Insights from the 5th Annual ACAP Strategic Planning Meeting

Last November, the Association of Croatian American Professionals (ACAP) held its 5th Annual Strategic Planning Meeting in Chicago, bringing together ACAP leadership from various chapters to discuss strategy for the upcoming year. The gathering was marked by thoughtful discussions and strategic planning centered on enhancing the organization’s impact on the Croatian-American community.

The meeting opened with insightful remarks from ACAP President Maria Sentic and Consul General Sanja Lakovic, both of whom highlighted the substantial growth ACAP has witnessed since its inception. This growth not only reflects ACAP’s expanding influence but also underscores the increased engagement of its membership base.

Throughout the day, the focus was on several key areas critical to ACAP’s mission. The discussion began with a deep dive into the financial health of the organization. Treasurer Igor Matic outlined new financial guidelines aimed at formalizing processes and reducing risks.

Marketing strategies were also a major point of discussion. Katherine Sredl, leading the Marketing and PR Committee, shared successes in growing ACAP’s online presence and engagement across multiple platforms. The conversation highlighted the importance of integrating marketing efforts with other committees to amplify fundraising and member benefits.

A significant portion of the meeting was dedicated to discussing the Foundation’s milestones and future objectives. Kresimir Marusic provided an overview of successful mentorship and scholarship programs, and plans to engage local chapters more actively in fundraising efforts were outlined.

Committee updates brought forth exciting developments from various fronts:

  • The Business & Entrepreneurship Committee reported on its impactful workshops and forums, particularly the seminar series “Croatian Companies Entering the U.S. Market,”  which engaged over 200 attendees.
  • The Health and Lifestyle Committee shared its rebranding efforts and future goals, including expanding educational webinars and supporting health tourism initiatives in Croatia.
  • The Double Taxation Task Force discussed its ongoing advocacy for treaty ratification, highlighting the grassroots campaign encouraging member participation through letter submissions to senators.

Mislav Magerl provided an update on membership and chapters, emphasizing the successful migration to the Hivebrite platform, which has enhanced member engagement and streamlined operations. Updates from chapters across the country showed vibrant local activities and set the stage for future growth and deeper community connections.

Strategic Initiatives and Focus for 2025: Initiatives by Pillar 

Membership & Chapter Engagement and Growth Strategies

Student & Professional Outreach: Implement strategies to increase student and young professional engagement.

Reframe Membership Value: Clearly communicate the impact of membership fees, with regular updates from Foundation staff that highlight organizational activities and achievements. This reinforces the value provided by the membership fees.

National and Chapter Level Engagement: Utilize a quarterly event calendar to maintain active engagement. Emphasize the benefits of membership at both the national and local chapter levels, highlighting tangible and intangible benefits.

Chapter Autonomy: Encourage chapters to deliver activities based on their unique resources and membership size, enhancing local engagement while maintaining alignment with national goals.

Diverse Membership Tiers: Introduce varied membership levels (corporate, small business, nonprofit) with corresponding benefits, such as promotional opportunities included in corporate memberships.

Membership Surveys: Conduct surveys to gauge members’ willingness to pay and tailor the membership structure to meet their expectations and needs.

National Communications Strategy: Utilize a national account on Hivebrite for consistent and regular communication, increasing organizational visibility and member engagement.

Policy & Advocacy 

Legislative Coordination: Focus on coordinating visits to Capitol Hill in April 2025 to secure support for the Double Taxation Treaty (DTT) vote. Aim for an inclusive approach that involves multiple stakeholders to enhance effectiveness.

Educational Materials: Develop a white paper detailing how resolving double taxation issues benefits the general community. This document should provide a thorough explanation and serve as a key informational tool for stakeholders.

Public Awareness Webinars: Host a ZOOM webinar to educate the public on what double taxation entails. This session should aim to clarify misconceptions and provide a straightforward explanation of the issue’s impacts.

Legislative Workshops: Conduct workshops designed to make legislative processes accessible to non-lawyers. These workshops are particularly valuable for those involved in lobbying efforts and can be a critical resource for training the next generation of leaders.

Companies & Projects 

Annual Sponsorship Model: Transition to an annual sponsorship model to maximize the value of ongoing engagement.

Sponsor Engagement Framework: Develop a comprehensive framework for successful sponsor engagement.

Governance and Policy Committee: Establish a committee to develop procedures and advise on policy adherence.

Self-Reporting Requirement: Implement a self-reporting mechanism for transparency and accountability.

Effective Committee Operations: Develop an operating framework to enhance the effectiveness of committees.

Standard Operating Procedures: Write SOPs for all organizational activities to standardize processes.

Foundation Work 

Future Leaders and Heritage Connection: Focus on initiatives like “Bridge to Heritage” to attract students of Croatian descent interested in studying in Croatia.

Maintain a comprehensive list of available scholarships.

Establish a Croatian Schools Committee to support diverse educational institutions across the U.S.

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