On January 28, 1999 the Cape Fear River Assembly Executive Committee unanimously approved the initiation of a strategic planning process to identify future issues, needs and directions of the Assembly.  The North Carolina Department of Commerce’s Division of Community Assistance was selected to provide facilitation support services and report preparation services for the project.

On May 25, 1999 the CFRA Board of Directors initiated the strategic planning process by participating in a “visioning session” to identify the four most important issues contributing to the future success of the organization.  The visioning session employed a consensus building process which resulted in the selection of the following four key issues facing the organization:

A task force was formed to examine each issue in detail, and to develop recommendations for the CFRA Board of Directors’ consideration.  More than 70 people representing many diverse organizations participated on the task forces.  Throughout the study phase of the project each task force met at least five times to:

Each of the task forces completed their work in December, 1999.  The task force reports were consolidated into a “draft” final report which was approved by the CFRA Executive Committee on January 20, 2000.  A considerable amount of time and effort has been contributed by each person participating in the CFRA’s Strategic Planning Process.  The result is an excellent comprehensive tool to guide the Assembly as it continues to strengthen and build on efforts to protect and promote the Cape Fear River Basin.