Strategic Planning 2025

Strategic Planning 2025
The RNS Strategic Plan is set to expire in 2025. The RNS Board convened in June 2024 to reflect on the plans' success/effectiveness and began re-engaging the sector to determine where our energies should be placed next.

A summary of the Board’s wisdom, thoughts, and actions were placed in one of three buckets:
- Education/training/skill development opportunities
- Membership services
- Acute and emerging sector priorities
As part of the 2024 RNS Conference, we hosted a strategic planning session where all delegates were encouraged to respond to posed questions to determine:

"What specific changes would you like to see through the advocacy and actions of RNS?"

Contributions during this session have helped inform RNS' current operational priorities and longer-range strategy and will guide the Board's direction of RNS going forward.

If you could not attend this strategic planning session during the 2024 conference or feel like you have more insights you would like to share, please respond to the questions below.
What are the top recreation priorities in your community & what role could RNS play in supporting them?

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- Active Transportation
- Facilities
  - Regarding ageing facilities, required upgrades, and availability of facilities, clarify the roles of RNS/RFANS regarding parks/trails support
- Accessibility
  - Free/low-cost activities, rec opportunities for the homeless population, affordable activities for people with disabilities, keeping seniors active and social, and free outdoor pickleball courts
- Education & Capacity Building
  - Qualified people to run events and officials’ training
I would like to add the following comments:
What are the top recreation priorities province-wide, and what role could RNS play in supporting them?

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- Climate Change/Emergency Management
- Recreation Sector Sustainability
  - Clarify recreation mandate, address needs for purpose/skill-based recreation, education to challenge current practices
- Delivery Model for Foundational Movement Skills/Physical Literacy
  - free/low-cost activities, rec opportunities for the homeless population, affordable activities for people with disabilities, keeping seniors active and social, and free outdoor pickleball courts.
- Facilities
  - Meeting needs in high growth areas, community use of schools
- Affordability
I would like to add the following comments:
What priorities and/or emerging trends do you foresee within the next 5 years, and how can RNS support?

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- Changing Population
  - Immigration, number of vulnerable seniors, homelessness
- Transportation/Transit/Active Transportation/Housing
  - Urban vs Rural, Affordability
- Climate Change/Emergency Preparedness/Protection of Natural Environment
- Increasing Demand For Recreation Facilities/Assets In All Communities
  - Accessibility, safe spaces, facility upgrades, outdoor spaces
I would like to add the following comments:
What skills/knowledge are most important for those entering the sector?

What should RNS focus on for professional development over the next 5 years?

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- People/interpersonal skills: networking, building rapport, reading the room, trauma-informed approaches
- Communication skills: report writing, listening to understand, asking insightful questions, facilitation skills, effective community engagement
- Overview of the recreation sector in Nova Scotia: recreational delivery model (PROs, MPALs, RPASCs), RNS roles, political landscape and impact on the sector
- EDIA training
- Asset-based community-led development
- Human Resources: onboarding, performance management, crisis management policies/procedures/training; leadership development
- Workshops in outdoor leadership, environmental conservation, and burnout management
I would like to add the following comments:
Is there a gap between what you are currently being asked to do, and the skillset that you have?
RNS is currently reviewing our membership structure and impacts. What would you like to see considered for RNS membership?

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- Clearly define memberships and communicate the benefits
- Review membership structure and promote value to current/potential members
- Streamline membership administration and renewal processes
- Engage members personally and regionally throughout the year
I would like to add the following comments:
How would you like to be engaged as a member?

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- RNS staff to attend quarterly meetings with member municipalities/regional rec groups
- ASK! Reach out to engage members personally rather than only email blasts
- Chatbox
- Facebook group
I would like to add the following comments:
Would you be interested in volunteering on a working group to support the work of RNS?

(What area? What conditions?)

Examples of responses previously provided include:
- Clearly-defined, tangible, engaging opportunities
- Foster connections between students and the sector: mentorship/volunteer/employment opportunities
- Engage RNS “elders,” students, and members in all regions with personal asks – go into settings
I would like to add the following comments:
Anything missing? What else is on your mind?
Should be Empty: