showcase Alumni Involvement in DI and career relationships resulting from DI
Sub Goal I c
Destination ImagiNation, Inc., will continue to grow and evaluate current programs and strategically expand its programmatic offerings.
Action Step 1
Hire full time PR and Marketing person
Use Annual Report as a publication/PR/Marketing tool
Develop and execute a corporate marketing campaign and evaluate its effectiveness
Track and identify trends
Sub Goal I d
Develop “Brand” recognition for DI, the program
Develop and implement a marketing plan for each program offering
Goal II Destination ImagiNation Inc. will provide the creative problem solving process to all communities (educational, corporate and social).
Sub Goal II a
Develop relationships with organizations and create partnerships.
Sub Goal II b
Promote and increase name recognition.
Action Step 1
Produce partnership brochures and other materials
Action Step 2
Promote the “brand”
Goal III Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will increase the number of individuals who will benefit from the creative problem process.
Sub Goal III a
Expand infrastructure/staff to accommodate growth in the future.
Action Step 1
Improve the model of delivery and promotion of all programs
Identify and execute strategies to overcome obstacles inhibiting increased participation
Action Step 2
Create a strategy to enhance the financial and organizational support to the affiliates and others who deliver Destination
ImagiNation programming.
Recruit and secure funds to execute the strategy of enhanced support
Action Step 3
Apply for grants to move programs into urban areas
Action Step 4
Develop a plan with actions and timeline that targets diverse populations
Goal IV Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will be financially stable and operate at the highest degree of fiscal integrity.
Sub Goal IV a
Increase donations to the corporation
Action Step 1
Develop partnerships with organizations that support our mission
Action Step 2
Implement a lobbying strategy
Employ a grant writer
Action Step 3
Promote programs to increase sponsorships
Sub Goal IV b
Secure fiscal stability of corporation
Action Step 1
Provide Quarterly Reports and Business Plan updates
Action Step 2
Provide Cost/Benefit Analysis of each program
Action Step 3
Maintain a balanced or surplus budget
Create a financial reserve fund
Provide timely fiscal reportingAction Step 4
Insure legal compliance
Sub Goal IV c
Continue Fundraising and Endowment Fund
Action Step 1
Establish clear guidelines on donations
Action Step 2
Develop levels of recognition in fund raising
Action Step 3
Implement an annual fund drive
Action Step 4
Increase size of endowment fund
Action Step 5
Provide Board member training – “How to Raise Funds”
Action Step 6
Increase the number of sponsors
Increase the total financial support to the organization
Goal V Destination ImagiNation Inc. will strengthen the corporation through learning and quality management
Sub Goal V a
Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will utilize our creative problem solving process in all aspects of the organization
Action Step 1
Provide DIcore training to the Board and Staff
Action Step 2
Provide DIcore training to volunteer leadership teams
Sub Goal V b
Develop, implement and expand the use of technology
Action Step 1
Develop online learning and growth opportunitiesAction Step 2
Enhance the capabilities of technology systems
Sub Goal V c
Maintain quality volunteers and staff
Action Step 1
Provide training for program leaders
Sub Goals V d
Embrace and enhance Quality Management
Action Step 1
Execute a plan for organizational review and incorporate quality control measurers
Action Step 2
Develop and implement Board assessment and self-assessment process
Action Step 3
Provide continuing education in use of problem solving generating and focusing tools and understanding of policies for Board and staff
Goal VI Destination ImagiNation, Inc. will act according to and promote an environment of the highest degree of respect and integrity.
Action Step 1
Incorporate a model of respect into all programs
Develop a form about mutual respect for volunteers and participants to sign
Reinforce concepts of respect and integrity
Action Step 2
Provide resources for training in areas of diversity, collegial respect and ethics at Board and corporate levels
Action Step 3
Develop and promote a code of ethics
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