Step 7: Implement Plan
Your action plan clearly sets
out the tasks that need to be done and who has been assigned
to carry them out. You want to make sure that the action plan
you’ve worked so hard on is going to be followed, but you
are also aware that many of the people who are involved in
your initiative are volunteering their time and energy. How
can you make it easier for members of your group to get things
done? Here are some helpful hints:
Circulate the plan
Give written copies of the
action plan to all members of your group, with clear timelines
attached. This way they will be able to refer to it when
they need to, and they’ll also be able to provide you
with feedback on the plan.
Keep in touch
Call them regularly to ask
how they’re doing with their tasks. The call will be much
more effective if it’s supportive, rather than demanding,
in tone. The person calling can offer some emotional support
as well as see if the group member needs any other assistance.
This type of friendly call can be helpful in several ways:
it can give the member the sense that he or she is an
important part of the group, and it can serve to gently
remind that person to do what they agreed to do.
Report regularly
Ask members to report on
accomplishing the tasks that they have set out to do.
This could become a regular, and valuable, part of your
group meetings. Together the group can brainstorm ideas
about how to overcome the barriers that certain members
are encountering in trying to accomplish their tasks.
Celebrate!
Make sure to recognize and
celebrate the accomplishments of your group. Keep track
of what (and how well) you’ve done.
This chapter summarizes information
found in the Community Tool Box, Part D. Developing a Strategic
Plan, Organizational Structure, and Training System, Chapters
8-12 which address the planning process in more detail. You
can find these resources on-line at: http://ctb.lsi.ukans.edu/tools/EN/part_1004.htm.
|
