Empowering Wellness through Capacitar Ireland's Strategic Plan 2020-2023

Capacitar Ireland Strategic Plan 2020 2023 Final Document 26thMarch 2020

Board Statement Developing a common understanding of what we are trying to achieve What do you consider to be the role of the Capacitar Ireland Board? What is the Board trying to achieve? Capacitar means to empower and encourage Capacitar Ireland is an organisation which aims to promote wellbeing among individuals, groups and communities. We do this through Capacitar Body, mind and spirit practices which improve overall quality of life.

SWOT Strengths Weaknesses Experienced and committed Board The Number of trained and experienced practitioners Good spread of practice across sectors Strong administrative capability Increasing awareness of Capacitar methods Strong network in certain geographic areas and certain key sectors Difficulty with forming and maintaining networks of practitioners Resource constraints e.g. staffing to pursue funding, time constraints on Board members Voluntary nature of the organisation Opportunities Good opportunity for partnerships with target sectors Social media offers opportunities for better and more widespread communication There is a general popularity of the wellness movement, and there is demand for wellness programmes. Capacitar Ireland has a body of trained practitioners that could respond to this demand Threats Onerous governance responsibilities as a result of our charitable status Financial constraints Over-reliance on a single person to carry out foundation and advanced training Heavy workload on Board and administrative staff

Strategy - Networking and Communication We will continue to pursue a strategy of developing a strong Network of trained Capacitar practitioners. This network will be both Geographic and sectoral We will develop our existing geographic networks in the North East, Waterford , and re-establish the Cork and Dublin networks As well as developing sectoral networks e.g. working with refugees, schools, community groups, we will develop relationships with Key Hub Developers and sectoral leaders. We will develop an improved communications network through the use of social network applications; Instagram, Facebook, Linkedin, Youtube and other web based services. Actions: Rose Tracy and Fiona to look at developing the social network and communications services Fiona/ Marian to organise a Tutors meeting with a view to developing key geographic and sectoral links

Action Plan - Networking and Communication Action Lead Person Rose Supported by Fiona/Tracey Key Comment Enablers Develop social network and communications Services and applications Organise Tutor meetings to develop geographic and sectoral links Marian Fiona

Strategy Training and Good Practice We will continue to pursue a strategy of training a wide range of practitioners The existing training process will be maintained (Pat Cane doing the foundation and advanced training and Capacitar Ireland doing the tutor training), with the option of enabling the Board to begin foundation training with Pats support. We will develop a second tier panel of trained tutors that will be accountable to the Board with a view to responding to requests for Capacitar services. This panel will act as a second tier to the Capacitar Ireland Board. In order to ensure appropriate accountability and quality control among Tutors we will develop appropriate terms of reference and maintain a coaching /mentoring culture. This will be underpinned with a quality assessment process. (evaluation tool) The Board will always endeavour to model best practice and professionalism in its organisation and running of programmes, events and meetings. We will ensure that the readings in the training manuals are up to date and relevant Actions: Board to discuss further the development of the second tier panel Board to ensure Terms of Reference and quality assessment is introduced Board to look at developing a coaching / mentoring culture Marian to contact Pat Cane regarding the readings list and ensure that this list is kept updated

Action Plan Training and Good Practice Action Lead Person Supported by Key Comment Enablers Develop Second Tier Panel of trained tutors Introduce Terms of Reference and Quality Assessment Develop a Coaching/Ment oring Culture Ensure that Reading lists are continually updated Ann Paula Paula Ann Paula Ann Paula Ann

Strategy Promotion of Capacitar In parallel with the strategy of developing a strong network and a second tier, we will encourage and promote a sense of belonging and family among practitioners. Promoting this family atmosphere and culture will enable the organisation to maintain contact with people in key sectors of interest and tap into peoples expertise in these sectors Each Board member will adopt a small group of 3/4 people during training and act as a contact and liaison point for this small group to address any questions or issues relating to Capacitar. We will hold an initial tutors meeting with a view to sharing insights among tutors and to developing regular meetings. We will look at the developing a course for tutors around personal wellbeing and personal care. (for further discussion) We will continue to develop IT and web based resources to promote Capacitar e.g. Online newsletter, testimonials, news and information regarding Capacitar developments. Actions: Board to look at how best to promote the Capacitar family Board to organise Tutors meeting Board to look at developing personal care programme for tutors (if required) Board to look at developing web based resources

Action Plan Promotion of Capacitar Action Lead Person Marian Supported by Key Comment Enablers Develop a set of options to promote the idea of a Capacitar family Organise and run regular Tutor meetings Develop and deliver Personal Care programme for practitioners Continue the development of a web based service Rose Marian Rose For further Board discussion Rose Fiona

Strategy Organisation & Structure We will review the current governance and compliance structure to see if it is the best way for the organisation to work efficiently. The Capacitar Ireland organisation was set up in different times as an effective way to source funding. We will look at alternatives to our current charitable status, which is demanding in terms of compliance and may not now be the most effective way for Capacitar to function. Funding and balancing the books remains a priority for the organisation. Our principal source of income is currently course fees, and we will review our fees schedule to ensure that we at least cover current costs, and perhaps run a surplus to cover extra administrative time. We will review the work load and contract of the administrative team to ensure that it is working at its most efficient. With new priorities as outlined in this strategy document around improved networking etc., we will actively look to increase our administrative resources. Actions: Board to look at alternative structures to the current Charitable status Board to review current administrative activities and seek ways to increase resources Board to look at Fee schedules for courses with a view to increasing revenue; differentiated pricing, charge for mentoring days etc. Board to look at alternative payment methods, Paypal and other online payment structure etc.

Action Plan Organisation and Structure Action Lead Person Paula Supported by Fiona Key Comment Enablers Investigate alternative organisation structures and make recommendations to the Board Review current administrative activities and seek ways to increase resources Review fee schedules for courses with a view to increasing revenue Look at alternative payment methods, Paypal etc. and other online payment structure Marian/Paula Fiona Ann Fiona Rose Fiona

2020 2023 Key Strategic Focus Networking and Communication Develop a strong network of trained Capacitar practitioners Training and Good Practice Develop a second tier of trained Tutors Promotion of Capacitar Promote and encourage a sense of family among Capacitar practitioners Organisation & Structure Adopt the most effective legal and practical structure for Capacitar Ireland