At the board meeting on Aug. 4, the SHARE board of directors unanimously approved our three-year rolling strategic plan and process. This process may have started 18 months ago with our strategic planning task force comprised of board members and with help from an outside facilitator, but the vision is ours.

The task force looked forward and leaned into SHARE’s mission to positively impact the mainframe community. We have always brought together the mainframe community for knowledge sharing and networking, as well as advocacy. The strategic plan will prioritize deliverables for the organization and its members.

There are three key pillars of the strategic plan:

• Articulate SHARE and Mainframe Relevance
• Evolve SHARE Offerings
• Govern and Operate Effectively

The first pillar requires the board, volunteers, membership, and staff to amplify the purpose and value of SHARE and the mainframe at large by growing and diversifying its membership to drive leadership and innovation. Our twice-yearly events and SHARE’d Intelligence are just two of the tools we can leverage to communicate with the industries that rely on mainframe technology, whether directly or indirectly, for their business success. Just as stability and security are key anchors for the longevity and success of the mainframe platform, the stability and longevity of our membership is a key operational advantage for SHARE today.

The second pillar is to continue to evolve SHARE’s offerings, such as SHARE’d Knowledge, to drive member and partner value and foster a vibrant, engaged community. Community engagement is key to the first two pillars as it enables and drives the exchange of expertise, ideas, and opinions which lead to innovation in the mainframe space. As artificial intelligence, hybrid cloud, and other technologies come on the scene to enhance the mainframe’s capabilities, SHARE can and should be the home for that education. Our members fuel the curiosity of others through education, and our opportunities for new offerings are endless.

The final pillar is to ensure organizational and fiscal health to enable the sustainability of the organization and efficiency that empowers volunteers and staff. Through collaboration and connectivity, the SHARE board, partners, and staff can leverage the organization’s capabilities to meet the needs of its members. SHARE is the community that extends with the mainframe into every industry, and our members are essential to the future growth of SHARE.

As we continue to roll out elements of the strategic plan, we will continue to communicate our activities through SHARE’d Intelligence and other vehicles. If you have questions or want to get involved, please contact any member of the SHARE Board of Directors.