The SVP is a strong and vibrant society, in part because of its ongoing plans and initiatives. The strategic-planning session in June 2006, initiated during Annalisa Berta's presidency, resulted in a number of creative ideas for advancing the prominence of vertebrate paleontologists and the SVP. In order to make progress toward achieving these goals, we will need to prioritize them and focus our energies strategically. Some of the new initiatives are close to the mission of specific SVP committees already, whereas other initiatives represent new directions.
We welcome your comments about which of the identified goals you consider most important and how to achieve those particular goals. In addition, we welcome your involvement. Much of the work to accomplish these goals will occur in SVP's standing committees. If you would like to become involved with one of the committees and are not yet a member, please contact the respective chair of that committee and inform him or her of your interests.
Introduction from Past President Annalisa Berta
The Executive Committee and past presidents Lou Jacobs and Bill Clemens participated in a Strategic Planning Session at the SVP Mid Year Executive Board Meeting with the goal of developing a five-year strategic plan for SVP. Since our last Strategic Plan was developed in 2001, we felt that this was an excellent time to evaluate our current condition, anticipate the future, and identify actions to achieve that future.
Based on input from various SVP committees we defined three major themes involving the impact of SVP on: 1) Society, 2) Science and 3) Membership.
We formed focus groups for each of these three themes, from which summary reports were prepared. By clicking on a theme above, you can view its summary report. Highlights of these themes were discussed in Ottawa at the Annual Business Meeting and we received many valuable comments. These reports will be discussed among our various committees.
We invite your additional comments and suggestions, at svp@vertpaleo.org, as we continue to further refine our strategic objectives and develop annual goals. We look forward to your ideas and participation as we define the future of SVP.