On October 14, members and guests gathered for a meeting that launched the Women's Policy Forum's 40th Anniversary journey. The program looked back at where WPF began and ahead to what comes next.
What members told us
Strategic planning consultant Missy Gale shared preliminary insights from the 2026 Membership Survey and the Senior Leadership Strategic Planning Session. She walked through a simple process: assess the situation, envision the future, understand the obstacles, set direction through strategic pillars, then set goals and action steps. WPF has finished the first four steps.
M.Gale's presentation: MissyGale_WPF Strategic Planning - 10-14-26.pptx
Asked about their vision for the next three to five years, members' answers grouped into seven themes:
- Integrated marketing and communications
- Expanded networking
- Collaborative partnerships
- Sustainable organizational growth
- Formalized strategic initiatives
- Growth and diversified revenue
- Engaging, issue-driven programming
Members also named what could slow us down: limited volunteer bandwidth, leadership continuity, an identity that needs sharpening, and limited revenue streams. Naming these openly is the first step toward solving them.
Three strategic pillars
Missy proposed three pillars to guide the work ahead:
- Clarity. Define WPF's purpose and positioning, and publish a non-partisan civic engagement framework. The 40th anniversary is a natural moment to do it.
- A sustainable organizational model. Review membership, communications, and funding together. Strengthen leadership succession, procedures, and goal setting.
- A membership lifecycle plan. Cover recruitment, retention, and engagement, including membership levels, a refreshed newsletter, and outreach to employers.
Next comes the practical part: priorities, success measures, and owners for each pillar.
A look into the archives
Jared Dempsey, Librarian/Digital Archivist with the Fort Worth Library's Fort Worth History Center, shared what the library holds on WPF, recognized as one of Tarrant County's founding women's groups.
Jared's handout: WPF_Collection_Highlights_Fort_Worth_Library.pdf
Highlights of the WPF Collection include board meeting minutes, which offer a behind-the-curtain look at the decisions and events that shaped the Forum, and the Core Beliefs Committee folders. Those folders include mission statements and correspondence from 1996 to 2002 and show early members working out how WPF could stay relevant for a new generation of women.
Nine boxes remain unprocessed, but Jared noted that unprocessed doesn't mean unavailable. Members can request to view them. He also encouraged WPF to keep preserving its own records, such as minutes, annual reports, press materials, photographs, and awards.
View the WPF historical records on file with the Fort Worth History Center here: fortworthlibrary.lyrasistechnology.org/repositories/2/resources/375
Legacy Member Q&A
Legacy members attending our meeting included Pat Cheong, Cathy Neece Brown, Margaret DeMoss, and others, who reflected on WPF's early years and its influence in the community.
Get involved
Dr. Stacy Burrell, Chair-Elect, announced that WPF is forming committees for several special projects, including a team to work on the Fort Worth History Center's archive of WPF records. Members can also volunteer for Strategic Planning Development and the 40th Anniversary Celebration. To sign up for one or more, visit bit.ly/486IUZK
Join the journey
Our mission is to elevate the voices of women and children, activating for a brighter, more inclusive future. Forty years gives us a legacy worth celebrating. The next forty give us a future worth shaping. Bring a friend, colleague, or prospective member to our next meeting.
