U.S. GRAND LODGE STRATEGIC PLAN

Anno IVxv

The U.S. Grand Lodge Strategic Plan was developed over a nine-month period between July 2006 and March 2007 e.v. by the Strategic Planning Committee, which includes representatives from each of the Grand Lodge Governing Bodies. The final draft was reviewed by the Governing Bodies and other USGL officers, and adopted by the Executive Council on April 15, 2007 e.v.

The plan consists of five main initiatives, derived from the USGL Vision Statement. The strategic plan guides us toward achieving our vision, in support of our mission, and in conformity with our values.

Each initiative has objectives, which are supported by one or more goals. Objectives may be ongoing, but goals represent particular milestones in the accomplishment of the objective. Each goal (what) has a strategy (how), responsibility (who), and estimated timeframe (when). The timeframe may extend beyond this year; the plan will be reviewed each year to measure progress and updated as necessary.

USGL Strategic Initiatives

1. Promulgate Thelema and Great Principles of the Order

VISION: We envision OTO USA as a model religious and fraternal order of occult initiates, and a leading proponent of Thelemic thought and culture within the United States.

Objective: Fully implement Liber 194 to the extent possible and practicable

• Goal: Establish at least one Profess House within the next decade (Liber 194: preamble)

• Goal: Fill both IXth Degree Revolutionary positions (Liber 194: 25-26)

• Goal: Retain four members of the Man of Earth to represent the feelings of the general body (Liber 194: 5)

• Goal: Implement meditative retreats for Electoral College members (Liber 194: 14)

• Goal: Implement Vow of Poverty option for Electoral College, Supreme Grand Council, and Grand Treasurer General (Liber 194: 30-31, 33-34)

Objective: Increase exposure of OTO and Thelema in alternative and mainstream press

• Goal: Publish NOTOCON proceedings

• Goal: Publish a "best-of" anthology drawn from local body publications

• Goal: Encourage and coordinate publication of articles, interviews, reviews, etc.

Objective: Support Thelemic speakers, authors, artists, musicians, filmmakers, etc.

• Goal: Enlist talent within the Order to help promote O.T.O. and Thelemic culture

2. Develop and Strengthen Local Operations

VISION: We will maintain a physical presence near every major population center in the country, from which we will offer services in support of our mission to our members and to the public.

Objective: Establish new local bodies in needed areas

• Goal: Begin development of study groups and camps-in-formation in areas with initiates but no local bodies

• Goal: Begin development of membership in areas with no local OTO initiates

Objective: Support growth of existing local bodies

• Goal: Encourage local bodies to develop their own strategic plans

• Goal: Increase expertise and proficiency of local officers

• Goal: Improve Mentor Program

• Goal: Promote local body membership

• Goal: Encourage support of Man of Earth bodies by Lover and Hermit Triad membership

Objective: Support acquisition and maintenance of dedicated space for Lodges

• Goal: Assist local bodies to build and maintain funding levels required to support dedicated space

• Goal: Establish at least one Order-owned local body facility within the next decade

Objective: Support development of Rose Croix Chapters

• Goal: Evaluate current state of Chapter development

• Goal: Increase membership and participation in Chapters by current R+C members

• Goal: Model and communicate successful Chapter strategies

Objective: Support development of Mystic Temples

• Goal: Expand geographic distribution of Mystic Temple facilities

3. Improve Effectiveness of Grand Lodge Programs

VISION: We will uphold the highest standards of excellence and effectiveness in the practice and dissemination of our religious, spiritual, magical, and ethical teachings.

Objective: Improve initiation standards

• Goal: Improve proficiency of initiation officers

Objective: Improve ecclesiastical standards

• Goal: Implement training program for all clergy

• Goal: Encourage Bishops to teach in their local areas and in areas where they have supervised clergy

Objective: Improve educational standards

• Goal: Provide educational resources for local body use

Objective: Increase use and usefulness of Grand Lodge library

• Goal: Develop online library catalog

• Goal: Implement library lending program

• Goal: Develop agenda for accessions

• Goal: Provide electronic access to key public-domain texts

Objective: Improve communications between Grand Lodge and the membership

• Goal: Facilitate communication between the Electoral College and local body leadership

• Goal: Increase member knowledge of Grand Lodge activities

• Goal: Ensure local body access to SGIGs

• Goal: Increase understanding of the role of second triad members in comprising "Grand Lodge"

Objective: Improve communications within Grand Lodge government

• Goal: Establish comprehensive internet security policy

• Goal: Improve Annual Report Form preparation and submission process

• Goal: Streamline initiation reporting

• Goal: Develop secure Grand Lodge file sharing system

Objective: Improve Grand Lodge financial stability and growth

• Goal: Establish multi-year projected budgets

• Goal: Establish investment policy

• Goal: Encourage bequests from members

• Goal: Implement independent audit of USGL books

Objective: Strategic planning

• Goal: Review and revise strategic plan annually

4. Build a Stronger Fraternal Community

VISION: We will espouse and defend the principle of individual liberty while cultivating strong fraternal bonds within our ranks.

Objective: Increase effectiveness of conflict resolution

• Goal: Increase involvement of Chapters in mediating disputes

Goal: Provide formal mediation training for local body masters and Chapter members

• Strategy: Form a committee to research options and make recommendations

Goal: Evaluate conflict resolution efforts through centralized statistical tracking

• Strategy: Develop a form to implement anonymous reporting of conflict resolution problems and outcomes to the Supreme Grand Council

Objective: Encourage and strengthen fraternal bonds

• Goal: Clearly communicate and model expectations of fraternal behavior

• Goal: Clarify actions which constitute "abuse of membership privileges" and "actions greatly prejudicial to the Order"

• Goal: Increase member participation in NOTOCON and other conferences

• Goal: Encourage and facilitate mutual aid among members

5. Develop Constructive Relationships

VISION: We will foster harmonious and constructive relationships with the academic, business, civil, and greater social communities within which we operate.

Objective: Establish dialogue with academic community

• Goal: Represent O.T.O. positively and provide accurate information to academic researchers

Objective: Establish relationship with broader charitable community

• Goal: Take advantage of benefits available to 501(c)(3) organizations