POSSIBLE STEPS IN LONG-RANGE PLANNING
FOR LIFELONG LEARNING INSTITUTES
By: Don Tritschler
Explorers Lifelong Learning Institute of Salem State College
1. Appoint a chairperson to form a planning committee.
2. The committee begins by brainstorming its LLI’s concerns.
3. Identify sources of information, e.g.
• Focus groups
• Exit questionnaires
• Course evaluations
• Other LLIs planning experiences
4. Committee discussions:
• Analyze the issues and look for linkages
among them.
• Investigate the EIN web site to answer
some questions.
• Prioritize issues.
• Winnow the issues.
• Work toward a vision of what your LLI
will be in five to ten years.
5. Include everyone when gathering information (a way to enlist commitment).
• Consult with the board early and along
the way.
• Consult committee chairpersons –
review relevant sections in draft.
• Hold a planning retreat with the board:
ask attendees’ recommendations.
• Hold a “town meeting” before
drafting a final report.
• A SWOT analysis may help (strengths, weaknesses,
opportunities, threats).
6. Reporting the long-range plan:
• Report to the board with a brief background
and analysis of each issue.
• Develop at least one succinct recommendation
for each issue or reject it.
• Keep the number of initiatives to three
or a maximum of four.
7. Urge the board to appoint a person to follow up on each planning item.
• Ask for periodic progress reports from
follow-up committees.
• Continue to keep all planning issues in
members’ minds.
8. Be ready to alter initiatives until the next planning exercise in
five to ten years.
|