A SWOT analysis is a tool used by organizations to assess their internal Strengths and Weaknesses, along with external Opportunities and Threats. It helps leaders make informed decisions by identifying what’s working well, what challenges exist, and where there’s potential for growth or risk. For Activate Selma, gathering this kind of feedback is especially valuable because it gives voice to the community, highlights areas of impact, and reveals where the organization can focus its energy to make the biggest difference. This kind of input ensures our mission stays aligned with our community!
At our Activate Selma meeting on Wed. May 28 at Old North State Food Hall, at the conclusion of our meeting we had all attendees take 5 minutes to fill out the SWOT analysis giving top-of-mind feedback on 2 Strengths, 2 Weaknesses, 2 Opportunities and 2 Threats.
After that, we opened up an online form and encouraged more feedback through June 22.
Activate Selma Secretary Mike Jentes led the presentation on key takeaways from our Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, and Threats (SWOT) survey, and then opened the floor for a group discussion of insights, takeaways, and next-level suggestions.
Copies of the presentation are available here:
Three initiatives were proposed in the discussion to strengthen our community-building efforts, all relying on the involvement of volunteers:
Create a volunteer social media team. This team would help bridge the gaps in our current communication efforts, while also alleviating the burnout experienced by existing volunteers.
Engage with isolated or underserved groups. Reach out to individuals and organizations who feel disconnected or are unsure how to engage as shareholders in the Selma community. This would involve volunteers visiting local businesses and nonprofits to listen and gather their feedback.
Organize low-cost, high-impact events. Develop and/or encourage simple, small, inclusive events that celebrate the diverse cultural contributions of our community. Examples include the upcoming mini-blues concert in Art Out Loud Park on August 2, the Three Kings Fiesta returning to Selma on January 4, 2026, and the proposed potluck community dinner on a closed-off street after hours.
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We will continue the conversation on July 9, 2025, at our regularly scheduled Activate Selma meeting on Wednesday at 9 am at the Harrison Center for Activate Aging (611 West Noble Street, Selma, NC 27576).
