PHOTO CAPTION: A strategic planning workshop was held March 21 at the Franco Center and included board members, staff and a planning consultant. From left, in the front row are Denise Scammon, Alice Kornhauser, Theresa Shanahan, and Susan Spellman; back row: Jan Sullivan, Dr. Don Christie, Dottie Perham-Whittier, and Michel Lajoie.
Franco Center board and staff collaborate on five-year strategic plan
LEWISTON — On Friday, March 21, the board members and staff of the Franco Center came together with consultant Alice Kornhauser, founder and principal of AKorn Communications, for a productive session focused on the Center’s new five-year strategic plan. The meeting included board members Chair Michel Lajoie, Vice Chair Dr. Don Christie, Treasurer Jan Sullivan, and Dottie Perham-Whittier, as well as staff members: Theresa Shanahan, executive director; Denise Scammon, marketing and development director; and Susan Spellman, box office manager and administrative assistant. *
Shanahan, who had been collaborating with Kornhauser for several weeks on the strategic plan, shared that it was the right time to bring the board and staff together for a brainstorming session. “It was very encouraging to hear the input from staff members and our current board. This is great forward momentum!” she said.
The day-long workshop centered on a SWOT analysis— a widely used marketing and strategic planning tool that stands for Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats. This exercise allowed participants to contribute their insights, helping to identify key priorities for the Center’s future.
“The planning session enabled us to collaboratively focus on where we are, where we want to be, and how we are going to get there,” said board member Perham-Whittier. “Such input and perspectives are invaluable for the Center’s continued growth and development.”
The group’s discussion highlighted an extensive list of the organization’s strengths, including its rich French culture, language, and history programs, a dedicated and passionate staff, a beautiful and historic building, signature events, a strong marketing presence, an engaged audience, and the Franco Center’s role as a gathering place for the community.
“Our interactions with patrons at the Franco Center are invaluable in understanding our strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats,” noted Scammon. “For instance, patrons at La Rencontre often share how much they enjoy the social hour before the event begins, which speaks to the community-building atmosphere we strive to foster.”
Board Chair Lajoie echoed the importance of community feedback in shaping the Center’s strategic plan: “We need input from our community on what they appreciate about our events and programs, and what they’d like to see more or less of in the future. We are also committed to the Franco Center’s mission of honoring, preserving, and celebrating Franco-American heritage.”
At the conclusion of the session, the group identified several key priorities for the Center’s future, including professional development, board member recruitment, and increasing awareness of the venue’s rental opportunities. Kornhauser wrapped up the workshop by summarizing the SWOT analysis, stating, “It’s clear that a lot of great work is happening here at the Franco Center.”
For more information about volunteering or becoming a board member, or to share comments, the public is encouraged to contact the Franco Center staff at 207-783-1583. Additional details about the organization and its events can be found on the newly updated website at www.francocenter.org. The venue is located at 46 Cedar Street, the former St. Mary’s Church, in Lewiston.
*Board member Michel Courchesne was absent but is involved with the strategic planning.
