2025 Strategic Plan
Goals and Objectives
SWOT Analysis
Needs Assessment
Risk Assessment
Provide low cost/free arts education for underserved individuals in and around the Greater Rochester area. We do this through
A. )Offering a variety of local programs for both youth and adult individuals.
B.) Hosting at least one major fundraising event during each of the four fiscal quarters. Additional goals of these events are to increase exposure for the organization, build our email list.
C.) Gaining strategic Sponsorship/partnerships with key businesses locally, state wide, and nationally.
Provide an inclusive environment for all individuals to engage in arts programming regardless of means or ability
A.) Programs will be offered at a decreased rate on average, compared to other similar organizations. For every successful “paid for” program there will be a free sister program in a community in need.
B.) Employ a diverse staff with knowledge, background and on-going training for working with diverse populations.
C.) Encourage “good sportsmanship” among participants by demonstrating how to support themselves and others through positive language, regular tokens of appreciation, and radical inclusion/support of others.
Provide community engagement opportunities for participants, staff, and their families.
A.) Organize an Annual Benefit Show for a rotating cause, where members of Rochester’s art community can come together and perform themed routines to support a common cause
B.) Including community service initiatives into core curriculum by complete service projects as part of our Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts
C.) Organize a minimum of 3 community outreach initiatives around Rochester, including organizing local donation drives, community clean ups, and volunteering with older adults and individuals with disabilities.
Provide Professional Development opportunities for participants and instructors
A.) Organize out-of-state trips to other (larger) cities in search of conferences, workshops, and festivals that are typically not available in the Rochester area.
B.) Provide opportunities for local students to gain experience by Volunteering at events and regularly scheduled programs. These volunteers can include students from other studios who are also passionate about the missions of the program.
C.) Provide opportunities for local students and teachers to come together in a non-competitive environment to network and share ideas through community performances, community engagement opportunities, and other special events.
Strengths
Unique, mission driven program with a variety of opportunities for involvement.
Large population in surrounding Rochester Area
Leadership experience
Receptiveness to feedback and a desire for continual improvement
Weaknesses
Similar programs exists/plenty of competition
Limited funds
No permanent space
Small staff
Opportunities
Provide volunteer opportunities for individuals in the area
Social Media - opportunity to build relationships and good “word of mouth”
Ability to seek out local donations and business sponsorships
Opportunities for individuals to gain a better understanding of the importance of community involvement.
Threats
Direct competition
Volunteer based
Lack of regular outside funding sources
Overview
Stage Presence Dance Collective assesses the needs of its participants using the Holistic Human Needs Model. The Holistic view of human needs comprises five distinct areas of human development starting with physical needs and hitting everything from emotional and intellectual needs to social and spiritual needs. In this model, needs are not identified in any form of hierarchy, as with other models of human needs assessment. Instead, in the Holistic approach, all needs are considered to be vitally important to the development of each individual. Our program will meet the needs of participants using this method in the following ways:
Physical Needs
Our organization stimulates the physical needs of participants by encouraging them to to increase their activity level through facilitated dance programs and events.
Emotional Needs
We aim to meet the emotional needs of participants by providing a place to address and express any emotional hardships they may be experiencing through artistic expression and creation.
Intellectual Needs
We encourage participants to engage in universal learning experiences that extend beyond just dance/other art forms in order to learn about the world around them while also providing professional development opportunities to encourage continued growth within the craft.
Social Needs
There are more than just one social benefit that our organization aims to provide for its participants. One of those social benefits is the ability to interact with fellow performers/artists in the area in a way that is not competitive in nature, but rather supportive. This serves as a way for local students and teachers to share ideas and feedback in a collaborative environment. Another key social benefit of this organization is achieved through community service. This allows participants to come together as a group for the greater good of the community.
Spiritual Needs
In addition to the social benefits of community service, this program also has a spiritual component. Participants are able to find solace in helping others and benefiting their community.
Some risk may be inherent to the nature of the activity. The organization takes dutiful responsibility into ensuring that all participants are kept out of the way of any unnecessary harm. The organization transfers risk through the use of insurance but also takes steps to reduce risk in as many ways as possible to avoid claims of negligence. Some risks have been outlined below.
Injury: All adults within the organization are equipped with training in CPR and First Aid. They also have access to a fully stoke First Aid kit and a list of common “injuries” with recommended on-site remedies and contact information for local Emergency Services. If an emergency occurs all adults (both volunteer and hired staff) are instructed to file an Incident Report detailing the event and the steps taken.
Security: The organization takes the security of its participants into great consideration. Sometimes due to the nature of the programs offered in public domains, it becomes difficult to ensure safety and security of participants. However, it is the organization's primary goal to mitigate these risks.
One way this is done is through the use and completion of Registration Forms for all participants in order to document who is enrolled in what programs and at what times. In addition to this, all instructors are required to take and document attendance at the start of each class/event. In regards to participants under the age of 18, a written release form must be signed in order to participate.
Any children who will be released to an individual who is not their Parent or Legal Guardian must provide written permission from their parent or legal guardian stating who will be picking them up. Photo ID will be required for first time pickups.
In the event of an emergency, program instructors are trained on how to handle anything from evacuation to facility lock down as per the venues listed protocol.
All hired staff and volunteers will be highly vetted and trained. We do this through interviews, background checks, and fingerprinting (when necessary).
Emotional: The organization recognizes that in these modern times that there are some risks that aren’t always apparent. This includes bullying and other forms of emotional trauma. Due to this, Stage Presence has adopted a zero tolerance for bullying (including online and offsite) and is a safe space for all individuals to come together. All adults in the organization are trained on how to identify signs of bullying and how to deal with and report any situation that may arise. Compliance in this policy is included on all registration forms and is strictly enforced.
Theft: Stage Presence is not responsible for any lost or stolen items. Participants are advised to avoid bringing items of personal or monetary significance to programs or events for the sake of potential theft. Each program and event will be equipped with a lost and found box for any found items. Found items will be discarded after a year without claim. For items of significant value, individuals will be asked to describe the item with as much detail as possible to confirm its rightful ownership.
Force Majeure: Stage Presence has a policy to protect instructors and participants in the event of severe weather conditions and natural disasters. The organization will use the local school district, new channels, and best judgment to determine closure for inclement weather.
Social Media: We acknowledge and understand that unrestricted access to the internet and social media is a growing risk for all participants, especially youth. A photo/video release is included in all registration forms. We do anticipate that photos taken by our staff or a hired photographer may be used on our organizations social media platforms and website. We strive to ensure that all depictions of our participants are carefully thought out so as to not end up on the “wrong side” of the internet but we cannot guarantee that nefarious individuals won’t be able to access our online images. If there is any reason you wish to opt out of the photo/video release agreement please contact us directly. There will be no questions asked. We also ask that parents and guardians refrain from posting images/videos involving other people's children to your personal social media networks without express consent from those parents. Depending on the situation, the Artistic Director may ask you to remove a post if it violates this agreement.
Other Risks: Any risk not detailed in this document or any supplementary policies/procedures will be addressed as necessary.
Staffing and Volunteer Plan
The Artistic Director will be responsible for overseeing the administration, programming and strategic planning of the organization. Starting in our inaugural year, 2025 this role will be filled by our founder, Kaitlynn Schultz.
Volunteers
We need volunteers to assist in the facilitation of events/activities year round. Including but not limited to our in school program, summer camp, no school day camps, marketing, registration, fundraising, and special events.
Identify:
We will locate potential volunteers by reaching out to the local colleges with similar areas of study such as Brockport, Nazareth, Niagara University, University of Rochester, and more. We will also reach out to local Girl Scout troops to get both adult and student volunteers. Finally we will seek out interested dance studios who are in search of volunteer/work study opportunities for their students, staff and or families.
Selection:
Applicants can volunteer via many sources including online, in person and through other members. In order to ensure that a steady stream of volunteers are involved with the organization, we will seek out individuals via the channels outlined above. Applicants will be screened, interviewed and distributed to specific tasks based on relevance and interest. Some volunteers may be accepted as an exchange for access to programs or events. Interviews will be held on an ongoing basis. Volunteers will be categorized as either “Cast” or “Crew”. Cast Volunteers are participant facing positions and will be selected based on experience working with others, and overall temperament. Crew Volunteers will operate in a more “behind the scenes” capacity and will be selected based on experience in the area or interest.
Orientation:
Must take place before new volunteers can work with youth. This happens via an online training held via Zoom. Organizational goals and policies will be discussed during this orientation, as well as general expectations and frequently asked questions. There will be a review of the Emergency Plan and we will establish a “chain of command” so that all volunteers know who to report to. Volunteers duties will be clearly outlined within a separate document entitled “Volunteer Handbook”
Training:
Volunteers will be separated based on skills, interest and experience. Training for specific events and activities will happen one week prior to the start date. This training will happen online via Zoom.
Utilization:
Volunteers are expected to be versatile and available to do whatever is asked of them during their assigned volunteer time. They will be responsible for things such as, registration, facilitation of programs, set-up/tear down and continual clean up. Communication amongst staff and participants/families.
Recognition and Evaluation:
After all participants leave, volunteers will have the opportunity to discuss the day’s events with everyone as a group. During this time, volunteers will be recognized by each other as well as their supervisors. At the end each year there will be an Organizational Banquet where volunteers can earn awards such as “Volunteer of the Year” and other superlative awards. Volunteers will have the opportunity to complete comment/suggestion cards following their volunteer service. During a follow up, the staff will review their performance and provide feedback. We will also offer “Volunteer Dollars” that are accumulated via hours served and can be redeemed for reduced or comped program/event fees.
Special Committees:
If you’d like to get involved in ways other than financial contributions, ask about how you join one of our special committees.
Events and Programming
Tasked with evaluating current and past events and programming while also planning for future initiatives.
Community Outreach
Responsible for researching potential community outreach opportunities and facilitating planned events. Will work directly with Events and Programming on some programs.
Connections
The goal of this committee is to bring together Staff and caregivers to discuss what's going on within the organization and the community. What’s working? What’s not working?
Kids of the Future
Kids are our future - and they deserve a say! This allows the kids in our program to get together and discuss the direction they’d like to see the organization going. In addition to being led by the Artistic Director, special positions will be reserved for members of the organization Chapter of the National Honor Society for Dance Arts.