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CHAZON BETH EL – The Vision for Beth El
A Strategic Plan for Our Congregation
 

With our upcoming 70th anniversary in 2013, the Temple Board has commissioned a strategic planning effort entitled "Chazon Beth El – The Vision for Beth El" to anticipate the Temple's needs and ensure its future.
"Chazon" is the Hebrew word for vision.
Perhaps you are smirking just a little and thinking about the numerous strategic planning processes you've experienced elsewhere. Were you subjected to meetings, focus groups, consultants and questions, only to find that nothing ever changed? Was it still business-as-usual with the same problems, same reactions, and "band aid" fixes followed by promises to do it right the next time?

This time it will be different. We promise.

In 2010, Temple Beth El participated in a broader community planning effort for Shalom Park agencies, shepherded by the Jewish Federation of Greater Charlotte. We have now moved into planning for individual organizations, and the TBE Board has engaged the Lee Institute for assistance. We are also fortunate to be working with Dale Glasser, Senior Congregational Advisor of the Union for Reform Judaism, who has worked with dozens of Reform congregations across the country on visioning and planning efforts.

We are not just going through the motions. This is real and very important. With the opening of the new building and the expansion of our community, we have accomplished a great deal in the recent past, but we cannot take for granted our future. A blueprint will ensure we are doing the right things in terms of membership, leadership, programming, infrastructure, and financial resources. This also won't be the last time you hear from us. We will keep you updated on our progress, and recommendations will be presented at the Annual Meeting on May 21, 2012- months, not years, from now. Really.

We've assembled a talented team to work on the strategic planning effort, but they cannot do it alone. Congregational input and opinions are critical to building our future together. The next step occurred on January 8^th with multiple, simultaneous focus groups facilitated by the Lee Institute, board members, and planning committee members.
Thank you to those who participated in the January 8th focus groups!