On July 18, over 20 AWIU Board members and other members gathered together in Park City, Utah, for a strategic planning retreat to continue to work on charting AWIU’s next five years—surrounded by stunning natural beauty, the charm of a vibrant historic mountain town, and, most importantly, the warmth and connection of each other’s company.
Miranda Cohen, our strategic consultant, opened the full-day meeting with a brief review of AWIU’s current strategic plan. She shared the results of a data report gleaned from interviews conducted with several members spanning the organization. The report reaffirmed something we’ve long known: AWIU’s greatest strength is its passionate, engaged membership. Across generations and geographies, our members are united by a deep commitment to cross-cultural understanding and meaningful personal connection—a shared language that continues to fuel our mission and impact.
The day raced by as we discussed mission-critical goals, analyzed stakeholder groups to discover growth opportunities, and established key strategic priorities and next steps in the strategic planning process.
The findings and discussion made clear that AWIU’s foundation is strong, built on shared values and enduring connections. At the same time, members are eager to see the organization continue to evolve—with care and intention—to meet the needs of today’s world and tomorrow’s challenges. There was a spirit of excitement and optimism in the room, as we looked ahead together with purpose and pride. The new strategic plan will be finalized at the end of the year.
Some specific topics that were discussed at the retreat included the following:
- Attendees engaged in a conversation about membership dynamics. The data report confirmed that AWIU’s mission to build international understanding remains the primary reason new members are drawn to the organization. Many expressed appreciation for our current membership size, noting that keeping it between 200 and 500 helps preserve the sense of intimacy, warmth, and active engagement that defines AWIU. At the same time, there was thoughtful discussion about making the application process more nimble and inclusive—allowing space for both deeply involved members and those seeking more flexible, casual participation.
- Attendees explored the impact and status of our signature programs, such as the International Women of Courage Celebration and our Delegations — two programs that new members often cite as drawing them in. These programs were recognized as core to member engagement and pride in AWIU’s global reach. However, members also acknowledged the evolving landscape and the uncertainty surrounding programs like IWOC. There was a strong and hopeful call to thoughtfully reimagine these cornerstone events—honoring tradition while embracing innovation—to ensure they continue to serve our mission and community well into the future.
- The group discussed leadership and organizational structure. There was clear appreciation for the rich opportunities provided through committee and board service. At the same time, members expressed enthusiasm for introducing more structured and transparent leadership pathways, including clearer nomination processes, term limits, and expanded roles—especially ones that invite emerging leaders in their 30s to 50s to step forward to shape AWIU’s future.
- Attendees also discussed several operational priorities. Many members voiced support for long-term consideration of additional staff to bring added expertise to key areas, such as communications, and to support the work of member volunteers. Attendees emphasized the importance of refining our partnership strategy with like-minded organizations and universities, and continuing to strengthen internal systems—ensuring that AWIU remains not only mission-driven but also sustainable, adaptable, and well-supported.
Please reach out to info@awiu.org for more information.
