Conclusion

10. Communications planning y Post district and site newsletters online.

y Use social media to promote environmental tips. y Present the initiative at a board meeting. y Create a “trees saved” thermometer for each school. y Survey stakeholders.

PROPOSAL EXAMPLE B

Embrace a More Environmentally Conscious and Fiscally Responsible Plan to Reduce Paper Usage by 50 Percent

When the CBO finishes an enthusiastic presentation of his innovative proposal to the district management team, he activates the first steps of the tuning protocol A few clarifying questions lead into the heart of the discussion Warm feedback includes excitement about the efforts to redirect funding from paper products to digital tools, the positive impact on the environment, and the recognition that we don’t really need paper in the same way we used to Some of the cooler responses relate to the huge shift required for teachers to change the way they deliver instruction, the potential backlash from office staff who can’t keep their own printers, and concern about equity for students and families without as much technology at home

When consulting team members flesh out these topics further, they suggest modifying the plans by using a phased-in approach Originally, full implementation was supposed to begin in January Upon further dialogue, they agree to roll back the launch to begin only with non-instructional staff Instead of expecting teachers to significantly change their instruction, assessment, and reporting practices mid-year, the initiative will not be fully scaled until August of the following year The organizer accepts these suggestions and tweaks the details of the plan to incorporate the staggered implementation When they debrief the process, the CBO’s enthusiasm is still intact but tempered to approach the implementation more deliberately

After a tuning protocol is complete, the leadership team leader may want to pursue additional conversations with individual team members to tackle some of the cool feedback he or she heard. The goal is to strengthen the underdeveloped parts of the proposal so there are fewer weak links to derail it. While the person spearheading the initiative very likely thinks it should be elevated to one of the most important focuses in the district, he or she must consider environmental readiness and the context for its inclusion. Therefore, carefully reflecting on how this initiative fits in the bigger picture sets the stage for the prioritization part of the protocol.

CONCLUSION

This chapter’s focus on teamwork and the early vetting process is the first foray into the new initiatives process. The leadership team leader, which will change depending