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Section II · Key Document

Area Development Day

A prescriptive process for strategic planning in the Young Life Area — including a preparation timeline and a full sample agenda for the day.

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Overview

Area Development Day (ADD) is a prescriptive process for strategic planning in the Young Life Area. It typically runs about 6 hours and brings together staff, key volunteers, and committee members to produce a clear, actionable strategic plan for the next 6–18 months.

Preparation Timeline

8wk

Guest List (8 Weeks Out)

Compile and send invitations to all stakeholders: all staff, key volunteers (e.g. volunteer team leaders), and committee members. May also include key donors, church partners, ex-staff, or ex-volunteers. The invite should come from the Committee Chair or Area Director and be preceded or followed up with a phone call.

2wk

Included in the Invitation (2 Weeks Out)

  • RSVP for the event (Google Form) — request completion 2 weeks prior
  • Link to CliftonStrengths Assessment — complete at least one week out
  • SWOT Analysis (Google Form)
1wk

One Week Out

CliftonStrengths results submitted to AD or Area Admin, inserted into a spreadsheet, and printed for distribution at the event. Facilitator reviews SWOT results with AD and Committee Chair, taking a first pass at prioritizing goals. SWOT organized by the Five Core Functions.

SWOT Analysis

Participants complete a Google Form providing feedback on Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats in advance. It is helpful to have this done before the event but it can be updated, changed, or refined on the day of. Once completed, the facilitator organizes the SWOT by Young Life’s Five Core Functions:

CliftonStrengths at the ADD

The purpose of reviewing the team’s strengths is to evaluate where relative strengths lie within the group. It is not uncommon to see “clumps” of strengths within the four different strength domains. It might also illuminate where someone is serving in an area that doesn’t suit them — and where they could serve in a different capacity more aligned to their gifting. It could also uncover opportunities to recruit new volunteers that fill a gap.

Prior to the event, the Area Director, Committee Chair, and facilitator will meet to discuss observations and reflections related to the group. On the day of the event, after reviewing the SWOT analysis, attendees will be broken into working groups based on their strengths.

Sample Day-of Agenda

1:00 PM

Arrive

Host provides snacks and drinks.

1:30

Welcome & Set Up the Time

AD or Facilitator shares a short area perspective.

1:45

Survey the Wall / Time to Lament

AD, CC, or Other Staff lead. Words to describe teenagers in the area — an important time to understand the state of the adolescent world and culture locally. Pray!

2:00

Review SWOT

Facilitator leads. Walk around and review the SWOT results:

  • Additions
  • Deletions
  • Clarifications
2:30

Break

2:45

Pray — Ask the Lord to Lead

AD or CC leads.

3:00

Voting

Facilitator leads participants in voting on priorities.

3:30

Review Strengths Grid

AD, CC, or Facilitator. Determine and assign working groups based on strengths.

4:00

Break into Working Groups Around Objectives ★

This is the bulk of the time — the most important section. Each group works to:

  • Determine Priority / Goal / Benchmarks
  • Create an Action Plan
  • Identify who else in the community can help
  • Set next meeting date
5:00

Reconvene & Share Objectives / Action Plans

All working groups share back with the full group.

5:30

Adjourn

Depending on the day, you may also want to meet over lunch or dinner — adjust the schedule accordingly to allow more time for serving, visiting, or reflecting on the events of the day.