Strategic Planning: Preserving the Heritage While Embracing the Future

Ronda Dyer, MSN, BSPA, RN, CPAN, CAPA, FASPAN
ASPAN President

The ASPAN Board of Directors recently met in Philadelphia to begin drafting our new strategic plan. Ideas were abundant, discussions were insightful, and our collective vision for the future continued to take shape. As the meetings progressed, I couldn’t help but think about my childhood home—and the lessons it taught me about honoring the past while preparing for the future.

I grew up on the Kansas farm my great-great-grandfather homesteaded in the late 1800s. I walked the same land he had tilled, appreciated the beautiful prairie pastures where cows nursed their calves, and lived in the very house where my grandfather had been born. I loved crawling into the attic to explore treasures from generations past. I read my dad’s old comic books and rescued an old writing desk to use in my room.

What I didn’t love was making the trek down the hill, through the snow, in January to use the outhouse!

While my grandmother appreciated the beautiful old hardwood floors, she was less enthusiastic about drawing water from the well to do laundry on the front porch with the old wringer washer. Nor did she enjoy heating water on the stove to fill a washtub so she could scrub two grubby kids who had spent the day playing in the creek.

We all loved the solid foundation, history, and special character of that house. But as our family grew, it needed to adapt to meet our changing needs. So, my dad, grandparents, and other family members set to work. They installed central heat and air and added a beautiful fireplace to replace the old propane stove. They remodeled the kitchen, added a bathroom and laundry room, and—perhaps most importantly—brought indoor plumbing to the house!

The joy of turning on the faucet and watching hot water stream into the sink and tub was surpassed only by the opportunity to eliminate those cold, dark trips to the outhouse.

The house was still the same home. Its history, character, and strong foundation remained. But thoughtful changes made it more functional, comfortable, and prepared for the future.

Organizations are not unlike houses. They need strong foundations and well-designed plans to function effectively. They require ongoing maintenance, evaluation, and upgrades. Sometimes, all that is needed is a fresh coat of paint. At other times, a major remodel is necessary.

Strategic planning provides the opportunity to step back and look at the entire structure—to recognize and preserve the foundational strengths that have served us well while identifying the changes needed to prepare for the future.

Over the last several years, we have been examining ASPAN’s “floor plan” as we transition from 40 Components into 10 strong Regions. Last year, we recognized significant structural changes were needed to ensure our organization could continue to function effectively and fulfill our mission. We are updating our technology, with a new website in development and a new management system for the business side of the organization designed to increase our capabilities and efficiency. Our rebranding initiative is ensuring that others see the beauty, purpose, mission and history we appreciate when they see our “house.”

This year, through our strategic planning process, we are looking even further ahead. We are exploring how ASPAN can better meet the educational and professional needs of our five generations of working perianesthesia nurses, while identifying other important opportunities to strengthen our organization and advance our mission.

Just as my childhood home evolved without losing the character and history that made it special, ASPAN can embrace meaningful change while preserving the heritage, values, and accomplishments that have shaped our organization.

I look forward to sharing more about the exciting advances and enhancements ahead as our plans are finalized in the coming weeks. Together, we can honor where we have been, thoughtfully build on the strong foundation we have created, and prepare ASPAN for an even stronger future.