The UPA Board of Directors held its triennial Strategic Planning Retreat on July 28 and 29, 2001 in Boulder, Colorado. A facilitator helped us craft a Mission Statement, a Vision Statement, a Values Statement, and a Charter, while touching on some of the strategic plans and decisions. These should provide guidance to the Administration and to each of us as players, organizers, and UPA members as to how we should act on and off the field.

"What is Ultimate?" was one of the topics we discussed. The UPA umbrella is broad but shouldn't cover every disc-related sport. One key factor that defines ultimate is that the players need to be the ones in control, even if it's a professional league, even if there are referees, even if it's played on sand with 4 players to a team. The formal definition we came up with was "Player defined and controlled non-contact team sport played with a flying disc on a playing surface with end zones in which all actions are governed by the 'Spirit of the Game.'"

We also looked at the key issues facing the UPA and which ones could have the greatest impact and those that have the most immediate impact. After ranking them, we decided that the three topics requiring a specific strategic plan and which Administration needs to focus more on are Juniors, Sponsorship, and Information Technology.

The UPA serves as the governing body of the sport of Ultimate in the US. Our Mission Is:To promote and support the sport of Ultimate and its players. To increase participation in the sport of Ultimate at all levels. To uphold the Spirit of the Game including personal responsibility and integrity. To provide a framework for players to organize and conduct competition and other activities related to Ultimate.

Vision Statement - A statement of what you would look like doing your mission - perfectly

We the players of Ultimate are recognized as athletic and honorable competitors. Our community is based on mutual respect and cooperation both on and off the field. Our events are fun and well run. By providing structure and information, we make it easy to organize and play ultimate. As players we have the freedom to make our sport whatever we dream it to be.

Values Statement - A statement defining the values required and honored by the organization. It also defines those values that will not be tolerated.

The sport of Ultimate depends on passion, dedication and hard work. We value honesty, integrity, tolerance and fun. We honor and respect athleticism, sportsmanship and teamwork. We recognize the importance of competition as it encourages the development of skills and character in both individuals and teams.

We discourage acts that hurt the sport of Ultimate and will not tolerate excessive on-field violence, abusive behavior and blatant disrespect of others.

Player defined and controlled non-contact team sport played with a flying disc on a playing surface with end zones in which all actions are governed by the "Spirit of the Game."

Charter Statement - A statement defining what has to change to reach your vision. This serves as an authorization for members of the organization to drive positive change.

We, individually and as a group, must take an active role to ensure the success of events and the UPA. As we strive to achieve our vision we will: