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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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Never Miss a Chance to Do the Most Good

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STAGE I: INITIATING AGREEMENT     STAGE II: INVESTIGATE    STAGE III: STRATEGIC FORMATION     STAGE IV: STRUCTURE AND APPLICATION

STAGE I: INITIATING AGREEMENT 

Every great endeavor has to start with someone, something, and at some place. In starting Echelon, the practical first step is securing buy-in from the key local Salvation Army decision makers. Yet, far more importantly, there must be a steering committee comprised of highly motivated individuals. Therefore, the first step in the Echelon Strategy is ensuring that the proper conditions are in place and that there is strong agreement to pursue the creation of Echelon. 

Preparing to Start

The Initiating Agreement step will take the form of focused and candid meetings between The Salvation Army Command Head, key leaders from the local Advisory Board, and whoever is the sponsor championing the idea of Echelon. In many cases, that sponsor may be the Command Head or a member of the Advisory Board. The purpose of the initial meeting between these key stakeholders is to answer the questions: “Should Echelon exist in our city?” and “Are we reasonably positioned to enact a plan to establish it?” The first question is meant to constructively challenge the basic assumptions of the local Salvation Army’s mission effectiveness and the second tests the readiness of the command. Obtaining early internal buy-in from key stakeholders is essential in not only starting a new chapter, but ensuring it will be sustainable and successful. If both questions are answered positively, the command is positioned to begin the crucial work of chartering the guiding tools. 

BUILD A STEERING COMMITTEE 

It is common practice to start strategy with positioning the right people to enact the plan. In the Echelon Strategy, this practice takes the form of creating a steering committee. 

The exact title of this team is negotiable, but its functions are set nationally. The primary purpose of the committee is to guide the process of starting Echelon and carrying out the work. The functions and objectives of this committee are universal: 

Steering Committee Criteria

The Committee has the capability to network with individuals and groups within the young adult demographic

At least one member demostrates credibility and social influence in the local young adult demographic

At least one member can act as a liaison between the future Echelon Chapter and The Salvation Army

The membership of the steering committee will depend on the local context of the Army and the community. Ideally, the local Command Head or another local Salvation Army officer, any future staff liaisons, and key advisory board champions should be included in this group. It is also recommended that key individuals considered potential future Echelon leaders be included in the steering committee if possible. 

GUIDING VISION 

Mission and vision statements typically function to govern the decisions of management and express the organization’s aspirations. A guiding vision can liberate and energize individuals and groups to achieve excellence. Sound visions have an organic simplicity. In this beginning stage, it is crucial that someone, however informal the writing may be, craft a simple Guiding Vision for creating Echelon. 

Crafting a Guiding Vision will not magically happen in one meeting. The important factor is that the vision is living in the present and gets embedded within the minds of key decision- makers and, ultimately, potential Echelon recruits. 

Echelon (National)
Echelon is a community of diverse young adults collectively rising up to serve The Salvation Army through fellowship and networking, donations and fundraising, and service and volunteering
Echelon Milwaukee (MKE)
Echelon Milwaukee's goal is to end homelessness in Milwaukee County.
Echelon Leadership Council
The Echelon Leadership Council is to provide a network of support and guidance for Echelon chapters across the United States.
Smithsonian
Shaping the future by preserving our heritage, discovering new knowledge, and sharing our resources with the world
Alzheimer's Association
A world without Alzheimer's disease.
Linkedin
Create economic opportunity for every member of the global workforce.

 

CRAFTING A GUIDING VISION

Please complete the Crafting a Guiding Vision form for your Echelon Chapter. 

Begin Form

GUIDING PROCESS 

The last item of stage one is about coming to a consensus on the planning procedures moving forward. The formalized role of the steering committee, how young adults will be recruited, the use of Army resources, and the nature of progress reports will all need to be agreed upon. The strategy timeline at the beginning of this guide maps out the strategic planning process in broad strokes. As mentioned earlier, the plan and the map are guidelines that require the local ingenuity of enthusiastic leaders. 

 Before Proceeding to Stage II, Please ensure you've completed the following:

  • Complete "Crafting a Guiding Vision Worksheet"
  • The Territorial Representative for Echelon will reach out via email when this has been reviewed and green lit to move to the next stage. 

Need help? Email Echelon Support Staff

 

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Section II