Strategic planning is a preferred approach to guiding an organization’s future rather than making decisions issue by issue. The Bartlett Fire Protection District (“the District”) engaged the Center for Governmental Studies (CGS) at Northern Illinois University (NIU) to facilitate two half-day strategic planning workshops with Board and senior staff members in September of 2020. Prior to the workshops, five (5) focus groups were held with organizational stakeholders to gather input on their vision regarding the District’s future. With the focus groups as a starting point for discussions, the strategic planning workshops provided a positive atmosphere for the Board and senior staff members to collaboratively review and develop the District’s vision for the future and strategic goals, ultimately determining where the District wants to go as an organization. As discussed and reviewed during the workshops, executive-level strategic planning sessions are a staple of good governance and leadership for progressive organizations. Click on the photo to see the full report!