OBA Change Management Plan
The Old Barker Association (OBA), with over 18,000 members, is a premier alumni association for ex-students of Barker College. The OBA provides a free counselling service known as the Support for Life (S4L) program, offering mental health support to members and their families. The current face-to-face service is limited in accessibility and reach.
Our Case for Change
The shift from face-to-face to an online counselling service was necessary to ensure broader accessibility for all OBA members across Australia. This transition aimed to:
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Increase availability and convenience.
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Include specialised counselling services in areas like substance abuse and financial stress.
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Utilise the existing budget more effectively by reducing overhead costs.
Click PDF for
OBA Change Management
Plan
Change Approach
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Creating a Sense of Urgency
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Highlighted the limitations of the current service.
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Communicated the necessity of the change to members, focusing on inclusivity.
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Building a Guiding Coalition
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Empowered the S4L Subcommittee to lead the change.
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Engaged stakeholders and secured support from the membership base.
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Forming a Strategic Vision
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Developed a vision for a universally accessible online counselling service by September 2023.
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Collaborated with the guiding coalition to refine this vision.
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Communicating the Vision
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Used various platforms like email, social media, and OBA events to disseminate the vision.
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Developed a communications strategy to manage resistance.
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Removing Obstacles
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Addressed concerns of existing face-to-face service users.
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Designed a flexible transition strategy, retaining some face-to-face services initially.
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Creating Short-Term Wins
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Secured an online service provider and funding by June 2023.
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Launched the rebranded S4L program by July 2023.
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Consolidating Gains
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Increased awareness and uptake of the new service.
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Regularly engaged with the new service provider and showcased successes.
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Anchoring Change
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Implemented continuous evaluation and feedback mechanisms.
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Ensured the change was embedded within the OBA’s strategic planning.
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Stakeholder Engagement Plan
The success of the change hinged on effective stakeholder engagement. Key actions included:
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Regular updates to the OBA board.
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Direct engagement with members who have used the face-to-face service.
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Broad communication to ensure all members are informed and involved in the transition process.
Change Impact Assessment
The impact of the change is evaluated continuously to ensure the online service meets the needs of all members. Success indicators included increased access and satisfaction with the counselling services.