On January 21, 2026, United Way Northumberland is inviting community members, partners, and supporters to take part in an important moment of reflection, imagination, and possibility: our Strategic Planning Day.
This half-day discovery session, running from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the Columbus Community Centre in Cobourg, is about shaping the future of United Way in Northumberland, and ensuring that our work continues to reflect the needs, values, and hopes of the communities we serve.
As part of our multifaceted strategic planning process, we are intentionally inviting voices from across our community. We want to hear your dreams, aspirations, and bold ideas — not just for United Way, but for Northumberland as a whole. Whether you’ve supported United Way for years, partnered with us through programs or campaigns, or simply care deeply about this community, your perspective matters.
The morning will be guided by an Appreciative Inquiry approach, a forward-looking and solution-oriented process that focuses on strengths, sparks creativity, and explores what is working and what could be. Unlike a traditional SWOT exercise, this approach encourages participants to dream big and think differently about our collective impact — grounded in possibility rather than limitation.
We are pleased to be working with Clearview Training & Consulting, a respected organization with deep experience supporting non-profits in strategic planning, board development, leadership competencies, and fundraising. Their role will be to guide the conversation and help surface meaningful insights that can inform United Way Northumberland’s next chapter.
The session will be highly interactive, with participants actively involved through interviews, small group discussions, and full-group sharing. Together, we’ll explore themes, celebrate strengths, and begin to shape priorities that will guide how community support is directed in the years ahead.
At United Way Northumberland, we know that giving isn’t just about dollars — it’s about voice, trust, and shared responsibility. This Strategic Planning Day is one way community members can help shape how donations are invested and how impact is created across the county.
The event is free to attend, but registration is required. If you’re interested in helping imagine what’s possible for our community, we invite you to RSVP through our CanadaHelps event page.
We value your input and we look forward to shaping the future together.
Please note: highlights of the event will be filmed throughout the morning.
