Citizens for Rebuilding the Wimer Covered Bridge

Strategic Plan 2004-2006

Wimer Covered Bridge Replacement Project

September 30^th 2004

Presented by:

Dan Roberts, Chairperson

Dennis Rasmussen, Co-Chairperson

Bev Nolan, Treasurer

Joan Knoeppel, Secretary

Bill Sabados, Board Member

Roberta Menteer, Board Member

Joyce Purrier, Board Member 

 

            The Citizens for Rebuilding the Wimer Covered Bridge are pleased to present our Strategic Plan 2004-2006 to Jackson County Commissioner Chairperson Sue Kupillas, Deputy County Administrator Dave Kanner and Jackson County Roads Department Engineer Mike Kuntz as of September 30^th 2004.

            Our plan is in response to the citizens desire to have the Wimer covered bridge replaced with a new wooden timber truss bridge replicating the original as close as possible and allowing for vehicular traffic.  As indicated in the bridge options presented by Jackson County during the April 2004 public meeting and voted on by those present, we are prepared to meet the required goal of $334,000 completing our portion of the project.  A comprehensive spreadsheet supporting our financial details is included at the end of this plan.

 

Our Vision

            We see this opportunity to replace the bridge as not only restoring an important part of our local history but also to make the bridge and surrounding area a worthy destination benefiting all of Jackson County for generations to come.  It is also a prime showcase for the character and dedication of the people of this area.

Our Mission

            We will support this project by meeting or exceeding the required funding of $334,000 and ensuring Jackson County will be able to secure and fully utilize the federal funding already in place.  This will eliminate any impact to local budgets beyond what has already been allocated.  We will use conventional and creative methods to meet this goal in a timely manner during the next 12-18 months.

 

Goal 1 – Reorganize committee and create infrastructure to meet project needs.

Key Strategies:

1 - Board expanded to 7 positions in order to address new projects and increase community participation.

2 – Draft a detailed strategic plan to meet funding requirements.  Formed a dedicated subcommittee to focus      on possible options and identify most productive activities.

3 – Created a dedicated website to facilitate project communication and allow for online fund raising. (www.wimercoveredbridge.org)

4 – Identify marketable, branded items to sell.  Established common logo for all committee sponsored items.

5 – Established a local store front at the Wimer Market to sell our branded items.  We staffed an order processing team to handle any online or mail orders received.

             Measurement – Goal 1 accomplished, each strategy in place and functional.

 

Goal 2 – Create items to sell and establish supply vendors

Key Strategies:

1 – Memory Bricks, three separate sizes with different donation levels associated with each.  This is one of the key elements in our funding plan.  Not only can this provide funds for the current project requirements but also for future funds as well as described in Goal 6.  Bricks will be located on walkways adjacent to the roadway and in areas surrounding the bridge.

2 – Created apparel such as Tee shirts, tank tops, crew neck sweatshirts, hooded pull over and hooded zip up sweatshirts, caps with our logo.  Local vendor established with favorable pricing.  Current sales volume is strong as we are on the third reorder for inventory.

3 – Created and published a cookbook with local families contributing favorite recipes with base cost offset from local business advertising sales.  Full allotment of advertising space was sold and maximized possible funds raised.              Completed in time for 2004 holiday season sales.

4 – Created low cost branded and attractive items to encourage public awareness and free advertising such as bumper stickers, note cards and refrigerator magnets.  Local vendors established with favorable pricing.

5 – Create branded coffee mugs and wine glasses.  Wine glasses to be used for future wine tasting events as well.

6 – Create and self publish a 2005 calendar with the Wimer or other Oregon covered bridges.  Same format, new pictures to repeat for 2006.

            Measurement – Goal 2 50% accomplished with balance in process at this time.

 

Goal 3 – Host dedicated events or attend local festivals and fairs to present information and sales booth operations.  Full line of items for sale in Goal 2 will be at each event.

Key Strategies:

1 – Rooster Crow 2004, resulted in $2000 raised, will attend in 2005

2 – Car wash at Umpqua Bank, Sept. 2004, resulted in $500 raised

3 – Evans Valley Fire Dept. Yard Sale 2004 resulted in $1300 raised

4 – Silent Auction, donations are currently being provided with plans to solicit    for more.  Date of auction to be determined, may combine with another event?

5 – “Taste of Wimer” a food and wine tasting event with our cookbook recipes             made by local recipe donors and local vineyards showcasing their wines to    be held in Wimer.  Planning is underway for April 2005.

6 – Larger version of the “Taste of Wimer” to include a wider variety of foods, restaurants and vineyards.  To be held in the Medford area at a venue to support more patrons.  Planning is underway for November 2005.

7 – Pear Blossom Festival, April 2005

8 – Boatnik, May 2005

9 – Jackson County Fair, July 2005

10 – Josephine County Fair, August 2005

            Measurement – Goal 3 is 100% accomplished for events planned to date with encouraging results for those venues.  Planning will continue for upcoming scheduled events.  We will expand the number of events as volunteer resources allow.

 

Goal 4 – Additional Grants

Key Strategies:

1 – We have a grant writing team in place that is in the process of  pursuing additional grants to supplement our existing funds.  The amounts of these grants are possibly substantial.  The deadline requirement to have this plan in place did not allow for us to actually account for any of these funds at this time.  We are working to have this be a known quantity to the overall plan by May 2005.  We chose to leave this area open so if and when any grants are awarded, they will only be an added bonus to the totals we have committed to.

            Measurement – Goal 4, in progress at this time.

 

Goal 5 – Direct Contributions and Donations

Key Strategies:

1 – Direct mail solicitation campaign to both cold and known individual contacts.

2 – Direct mail solicitation campaign to local businesses from small to larger       corporations in regional area.

3 – Website cash only donations via secure online transactions.  Note: items for sale on the website are accounted for separately under Goal 2, this is strictly cash donations only.

4 – In kind donations hold the potential to produce the single largest portion of our fund raising effort and are by far the most creative.  Final details of these transactions can be provided once the complete bill of materials for the actual   bridge is available.  We have proceeded to this point using the preliminary budget information provided by Jackson County and their contractors.  We have focused on providing the materials required to assemble the bridge.  We intend to use our individual resources to work with local industries such as but not limited to Boise Cascade and provide a minimum of $100,000 of material to be used in the bridge and supporting structure.  The line items we have identified as the most promising to address this are the bridge materials listed at $145,000, concrete for abutments listed at $30,000 and precast concrete panels listed at $70,000.  The specified materials that we are able to provide direct from approved vendors as donations to our organization should equate to the same cash contribution.  The opportunities to exceed the minimum $100,000 listed as our goal for this category are actively being explored.

            Measurement – Goal 5, mail campaigns are beginning now that fundraising plans  are complete.  Website transactions have been enabled.  Negotiations regarding  the in kind donations are actively ongoing.  Contracts between our organization, Citizens for Rebuilding the Wimer Covered Bridge and selected vendors will be finalized and presented to Jackson County to validate the final value of contributions we are able to provide.

 

 

Goal 6 – Surplus Funding Utilization

Key Strategies:

1 – Our plans if completely successful will provide a potential excess of funds from what were originally required.  We will also work closely with the county to assist in reducing the project cost in every possible way which may also contribute to additional funds remaining with the Citizens for Rebuilding the Wimer Covered Bridge.  If this should be the case at the completion of the bridge construction, we intend to transfer any remaining funds into a private foundation for the sole purpose of funding future maintenance of the bridge and the surrounding area.

            Measurement – Goal 6, for future action only

 

Goal 7 – Mae Ellis Park Improvements

Key Strategies:

1 – Actively seek other organizations interested in improving the appearance and functionality of the current park conditions once the bridge construction has been completed.  While this is outside the scope of the original project it is closely related and widely recognized as a situation in need of attention.

            Measurement – Goal 7, for future action only