Story Dogs Strategic Plan 2023-2024
Our Goals
Goal 1: Our People
Our people choose to be part of fulfilling the Story Dogs mission as they feel valued, equipped, appropriately compensated and recognised.
Goal 2: Financial Sustainability
We are financial sustainable and committed to growth and transparency.
Goal 3: Communication
We communicate effectively with our team and stakeholders, ensuring we are recognised as the leading national program provider of animal assisted literacy throughout Australia
Goal 4: Governance
Our leadership is ethical, accountable, and strategic and ensures statutory obligations are met.
Goal 5: Data-informed Approach
We are committed a data-informed approach where the empirical data, research, and feedback we obtain drives the continuous improvement and ongoing development of the Story Dogs program.
Goal 1: Our People
Action
Attract, retain, and support great people who are fully aligned with the Story Dogs mission
Performance Indicators
- Reach 750 Volunteer Dog Teams supported by 80 Coordinators reaching 3000 children each week
- Identify new volunteering roles that reduce the work of coordinators
- Provide a high level of support, training, development and resources
- Provide appropriate levels of paid roles at market rate compensation
Action
Ensure a flexible, rewarding, respectful culture where our people love what they do and making it happen.
Performance Indicators
- Develop, implement, and review regular satisfaction surveys of our people
- Management to regularly provide positive feedback, acknowledgement of tenure of service, and recognition to volunteers and staff.
- Flexibility of hours and location to be written into staff and coordinator contracts and role descriptions
Goal 2: Financial Sustainability
Action
Undertake fundraising and philanthropic activities to achieve financial sustainability
Performance Indicators
- Develop and execute an annual fundraising plan
- Develop and implement a donor program
- Ensure every participating school contributes financially every year
- Have two or more corporate partnerships and sponsorships with national brands valued at >$20K each per year
- Reach 100% dog sponsorship
Action
Migrate Story Dogs to full accrual accounting methods
Performance Indicator
- Accrual account migration complete by 31 December 2023.
Action
Ensure monies are spent in line with the Story Dogs Mission
Performance Indicators
- Consideration will be given by Directors at every Board meeting to ensure monies are spent in line with the Story Dogs mission
- Spending is audited annually against mission and constitution objectives
Goal 3: Communication
Action
Promote Story Dogs as the leading national provider of animal assisted literacy programs throughout Australia.
Performance Indicators
- Develop and deliver a media and communication strategy, including newsletters and a media pack
- Develop and deliver a social media strategy
- Ensure website content is up to date
- Develop a National Ambassador program
- Publish an annual report every year
Action
Create a culture of sharing information with staff, coordinators, and volunteers, including celebrating wins and good stories.
Performance Indicators
- Develop an internal communication strategy
- Host a Story Dogs conference for coordinators once every two years
- Develop a private online Coordinators Q & A forum
Action
Foster partnerships with our key stakeholders, through regular, effective communication
Performance Indicators
- Dog Sponsors ꟷ Develop, implement, and manage individual updates, visits, and other recognitions
- Schools ꟷ Develop and implement a program for regular, targeted relationship building communications
- Major Donors/Ambassadors ꟷ Ensure regular updates and adequate recognitions are delivered
Goal 4: Governance
Action
Ensure we have an effective Board capable of providing strategic direction to Story Dogs
Performance Indicators
- Review the Board makeup and effectiveness including an ongoing annual appraisal
- Recruit and rotate Directors to ensure a diverse and multi skilled Board to a maximum of 7 Directors including national representation and strong corporate networks.
Action
Continue to ensure all statutory obligations are met
Performance Indicators
- Annual review of OHS, ACNC, ASIC, employment, taxation, child protection, insurance and fundraising compliance measures
- Board to provide support and resources to the leadership team to ensure all statutory obligations are met
Action
Review, and evaluate the relevance of changes to the Animal Assistance/Service sector in Australia and internationally
Performance Indicator
- Annual review of Australian and internal animal assistance/service sector policies and trends conducted by Story Dogs management.
Action
Ensure the welfare of all Story Dogs is prioritised
Performance Indicators
- Only accredited force-free, positive reinforcement trainers to be as Story Dogs Assessors
- Volunteer induction includes resources about dog welfare information
- Thorough annual vet checks are required for every Story Dog.
- Story Dogs will follow RSPCA’s ‘Five Freedom’ Policy of Animal Welfare
Goal 5: Data-informed Approach
Action
Obtain research and empirical data to support the efficacy of the Story Dogs program.
Performance Indicators
- Develop tools and strategies to collect relevant data
- Obtain empirical data to validate literacy benefits
- Seek research opportunities to validate the efficacy of the program
Action
Ensure continuous improvement and ongoing development of the program.
Performance Indicators
- Review, implement, and drive continuous improvement based on what we measure and learn
- Develop, implement, and review regular satisfaction surveys of our people
- Develop, implement, and review regular stakeholder surveys