Program of Work (POW) An Organization’s Roadmap to Success!

The POW is  A document which defines the organization goals.  An outline of the steps needed to meet these goals.  A written guide that allows members, administrators, alumni, advisory committee members and others to know and understand the activities of the organization

The POW will:  Help ensure that state, chapters, and individual member needs are met.  Give ownership to the state, chapters, and students.  Provide continuity year to year.  Assist in the development of a budget.

The POW will: (cont.)  Provide planning experience.  Develop leadership skills.  Foster a sense of community involvement and pride.  Encourage the development of problem- solving skills.  Develop goal setting skills

Simply stated the POW is:  A record of WHAT is going to be of done  WHO is going to do it  WHEN it is going to be done  WHERE it will happen  WHY it is happening  HOW it will be done  HOW MUCH it is going to cost.

POW Organization  Organizations build their Program of Work around their committee structure.  Committee structure will depend on:  size of organization  involvement of members  number of activities to complete  State, school and community support

Committee Structure  Standing committees  committees that serve a function from year to year  examples: Community Service, Fundraising  Executive committee  usually consists of the state officers and changes each year  Ad Hoc or Special committees  committees that may meet to plan only one event  examples: Job Fair, Dance

Committee Structure  The Vice President has the responsibility of coordinating all standing committee work.  Officers have the responsibility of coordinating activities, but need not serve as committee chairs.  Members should actively serve on at least one committee.

Committee Structure  Participation in committees should be based on:  member abilities  member interest  member availability  desired representation of student diversity

Developing your POW  Establish Committees  Select Committee members  Committee sets attainable goals  Committee report committee results to membership  Membership adopts or reject committee plan

Brainstorming  Review last year’s POW  Review other states and similar organizations POWs  Organization needs  Membership interests

Write SMART Goals Specific Measurable Attainable Realistic Trackable

Program of Work Action Plan  What is necessary to meet the goal?  Step by step processes  listed in order  clear and detailed  who, what, why, where, when, how, how much

Committee reports  Inform organization of progress made  Provide a system of responsibility  Allow for discussion and ideas  Allow for feedback from members

Final Report  Did the organization meet all of the goals for the activity?  Why or why not  Did the activity stay within budget?  Recommendations for future activities

Completed POW  Should be provided to all members.  Should be approved by all members.  Can be used as an informational tool to parents, administration, school board, advisory committee and others.

Next steps?  Each organization meet as a group and establish state goals!  What activities take place annually within your organization?  What will be the role of the state officer team in these activities.