NDGA Long Range Plan

Report by NDGA Planning Committee
Volume 12 No. 1 - July/August 1985

Long range planning has been an accepted procedure for successful organizations for many years. It is a recognized fact that to survive and grow, organizations must decide what they hope to achieve, and how to seta bout achieving it.

Long range planning is laying a foundation for the future. It is taking the hopes and visions of the members, translating them into goals, and, through organization, activities and resource allocations, striving to meet those goals.

• Long range planning can run into difficulties:
• The future may be different than envisioned
• Some goals will require many years to achieve and various problems may arise along the way
• Internal resistance may slow progress or even destroy the plan
• There is no guarantee of success

Organizations which are pledged to long range plans, however, do enjoy more success than those which proceed without them.

The following contains a Long Range Plan for the National Depression Glass Association, Inc.

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PURPOSE

The purpose of the National Depression Glass Association, Inc., is to unite people in good fellowship through sponsored activities and form a central organization of members who are interested in promoting depression glass through an exchange of ideas and the dissemination of detailed knowledge regarding depression era glassware.

ORGANIZATION

The organization consists of a Board of Directors and four officers who are elected by the general membership; appointed committee positions; and clubs and general membership which is obtained by submitting an application and the appropriate fee. All clubs and members are charged annual dues with the exception of a club with at least sixty percent (60%) of its members being paid members of NDGA, in which case that club's dues are waived.

Each region should be assured of being represented on the Board of Directors:

• 1985: By-laws will be amended to state that there will be one Board member from each region.
• 1987: Each region should be able to elect its own Board member. The By-laws will be amended to so state.
• 1990: There will be annual regional meetings. These would be held in conjunction with a glass show in that region. The Board member from that region (Regional Director) and at least one NDGA officer should be present. A report of this meeting to be given at the annual meeting of the NDGA.

It is important that the NDGA have the support of clubs at the local level. An exchange of ideas and information between clubs and the NDGA would benefit all members. Club support should be solicited by first offering the benefits of being an affiliated club, then searching for more ways of being mutually helpful.

• 1985 - A membership application will be designed specifically for clubs, showing club name and mailing address; officers and term expiration date; date, time and location of club meetings. (A Club Member Information Sheet is to accompany the application of clubs with at least sixty percent (60%) of its members being paid members of NDGA in order for the membership dues to he waived.)
• 1985 - Publish in News & Views affiliated club directory with meeting date, time, and place.
• 1986 - Send a survey letter to member and non-member glass clubs, seeking ideas and desires of clubs.

EDUCATIONAL ACTIVITIES

One of the main reasons collectors join the NDGA is to learn more about depression glass. There should be programs to interest both the beginning and the veteran collector. Educating the general public about depression glass is important and should be addressed. One of the greatest problems facing collectors today is reproductions. Keeping members informed of what is new and how to tell it from the old should be included in the plan.

• Each Year - Publish up-to-date lists of repros In the News & Views in list-out form.
• 1985 - Initiate a slide program by appointing a committee to start planning it. Affiliated clubs may be recruited to help locate glass collections for photographing.
• 1987 - A Speakers Bureau will, be formed to promote Depression Era Glass and NDGA by speaking before groups. NDGA could encourage speakers from membership by providing outlines and guides for their use.
• 1987 - A slide. program, Introduction to Depression Glass, will be produced (and/or a video tape).
1. This will show tables set with various patterns, followed by a close-up of that pattern.
2. The program will be available to any organization for a fee.
3. The program can be used for lectures.

LEGISLATION

The NDGA should do everything possible to promote legislation to mark reproductions. This is an area where affiliated clubs, working together, could accomplish so much more than each individual club working independently.

• 1986 - Appoint a committee to work in a joint effort with all the other glass clubs to study this subject and prepare the necessary information for involving the NDGA in a push for new legislation to protect collectors from reproductions.

MUSEUM

The acquisition of property to display a collection of depression era glassware is to be considered of importance. Such housing to provide for the display and exhibition of the NDGA's collection and should include a center for the research and study of such glassware. It should be maintained by the NDGA for the use of NDGA members. All other interested persons may use the facility for a fee.

Although the museum will not become a reality for perhaps ten years, it is essential that planning start now.

• 1986 - A committee will be appointed to study means of financing, and a fund should be started.
• 1990 - A committee will be appointed to study and make recommendations as to location of museum.

PUBLICITY

In order to grow, the NDGA must have good publicity. Paid advertisements in appropriate publications are most important. Other methods should be sought.

• 1985 - A Brochure, containing pertinent information about NDGA's history, purpose, goals, and membership application will be designed. It will be suitable for mailing and for setting out at shows.
• 1987 - The slide program: Introduction to Depression Glass, that is outlined under Educational Activities can also be used for publicity.