A- Description of Strategic Planning Process Used
B- Strategic Analysis Data (External Analysis, Internal Analysis & SWOT interplay)
C- Proposed responsibilities for leadership positions
Organizational Profile
Free IT Athens was formed in September 2005 by Semmy Purewal, Mike Luchtan, Michael Moore, and Bob Ware, and became an affiliate of Common Ground in November 2005.
Free IT Athens began holding open hours at Common Ground in November 2005 and started providing services to other 501c3 organizations between November 2005 and May 2006.
Current programs include earning a free computer for 12 hours of volunteer time, providing refurbished computers to other 501c3 organizations, offering computers to families with children for $25, and recycling computer parts that can not be used.
Over 100 documented hours of volunteer service in less than a year
Recycled over 3 tons of unusable materials
Over 30 computers have been returned into the community
Goals are identified from having taken a wide look around the outside of the organization (an external analysis) and careful look inside the nonprofit (an internal analysis), and then identifying what are the most important issues to address. Appendix C includes information to organize this analysis.
Goal # 1 Advocate for free and open technology for individuals and community organizations in the Athens-Clarke county area.
Strategy # 1.1 Hold open hours for technical support that are free to those who use open software.
|
Objectives for Strategy 1.1 |
Date of Completion |
Responsibility |
Status and Date |
|
Begin holding open hours twice a week with two people at each session. |
end of August |
Brian |
|
|
Set up Google calendar in order to list Open Hours opportunities. |
end of August |
|
|
|
Create volunteer mailing list. |
end of August |
|
|
|
Pool volunteers and get their schedules. |
end of August |
|
|
|
Find a more suitable space for Open Hours. |
Ongoing |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
Objectives for Strategy 1.2 |
Date of Completion |
Responsibility |
Status and Date |
|
Distinguish between two classes: "general sales" and "computers for kids." |
|
|
|
|
Inventory database, so that inventorying can be an ongoing task. Communicate new inventory system with CG volunteers. |
|
|
|
|
Set aside specific space for sales in Common Ground. |
end of August |
|
|
|
Set up community wide sales event. (flea market style sale) |
last week in November |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Strategy # 1.3 Improve communication with the organizational recipients of previous donations.
|
Objectives for Strategy 1.3 |
Date of Completion |
Responsibility |
Status and Date |
|
Make contact list. |
end of August |
|
|
|
Contact one organization every month.
|
beginning in August/ September |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Goal # 2 Improve organizational structure and encourage growth.
Strategy# 2.1 Create an involved and knowledgeable volunteer base and an active Board of Directors.
|
Objectives for Strategy 2.1 |
Date of Completion |
Responsibility |
Status and Date |
|
Compose a board of 5 to 7 active members |
January 2009 |
|
|
|
Agree upon and approve bylaws. |
end of February 2009 |
|
|
| Hold meetings with CS, MIS, and ATC students in order to recruit new volunteers. | Late August early September |
|
|
|
Hold monthly staff meetings |
September |
|
|
|
Create leadership positions, i.e. Volunteer Coordinator and Business Coordinator. |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Strategy # 2.2 Improve the organization's public image and visibility.
|
Objectives for Strategy 2 2.2 |
Date of Completion |
Responsibility |
Status and Date |
| Keep website updated |
Ongoing |
|
|
|
Create a logo |
end of September |
|
|
|
Pursue press attention |
Ongoing |
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
|
| |
|
|
|
Two organizational meeting were held in which Free IT members discussed issues facing the organization and ways to improve Free IT's programs and structure.
Free IT members Brian Pitts, Shelby Funk, Clint Ricker, Anthony Hamlet, and Mark Huguet were heavily involved in the planning process. Free It interns Davis Powell and Katie Manthey and Common Ground staff members Andrew Hunt and Jenna Moon also assisted.
any major problems and lessons learned during the planning proces.
Strategic analysis includes taking a careful look at the external environment and the internal environment of the organization, and then identifying any critical issues or priorities from this analyses. It is from these priorities that strategic goals often are identified.
Opportunities for the organization:
-MIS/CS students as interns or volunteers.
-Space with BikeAthens.
-Athens Tech council (city)/funding.
-OneAthens.
-Publicity.
-Athens Tech (college)
Threats facing the organization:
-Common Ground moving current space.
-Transient volunteer population.
-Unpredictable income.
Strengths of the organization:
-Knowledgeable people.
-Access to surplus parts and computers from the community.
-Good overall goal/ benefits everyone.
Weaknesses of the organization:
-Lack of execution and follow through.
-Work space and storage.
-Reoccurring volunteers and work flows.
-Timidity towards growth.
-Direction of volunteer tasks.
-Structure/ Order Charge.
Invest
-Pursue/recruit potential volunteers out of the MIS/CS department and Athens Tech. Hold information/ Q&A sessions.
-Fund raising through grants, OneAthens, and local businesses.
-Create Standard operating procedures.
-Hand trucks!
-Making FRITA viable volunteer spot for high schoolers.
Decide
-On a new logo.
-To pursue media attention or not (decision: yes).
-Structure.
-Time frame for changes to Tier 2 sponsorship level with CG.
-Time frame for moving.
Defend
-Against transient population.
-Solution: volunteers train replacements.
-Define roles and responsibilities.
-Approach businesses for fiscal and computer donations.
Damage Control
-Long term retention of volunteers.
-Maintaining open communication with CG regarding space.
-keeping books
-recording incoming cash donations
-applying for 501c3
-manage sales and inventory
-keeping correspondence with previous donations
-proposed term of 1 year
Volunteer Coordinator
-organizing volunteers
-allocating tasks
-scheduling and coordinating workdays
-updating website
-proposed term of 1 year