Assessment of Institutional Support

All of our Leadership Team agrees that support from Institutional Staff was excellent in every way. Support was provided by the Institution in two ways, one tangible and one intangible. Many of these support elements were tangible. It came from various departments performing specific tasks. Ray Downey designed the new logo and Jordan Steves managed the email recruitment soliciting new facilitators. James Freay provided both print services and supplies. Michael Earle engaged our leadership team to learn about the program and video taped two sessions at AAHH to use during the off-season promotion of the Institution. Across the board, Staff did everything they could to make the Dialogues a success.

Also tangible was the senior staff support. Primary support was provided by Maureen Rovegno, Amit Taneja and Mellisa Spas. One or more senior staff attended our Monday Facilitators Lunch at Hurlbut Church each week. They always welcomed the Facilitators, told them about the Institution’s support for and commitment to the Dialogues. Staff also provided appropriate assistance in answering questions that dealt with larger issues and concerns.

• Staff was instrumental in promotion of the Dialogues. Signs for every venue were provided and proved very beneficial in promoting the Dialogues and identifying the host venues.

• Staff agreed during the season to several important initiatives including sign-ups before and after lectures on the Plaza at the AMP.

• Staff enhanced the presence of the Dialogues on the Institution website.

• Staff supported a trial registration system using QR codes.

• Staff was receptive to requests for additional promotion with display ads in the Daily on a regular basis.

• High quality facilitator “badges” were provided by the Institution and facilitators were encouraged to wear them throughout the week. This had the effect of acknowledging the facilitators and invited the public to engage them with questions about the program.

• Staff announced the Dialogues at all 10:45 and 2:00 Lectures and had a video slide about the Dialogues running before the 10:45.

• Staff arranged for a feature article in the Daily.

• CHQ Dialogues was invited to participate in the five Sunday Community Group Fairs on Bestor Plaza. Numerous Facilitators engaged with visitors who sought more information about the program.

• Facilitators were invited and did participate in special diversity training by Amit

Taneja, Chief Diversity Oficer of the Institution.

The intangible was the afirmation and encouragement provided by Staff.

• Preseason, Maureen and Amit worked diligently with the Dialogues leadership to define what could be done to make the Dialogues more relevant and more visible.

The results during the season were evident. Many Chautauquans expressed renewed interest in the program and lauded the commitment of the Institution. President,

Michael Hill made specific reference to the Dialogues in both his opening and closing 3 Taps presentations. He also provided a welcome letter to all facilitators at the beginning of the season.

• Staff members who were not directly involved with the Dialogues made a specific point of telling us how much they supported the program.