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Notes from the SCAR President, number 23 (14 June 2010)

SCAR Strategic Plan 2011-2016 - Request for Comment

Colleagues,

By now you should have received a draft copy of the SCAR Strategic Plan 2011-2016 (if not let me know). The document is inclusive and contains sections explaining the intent of the plan, the process to be followed to arrive at a consensus, and a roadmap for the future. I strongly encourage you to read the document in its entirety as the plan is integrated across all aspects of SCAR's mission and each facet is supportive of others. The Strategic Plan is a major agenda item for our meetings in Buenos Aires in August and I expect that we will spend substantive time at the meetings considering the document. The draft is just that, a DRAFT, any and all aspects are subject to comment, revision, deletion, and/or additions based on your input.

Please note that there will be ample opportunities to comment on the document as we move to final adoption by January 1, 2011 when the plan goes into effect.

Strategic plans can be of various types and the current text is intended to be a high level, philosophical document outlining what SCAR is, what it wants to be and what it values as an organization. Details on how to achieve various aspects of the Strategic Plan will be addressed in follow-on implementation plans routinely produced by the Secretariat in consultation with the ExCom. As such this document has adopted a forward-looking vision of the future outlining the important aspects of what SCAR must do to achieve its vision, mission, and goals. The audience is SCAR's members and participating scientists as much as it is SCAR's external stakeholders.

To encourage wide discussion and input, I will be sending portions of the Strategic Plan every 7 to 10 days from now until our meetings in Buenos Aires. Each Presidential Note will highlight a few aspects of the Strategic Plan and pose questions intended to generate comment and feedback. As mentioned above it is important that the sections of the plan be considered as part of the whole document.

SCAR's Vision, Mission, and Goals

The foundations for any strategic plan are agreement on the vision and mission of the organization. In this next plan a strategic vision has been added that draws on the ICSU strategic vision. It is important as an ICSU body that SCAR's vision and mission parallel and support our parent organization's efforts. The SCAR mission has remained mostly unchanged over the years and has been updated to include those important new facets of SCAR's multi-dimensional goals.

Strategic Vision - SCAR's strategic vision is for a world where the science of Antarctica and associated systems is used for the benefit of all, excellence in science is valued, and scientific knowledge is effectively linked to policy making. SCAR has a key role to play in leading the international Antarctic science community, implementing new scientific initiatives, discerning emerging scientific themes, promoting international cooperation and partnerships, and engaging with policy-makers and other sectors of society to advance this vision. As an Interdisciplinary Scientific Body of ICSU, SCAR embraces and contributes to the strategic vision and mission of ICSU.

Mission Statement - SCAR's mission is two-fold. First and foremost, SCAR's mission is to be the leading, independent, non-governmental facilitator, coordinator, and advocate of excellence in Antarctic science and research. Secondly, SCAR's mission is to provide independent, sound, scientifically-based advice to the Antarctic Treaty System and other policy makers. The advisory mission also includes the use of science to identify emerging trends and bringing these issues to the attention of policy makers.

The Foundations - SCAR values the legacies of those that have gone before, applies lessons learnt from past experiences, and strives to be a sustainable organization that capitalizes on the foundations established over the organization's more than 50-year history.

The Strategic Plan - This Strategic Plan is intended to foster a strong sense of dedication and commitment in SCAR's stakeholders to ensure that the necessary actions are taken to realize the organization's vision, mission and goals. The Strategic Plan provides direction when decisions are made, priorities are set, and resources are allocated.

Discussion Questions

  1. Does the Strategic Vision adequately reflect your vision for SCAR?
  2. Are there other facets of SCAR that should be highlighted in the Vision statement?
  3. Are the facets of the Strategic Vision given appropriate weight and importance?
  4. Does the Mission Statement reflect your view of SCAR's goals?
  5. Are there other aspects of the mission that should be highlighted in the Mission Statement?
  6. Are the facets of the SCAR mission given appropriate weight and importance?
  7. Does the Foundations section accurately portray past events, should others be recognized?
  8. Are the reasons for a developing a strategic plan clear and inclusive?
  9. Should other SCAR accomplishments in the last decade be highlighted?
  10. Do the first sections set the right tone for the rest of the document? Is the order most effective?

I look forward to your input. As always do not hesitate to contact me should you have any questions or concerns.

Chuck K.
President of SCAR

P.S. - I just returned from the Oslo IPY Conference and by all measures it was a great success and SCAR and its science factored prominently throughout the Conference. MCK

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