Following the buzz around the final workshop in September things may have seemed a little quiet on RNZFB 2020 of late, but the Board and Management have been busy behind the scenes. The Board met on October 23 and again, together with Management, on November 27. Together they have been grappling with some key concepts over which you and other key participants on the sustainability journey will get to have a say.

Having heard some outstanding contributions from members, staff and others through the three RNZFB 2020 workshops held in March, June and September they feel prepared to draw a line in the sand regarding our general direction. This general direction will be consulted on in two stages. Firstly, a consultation paper will be going out early next year. In this, the Board will set out in principle their views on:

1. Guiding organisational principles - how it is we should behave as an organisation. Once finalised, these principles will shape all RNZFB decisions and actions.
2. Strategic priorities – the key activity areas the RNZFB will focus its efforts on over the next six years. Once finalised, these priorities will direct resource use.
3. Strategic goals – the outcomes we will seek under each of these priority activity areas. Once finalised, these goals will drive all activity.

We want to hear your views on this initial thinking so we can improve on it and fine tune it. That is the purpose of consultation. The consultation document will be sent to all governing members in the format of their choice. It will be sent out to staff via email. It will be made available to others who request it and be posted on the website and on TIS. We will also engage formally with our Consumer Organisations to discuss it. The feedback will then be considered and fed into a draft Strategic Plan. You will also be consulted on the draft Strategic Plan 2009 – 2015 before it is finalised. The Strategic Plan will ‘go live’ on 1 July 2009.

Supporting this process is the business plan and budget cycle. This is where management demonstrates how they will turn the concepts expressed through the strategic plan into reality. The planning cycle gets underway early in 2009. The business plan and budget will come into effect somewhat later than usual (after the Strategic Plan is finalised) on 1 October 2009. Again, you will have an opportunity to participate in this process. Until then you are welcome to submit comments at any time through the email address 2020@rnzfb.org.nz, through the website or on the Telephone Information Service (TIS). 

Thanks again to everyone who has been a part of project 2020 to date. We look forward to your ongoing feedback.