The Clayton County Energy District (CCED) is entering year 10 of serving Clayton County communities, providing resources and technical assistance to reduce energy costs and make affordable energy sources more inclusive. After 10 years of dedicated work, CCED must now decide how to move forward, especially with the addition of a full-time Coordinator increasing organizational capacity. On Monday, April 13 the CCED Board gathered to discuss ideas for the future during a strategic planning session facilitated by Empowered Solutions Collective. This preliminary step considered CCED’s history, current work, and core messages which will guide a more formal strategic plan outlining efforts for the next 1-2 years.
All board members attended: Chair Joleen Jansen, Vice Chair Katrina Moyna, Treasurer Kevin Baumler, Secretary Kathy Koether, Jim Osterhaus, and Jessica Engelking. Coordinator Kelsi Davis and Facilitator Tamara Marcus were also present.
More specifically, the Board considered their motivations for joining CCED and the accomplishments for which they feel most proud. The group reflected on the CCED mission and how well it aligns with current priorities. For the main portion of the session Board members completed a SOAR activity. SOAR stands for Strengths, Opportunities, Aspirations, and Results exploring what CCED already does well, but also what we can work to achieve. After outlining the SOAR metrics, facilitator Tamara Marcus identified key themes for the group and Board members voted on their top priorities moving forward. These key themes provide a base for CCED’s work in the coming years, reflecting on community needs, funding gaps, and organizational growth.