Strategic Plan
The Conference of Minority Transportation Officials (COMTO) is a non-profit organization founded in 1971, that’s dedicated to advancing success for underrepresented individuals in the transportation industry.
The Connecticut Chapter (COMTO CT), established in 2015, has developed this Strategic Plan to be a roadmap to achieving its mission and vision to promote opportunities in the transportation industry for minority individuals, Minority Women and Disadvantage Business Enterprise (MWDBE) veterans, people with disabilities and needs of communities of color, through advocacy, information sharing, training, educational and professional development.
The plan was prepared with the guidance of COMTO CT’s Executive Board and committee chairs. The Board’s role included establishing goals, objectives and strategies in four focus areas, 1) advocacy and public awareness; 2) training, education and professional development; 3) membership growth and retention, and 4) diversity and inclusion. The outcomes of efforts towards achieving the goals and objectives will be reviewed annually and adjusted, as needed.
Recognizing the challenges faced with the current pandemic in maintaining a viable organization, in our efforts we will seek opportunities for partnerships with like-minded alliances who have the same level of commitment to achieve success.
Strategic Plan Goals, Objectives and Strategies
The following are goals, objectives and strategies developed for COMTO CT for achieving mission. For each focus area are goal statements representing the outcomes we aspire to, and strategies that describe how we intend to achieve these outcomes.
Training, Education, and Professional Development
Goal #1: Provide opportunities for students (elementary to high school) to learn about career options in transportation.
Objective: Create opportunities for exposure and visibility of transportation career options for underserved students.
Strategies:
1. Partner with local universities, COMTO CT member transportation firms/agencies to develop the framework for virtual educational program.
2. Seek partnerships with community-based organizations for outreach to underserved schools in urbanized communities to administer program.
3. Administer program to a minimum of 1 school annually.
Goal #2: Support the management and growth of MWDBE’s.
Objective: To increase their MWDBE’s competitive edge in the marketplace
Strategies:
1. Work with CTDOT’s DBE program to develop training program, including focus areas in branding management/leadership skills, and back-office training.
2. Seek sponsorships for professional training firms and/or volunteers from member firms for training opportunities.
3. Commit to administering at least one training opportunity annually.
Goal #3: Provide mentoring opportunities and leadership training for COMTO CT members.
Objective: Provide professional development opportunities for Chapter members.
Strategies:
1. Develop a framework for mentoring program. Identify and pair potential mentors/mentees within COMTO CT Chapter.
2. Develop framework for leadership series, including identification of leadership competencies. Seek sponsorships for professional training firms and/or volunteers from member firms for training opportunities.
3. Commit to administering at least one leadership training/mentoring program opportunity annually.
Public Awareness and Advocacy
Goal #1: Increase Chapter visibility through Public Awareness
Objective: Develop marketing strategies utilizing social media and partnerships for Chapter visibility.
Strategies:
1. Establish responsibilities for a Communications committee. Ask COMTO CT membership for volunteers. At minimum establish a LinkedIn page and Chapter website until ramp up committee.
2. Communication Committee to develop marketing strategies through other social media outlets.
3. Co-sponsor events with Women Transportation Seminar (WTS), Connecticut Construction Industry Association (CCIA), Connecticut Department of Transportation (CTDOT) and other comparable organizations.
4. Utilize COMTO National News platform promote and celebrate chapter successes.
Goal #2: Partner with local advocacy groups to engage with local leaders.
Objective: Increase meaningful and appropriate communications with related groups about important transportation topics, legislation, and initiatives.
Strategies:
1. Identify appropriate contacts at a minimum of four (4) peer organizations.
2. Set up meet and greets to form relationships that may be mutually beneficial to both organizations to exchange ideas and information, and potentially partner on transportation advocacy-related issues.
3. Establish responsibilities for a legislative committee. Ask COMTO CT membership for volunteers.
4. Identify transportation coalitions and request to be added to agendas on legislative matters.
5. Promote legislative action that impacts COMTO’s key constituencies through support letters, Chapter webpage and LinkedIn pages.
6. Seek resources from COMTO National to engage with local political leaders to promote the COMTO mission.
Membership Growth and Retention
Goal and Objective: Grow and diversify membership as well as encouraging and supporting career development and advancement of COMTO CT members.
Strategies:
1. Identify potential members for recruitment to include senior management in the transportation industry, elected officials, academicians, representatives from the business community involved in transportation-related businesses, MWDBEs.
2. Send Corporate Membership Recruitment Letters to transportation-related businesses and agencies.
3. Host annual membership drives throughout the year, including activities during COMTO week in November. Identify potential member agencies and work to set up lunch and learns to discuss the benefits of membership.
4. Develop framework Scholarship Program to assist COMTO members with transportation-related career development. Develop fundraising activities and seek donations to fund program.
Diversity and Inclusion
Goal #1: Advocate for a diverse and inclusive workforce by educating stakeholders on diversity and inclusion.
Objective: Create an environment of diversity and inclusion at all levels of organizations.
Strategies:
1. Collaborate with Diversity Offices in member agencies/firms to host events and trainings.
2. Meet with WTS and other alliances to explore next partnering opportunity for diversity and inclusion educational events.
3. Meet with other organizations (not necessarily in the Transportation field) to explore how we might help leverage our respective strengths to promote diversity and inclusion.