The Rosetta Stone Foundation Executive Strategy
Vision We imagine a world where language learning strengthens cultural diversity and enables intercultural understanding
Mission To enable intercultural communication and understanding To restore language fluency in endangered language communities
Structure Director of Development – Responsible for field programs and strategic partnership management Grant Writer – Manages grant programs, development of proposals, and campaigns
Stewardship Design Principles Balance Interdependence Regeneration Diversity Succession Source: Anhony E. Smith 2010, Stewardship Design Principles
Balance Creating balance in communities by dismantling communication barriers and empowering people with a sharing of voices. Managing the balance between mission and financial sustainability.
Interdependence Those who act have a responsibility to others
Regeneration Cross-cultural communication Preservation of language and cultural heritage Peace building Economic stimulation
Diversity Adaptive Capacity Compete Collaborate Resilience
Succession One language lost about every two weeks. Challenge becomes stimulating cross-cultural communication while preserving community heritage.
Memorandum of Agreement Strategic driver Potential stake in heart
What will Rosetta Stone offer? Cash problematic In kind contributions
Other funding sources? “Newer plants” pollinated by multiple species (Meisel, 2010) Diversified funding adds stability and prevents mission from being changed by a leering sponsor
Handling unexpected success Overwhelming success means change. Change scares people. People discount unexpected success like they avoid discussing succession RSF should make a plan to capitalize on this source of innovation if given the opportunity
Surviving Growth Capital needs during periods of growth often greater than during startup period Need superb financial management MOA should clarify whether or not RSF will provide assistance with financial planning
Earned Income RSF Business Plan – Licenses – Non-profit Intermediary
Earned Income Partner Groups and Financial Support Sliding Scale System
Sliding Scale
Earned Income Collaborative Partnerships Sponsorship Opportunities
Innovation “Weak or missing link”* “Clear definition of objective”* Position Creation Forwarding mission to unmet needs » *Drucker 1985
Sources Used Dallas, J. May Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to _id=_15454_1 Drucker, P Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Harper & Row: New York. Feldmann, D. and Sternberg, D. (January 29, 2009). Development Director or Not: When Should We Hire a DoD? Retrieved from Green, A. May Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to _id=_15454_1 Laszlo, C Sustainable Value. Stanford University Press: California. May, T. May Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to _id=_15454_1 _id=_15454_1http://foundationcenter.org/pnd/tsn/tsn.jhtml?id= _id=_15454_1 _id=_15454_1
Sources Used Meisel, M. Personal Communication, Shenandoah National Park Field Trip. May 22, Oster, S. (Ed.) Generating and Sustaining Nonprofit Earned Income. Jossey- Bass: California. Palmer, G. May RSF [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to course.pl?course_id=_15454_1 Reed, S. May Rosetta Stone Foundation [Discussion Board Memo]. Message posted to course.pl?course_id=_15454_1 Rosetta Stone Foundation Business Plan. Accessed May 2010 via course.pl?course_id=_15454_1 Smith, A Stewardship Design Principles. course.pl?course_id=_15454_1 course.pl?course_id=_15454_1 course.pl?course_id=_15454_1