United Mid-Coast Charities said Monday, Oct. 11, that it is putting the past beleagured year behind itself and is now focusing on a strategic plan.  

The organization announced its strategic planning review last week, after distributing grants of more than $530,000 to 54 local charities on Sept. 30. Having started recouping funds that were embezzled by former UMCC President Russell Brace, UMCC is preparing to chart a strong course for the future, the nonprofit said in a news release.

The goal is to strengthen its support of non-profit agencies in Knox and Waldo counties, UMCC said.

"People want to know where this organization is going now that we have recovered from a difficult year," said UMCC President Stephen Crane, in the release. "Many organizations go through a strategic planning process every five or 10 years, and now is an opportune time for us to do this. We want to see how we can best function internally and most effectively serve the public, so we are looking at every aspect of UMCC to see how we can do better."

UMCC said it has engaged retired U.S. Marine Corps Major General Douglas O'Dell, of Rockport, as a consultant for this project.

O'Dell, who has served as a director of the Apprenticeshop in Rockland, co-authored the current strategic plan of the Hill School in Pennsylvania. He has helped other public sector and non-profit organizations with strategic planning, the release said.

O'Dell has begun interviewing UMCC board members and donors as well as directors of UMCC partner agencies and leaders from the local nonprofit community in order to gather thoughts and ideas from a wide range of perspectives.

“Working together with UMCC's board, he will create a draft strategic plan focused on three areas: the organization itself (its governance, board structure, staffing and partnerships), the community (how UMCC can attract generous donations, effectively support local agencies and best serve the people of Knox and Waldo counties), and, looking to the future, how to grow UMCC's endowment so that it can confidently assist non-profits even during widespread financial crises and other emergencies,” the release said.

Any community members who would like to provide input are welcome to email comments to umcc@midcoast.com. The organization's executive committee will meet with O'Dell in late October to review his findings, and he will produce a draft report by mid-December.

 "We are pleased about this review," said Crane. "The community has given us tremendous support, and we want to provide a transparent, efficient and caring organization to serve this area effectively now and in the future."