RRCSA STRATEGIC PLAN

Red River College Students’ Association Strategic Plan

In 2022-23 the Students’ Association Board completed our 2023-2026 Strategic Plan. Taking input from student leaders, students and the board, there was a committee to gather, organize and write the strategic plan. The Strat Plan helps set goals and make decisions for the executives and board. It also focuses the energies of the staff and volunteers who help steer, implement, and guide us into the future.

The Strat Plan encompasses five core pillar objectives, which, in a combined way, help focus and create tangible goals with metrics to move the RRCSA toward achieving its mission and vision. Keeping the pillars as our guide, the annual association goals and plans are reviewed, updated or modified as we move through the years.

Five organizational pillars identified within our strategic plan are:

Advocacy
Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility
Governance
Engagement
Truth & Reconciliation

The Governance and Internal Review Committee of the Students’ Association Board approved the 2023-2026 Strategic Plan on September 12, 2023.

The RRCSA is here to represent you and your needs and concerns. We advocate for Students within the college and provide a united, external voice through our association in municipal, provincial, and federal Student organizations. RRCSA will continuously address issues and bring forward ideas to improve life on campus for all Students.

Core Objectives:

The RRCSA’s advocacy initiatives are Student-driven to facilitate change and develop new policy areas. The RRCSA will consult with Students and concerned individuals to understand your advocacy priorities. The RRSCA aims for active Student involvement in its advocacy campaigns with all relevant stakeholders.

The RRSCA believes that transparency and accountability to the Students of Red River College Polytechnic are essential. We will appraise them on the progress of our advocacy campaigns and initiatives and any milestones achieved.

The RRCSA’s internal advocacy efforts focus on issues including appeal guidance and disciplinary concerns. The RRCSA will work closely with the College Administration to resolve Student issues and provide support resources and information. The RRSCA will work to build and strengthen the relationship between the RRSCA and the college.

The RRCSA will pursue collaborations with external organizations that share our Student-focused objectives and values. The RRCSA will actively participate at multiple levels, including provincial and federal, to share Students’ issues and concerns and provide their input and feedback.

The RRCSA, understanding that effective advocacy is well-assessed and evidence-based, will utilize an analysis-driven advocacy approach supported by reliable data, facts, and quantifiable research.

The RRCSA will promote and commit to an inclusive learning environment for every Student. We will strongly encourage the participation of Students who differ by life experiences and social identities, including race, sex, age, ability, sexual orientation, gender identity, neurodiversity, and socioeconomic status. The RRCSA will strive to build mutual respect and fair access within all the organization’s operations. RRCSA will support the strategic direction toward advancing Inclusion, Diversity, Equity and Accessibility for all Students within the Red River College Polytechnic community.

Core Objectives:

The RRSCA will seek to establish safe and welcoming spaces for all Students in the college.

The RRCSA will continue to improve its services and actions to encourage all Students’ active participation and involvement.

The RRCSA will organize and create opportunities to involve Students in an inclusive environment.

The RRSCA will develop a wide range of learning opportunities for the College community on equity, diversity, inclusivity, and accessibility.

The RRSCA seeks to involve Students in all levels of governance. Student participation is critical, and there are many opportunities for Students to participate in governance in formal and informal ways. The RRCSA will work to ensure that Students are represented and able to contribute to the functional governance structures and systems as set out in the Mission, Vision, and Values of the RRCSA.

Core Objectives:

The RRCSA will inform Students of the organization’s efforts to enhance and continuously improve the Student experience at the college.

The RRCSA will engage and drive participation efforts to include all Students in the decision-making processes and operations of the RRCSA.

The RRCSA will create bylaws and policies to ensure the interests and needs of the Students at Red River College Polytechnic are met.

The college life experience is enhanced through engagement in activities outside the classroom. RRSCA seeks to support Student leadership and personal development through engagement in Student life activities and opportunities. The RRCSA will connect and communicate with Students to enhance their learning experience.

Core Objectives:

The RRCSA will enhance and promote the services, programs, and resources provided to the Red River College Polytechnic

The RRCSA will create a variety of methods to interact with and engage Students to provide their input and feedback and to voice their issues and concerns.

The RRCSA will identify opportunities to find ways where Students can become involved in College life beyond the classroom.

The RRCSA will create more awareness of our services.

The RRCSA understands and acknowledges the importance of overcoming the legacy of a painful history of colonialism and residential schools. The RRCSA believes that reconciliation is the responsibility of everyone and that indigenous and non-Indigenous Students and staff each have their own role to play. With this in mind, the RRCSA will work to

advance the Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action specifically as they relate to the learning environment and College life.

Core Objectives:

The RRCSA will encourage land acknowledgments that go beyond words to create awareness and understanding and inspire a commitment to reconciliation.

The RRCSA will celebrate, honor, and continue to build relationships with Indigenous communities.

The RRCSA will seek to promote Indigenous historical and contemporary curriculum enhancements.

The RRCSA will support the histories and perspectives of First Nations, Métis, and Inuit communities, focusing on the traditional lands where Red River College Polytechnic

The RRSCA will support and promote further Indigenous-focused research, teachings, and Student engagement.

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YEAR 5 / 2019/20

Communication	Services and Spaces	Philanthropy	Advocacy	Staff
Survey students to see how well we have been doing so far – minimum 6 surveys Survey students to see what should be in the new strategic plan Evaluate effectiveness of current communications tools being used		Review Philanthropy achievements and goals to gauge effectiveness	Review our advocacy plans and achievements to gauge effectiveness.	Increase mental health events to reduce stigma all year long. 1 ongoing event per term and 1 standalone event per term this year.
Create a new strategic plan.				Review staff positions ensuring no gaps.
Have a strategic plan committee transition binder, so the incoming people creating the strategic plan have knowledge of the previous process.
Review bylaws.

YEAR 1 / 2015/16

Communication	Services and Spaces	Philanthropy	Advocacy	Staff
Increase Awareness in the studentbody of existing scholarships survey at the beginning of the year and the end of the year.	Improve SA spaces, office, making them more inviting.	Research endowment for student scholarships.	Do a review of CASA’s membership status.	Events coordinator to manage all volunteers to promote surveys and events.
Organize a scholarship workshop at beginning of year.	Student space in STTC.		Government Relations training at home	Increased online presence.
Survey to see what type of scholarships students need.	Look to find more quiet study space at NDC/EDC where students can also eat food.		Find, research, and write a topic for lobbying based on survey results – finding correlations within survey results	Lockers Lounge upgrade complete.
Use the Projector and other media to announce survey results.	Start working with the college to provide proactive mental health service, and other joint ventures.			More mental health events to reduce stigma all year long – minimum one event each term.
Doing lots of surveys – 3 minimum about scholarships, minimum 6 surveys in total throughout year.
Communication to [potential] students using outside media.

YEAR 2 / 2016/17

Communication	Services and Spaces	Philanthropy	Advocacy	Staff
Increase communication with college – SAME, sitting on committees.	Improve SA spaces, office, making them more inviting.	Develop/write plan for philanthropy.	Government relations training at home.	Mock lobby/board meeting event.
Hold events to increase awareness of advocacy – minimum one this year.	Student space in STTC.	Review funding; endowment/scholarships.	Write a policy based on student needs.	Health, dental and mental health support.
Survey students to determine awareness of advocacy – minimum 1 survey before the event, and 1 survey after event.	More quiet study space at NDC/EDC where students can also eat food.	Engage external partnerships.	Research provincial advocacy.	Part time students on health and dental plan.
Using communications tools found effective in year 1 to communicate with students.	Continue working with the college to provide proactive mental health service, and other joint ventures.		Review federal advocacy.	More mental health events to reduce stigma all year long – minimum one event each term.
	Review SA services to ensure meeting current and future student needs.		Recearch municipal advocacy.
	Review staff and exec positions ensure meeting current and future student needs.

YEAR 3 / 2017/18

Communication	Services and Spaces	Philanthropy	Advocacy	Staff
Evaluate effectiveness of communications tools currently used.	Celebrate SA spaces, office, making them more inviting	Implement philanthropy plan to create a student endowment – fundraise $250,000.	Advocacy committee to present their written policies at AGM	Increase mental health events to reduce stigma all year long – minimum 1 ongoing event, and 3 standalone events this year.
Using communications tools found effective in year 1 to communicate with students.	Celebrate spaces; student space in STTC, study spaces.	Use an external consulting firm to help create/implement plan.		Help achieve endowment goals.
	Evaluate staff and exec positions ensure meeting current and future student needs.	Use endowment to hire students.		Review gaps in staff positions that will affect budget.
	Evaluate college partnerships; mental health service, other joint ventures.	Use endowment to support athletics at the SA.		Review staff salary gaps.
	Celebrate and review utilization of study spaces at NDC/EDC where students congregate.	Generate scholarships from student endowment increasing to new programs –all full-time programs, create framework for awarding scholarships.

YEAR 4 / 2018/19

Communication	Services and Spaces	Philanthropy	Advocacy	Staff
Evaluate effectiveness of communications tools currently used.		Finish philanthropy goal before December 31, 2018 – $250,000.	Starting January 1 2019 communicate successfulness of philanthropy to external partners.	After January 1 2019 host an advocacy awareness event.
Using communications tools found effective in year 1 to communicate with students.		Implement philanthropy plan to create a sustainable student endowment	Meet with local MP’s, MLA’s and city counselors to address student concerns – at least 6 meetings all year with MP’s, MLA’s and/or counselors.	Increase mental health events to reduce stigma all year long – 1 ongoing event per term and 1 standalone event per term.
		Review scholarships from student endowment increasing to new programs –all full-time programs, create framework for awarding scholarships	Participate in a national CASA campaign.
			Government relations involvement.