Orientation October 15, 2003 Atlanta

T he Intermediary Network is a group of leading education and workforce development organizations working together to ensure student success by making connections among schools, communities and workplace partners.

N etwork members recognize that our schools can’t do it alone. Intermediaries pave the way for dedicated partners to make strategic connections and realize common goals.

Key Dates and Decisions in Our History

Four broad phases Project Transition Independent Network Planning Independent Network

Project Phase: October 1998 – March 2000 Central component of the School-to- Work Intermediary Project Functions defined, tools developed Sites apply and are selected for membership Technical assistance, training and support Local strategic planning Project research

Transition Phase: March 2000 – June 2001 Network members take an active role in shaping priorities and activities Work groups inform policy development, data and evaluation Plan gatherings of the Network Partners provide guidance, technical assistance and management support.

Independent Network Planning Phase: June 2001 – April 2002 Network ownership of strategic agenda to ensure Network sustainability Network Leadership committee develops draft business plan Network members contribute dollars to support the plan’s development Network members help plan events New Ways and JFF provide support

Independent Network Phase: April Present Network launched with the support of 26 members Business Plan, Budget, Marketing Plan adopted Workgroups formalized Annual Work plan adopted New Ways provides support as facilitating partner

Network Activities Network Gatherings Spring Institute, April 2002, Cincinnati Leadership Meeting, July 2002, Palm Springs Leadership Forum, October 2002, Chicago Annual Spring Institute, April 2003, New Orleans Annual Leadership Forum, October 2003, Atlanta

Network Activities Work groups Leadership Committee Marketing and Membership Data and Evaluation Resource and Policy Ad hoc in key content areas

Management Organization Structure Leadership Committee: Site leads plus New Ways and JFF Chair and fiscal agent: Boston PIC Facilitating partner: New Ways Research and policy support: JFF and KTC

Orientation October, 2003 Atlanta

Business Description National peer network of intermediary organizations Mission: Connect organizations in order to: Share best practices Provide learning opportunities Ensure long term sustainability

Business Description Objectives: Strengthen intermediaries Represent collective voice Promote importance of intermediary work Further define intermediary functions Membership Standards: Perform at lest two of the four functions Aspire to perform all four Peer review of self-assessment

Market Description Potential members: Former School-to-Work Partnerships Youth Councils Chambers of Commerce Expansion plan: Recruitment Peer assessment

Product Descriptions Collective Policy Voice Leadership and staff development  community of organizational leaders  network contacts, facilitated meetings and conference calls

Product Descriptions Technical assistance, information and tools  Referral to peer advice in targeted areas  Connection to emerging information and practice  State-of-the-art graphic charts and process tools

Product Descriptions Revenue potential  consultant or technical assistance revenue from new sites  cross community demonstration projects  major national or federal initiatives

Sales & Marketing Plan Branding and logo development Market research (new members) Marketing plan Letterhead, brochure, web site