The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged community sport organizations in new and unexpected ways. Organizations have had to alter the way they operate and, sometimes, completely overhaul it. Strategic planning is essential in overcoming adversity as a business and can be key to withstanding waves of success and failure during the pandemic.

 At the end of January, the Ottawa Sport Council announced “Rebound” — a free, six-part program designed to complement and enhance the resources found in the Ottawa Return to Play Roadmap. The program, using the Ontario Trillium Foundation Resilient Communities Fund Grant, will begin in February with the topic Strategic Planning and run throughout 2021. All of the Rebound workshops will be led by Ottawa community leaders.

 The OSC will host three strategic planning sessions, facilitated by sales professional and business leader Julien Leblanc, to help community sport organizations revitalize their strategies in response to the pandemic. The free, full-day sessions will be offered on February 20, 26 and March 5 to give as many members as possible the opportunity to participate.

Strategic planning is a valuable skill for organizations. Having a detailed strategic plan creates direction and fosters both efficiency and a logical, systematic approach to solving problems. With a concrete direction and a system for problem solving, an organization can be proactive when it comes to challenges rather than reactive.

Communication is always an important part of the operations of an organization. Having a strategic plan allows for enhanced communication between the organization, staff and members. Strategic planning makes organizational goals and objectives real and empowers everyone involved to work toward a common goal.

During the last year, sport organizations have faced difficult, unexpected challenges. The strategic planning sessions are designed to give sport organizations the tools and the confidence to realign, repurpose and communicate their strategic plans as they look to stabilize their organization over the next 12 to 18 months.

Julien Leblanc, President and Founder of Blueprint North America, has more than 20 years of experience commercializing goods and services in the Food & Beverage, HVAC, Sports Equipment and Medical Device sectors. He was named to Ottawa’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2014 and is a ‘serial entrepreneur’ who has played a role in founding or fostering more than 10 companies to commercial viability. Julien has spoken at previous OSC Sport Summits and has received excellent feedback from participants. He will provide insight and guidance on strategic planning in these difficult and unusual circumstances created by the COVID-19 pandemic. A follow-up interactive discussion on strategic planning will take place in March. Rebound will then continue in April with its second topic: Volunteer Recruitment.

The OSC, through its Rebound program and the Return to Play Roadmap, remains committed to helping sport organizations return to the court, field, pool, gym, arena and all other fields of play when it is safe and responsible to do so.

For more information on registering for the Strategic Planning sessions, please contact us.