SENEME
SouthEastern New England Marine Educators

A regional chapter of the National Marine Educators Association

 

SENEME Strategic Plan Meeting

We are looking for feedback from our members about the future of SENEME!!

If you have a few seconds please read the notes from the SENEME Strategic Planning Meeting.  If you have any comments, suggestions or ideas e-mail them to us: senemeboard@seneme.org

Thank You!

Project Oceanology
September 9, 2006

 Lauren Rader, Diana Payne, Amy Ferland, Trina Barrett, Candice Kotlik,
Christine Kirch, Kathy Howard, Donna Dione, Thaxter Tewksbury 

• Where have we been? – evaluating the past
• Where are we going? – mission/vision statement
• Assessing the environment – SWOT
• Strategy Development

 Direction for the future – money, people, leadership/ bring in more members, more leaders, stability

 History 

• August 1983 – CT and RI
• 1984 – first conference with 27 attendees
• 1987 – hosted National Conference
• 1989 – big shift in leadership (Pres/Vice-pres resigned; new Pres = Thaxter)
• 2002 – hosted National Conference; provided national spotlight on chapter
• Outreach in RI has been weak
• Currently strong support from institutions
• Membership most of MS/HS teachers
• Membership fluctuates every 2 years after LISEC
• Positives:
  • High membership
  • Strong leadership
  • Solvent
• Concerns/Instabilities:
  • New leadership needed
  • New members wanted
    • Rhode Island
    • Science Centers/Informal Educators
    • College students/Pre-service teachers
  • Maintain current members
  • SENEME members to become National members
  • $$ - not to have to borrow
  • $$ - more resources
  • State and National Frameworks – water not included
  • Member activities – new/when/what/how
  • Communications – marketing/public relations

 Non-negotiable

• Administrative Structure
• Relationship between chapter and National organization
• Financial support

Vision, Mission and Operational Philosophy

 Vision – how the world will be improved, changed, different if SENEME is successful

 Mission – the purpose of the organization, the business, service/activities, reflection of fundamental values and beliefs

 Core Values – central institutional values, beliefs the organization has about itself, principles that guide the work

 Functional Areas – areas that focus the activities of the organization

 SENEME Vision Statement

• To create a society of empowered citizens who will make a difference in the world of water.

 SENEME Mission Statement

• To develop an appreciation and stewardship for the world of water by supporting both freshwater and marine environmental education.

 SENEME Core Values

1.      Disseminating Knowledge and Resources
2.      Facilitation
3.      Foster Partnerships
4.      Transparency
5.      Teamwork
6.      Creativity
7.      Fun

 SENEME Functional Areas

1. Education
2. Science
3. Outreach
4. Administration

 SENEME Geographical Areas

1. Connecticut
2. Rhode Island

SWOT Assessment

Strengths   Money Membership Leadership Partnerships What we do, we do well Connections – Sea Grant, NMEA, Project Oceanology Strength Fun Work well together Creative Strong core membership US Ocean Commission Report Ocean Literacy

Weaknesses   Leadership More members desired Diversity of members desired Greater participation of members desired Fluctuations in membership Funding/financial support Lack of publicity Rhode Island Lack of freshwater representation Board needs further development Lack of chapter members that are National members Lack of knowledge of member needs/wants/desires More members active on committees desired Rhode Island Sea Grant

Scope of Themes

 What does SENEME as an organization want to focus on for services?

1.      Education

2.      Funding

3.      Membership

4.      Partnerships

5.      Public Relations

Strategic Goal

·         To develop an appreciation and stewardship for the world of water through education and a stable, energized organization

Objectives, Strategies/Activities 

1. Education
   1. Goal – To create a water-literate society
   2. Strategies/Activities

                                                              i.      Conferences

                                                            ii.      Publications

                                                          iii.      Newsletter

                                                          iv.      Website

                                                            v.      Resources dissemination of partner materials

                                                          vi.      Lectures/seminars

                                                        vii.      Scientific lectures

                                                      viii.      Influence policy-makers on science education

                                                          ix.      Student events/career workshops

                                                            x.      Rhode Island-based activities

                                                          xi.      Elementary events

                                                        xii.      Target pre-service teachers

2. Funding
   1. Goal – To establish stable and diverse funding to support the organization and it’s activities
   2. Strategies/Activities

                                                              i.      Increase income from membership

                                                            ii.      Seek funding from private sector

                                                          iii.      Expand and diversify fundraising activities

                                                          iv.      Seek funding from public/government sources

                                                            v.      Obtain 501(c)3 status

                                                          vi.      Providing people/organizations ways to give money

                                                        vii.      Financial management procedures

                                                      viii.      Training/workshop on fund raising

                                                          ix.      Sponsorships

3. Membership
   1. Goal – To increase membership and active participation and cultivate leadership for the organization
   2. Strategies/Activities

                                                              i.      To inform membership on purpose and function of SENEME

                                                            ii.      To undertake needs assessment (in person, web, mail)

                                                          iii.      Target Rhode Island, Western and inland Connecticut w/ workshops and lectures

                                                          iv.      More aggressive individual recruitment

                                                            v.      Individual recruitment of new leaders

                                                          vi.      More aggressive recruitment of pre-service teachers

                                                        vii.      Create/highlight incentives (networking, core values, workshops/training, access to facilities, discounts)

                                                      viii.      More regular training/workshops for members

                                                          ix.      Diversify leadership

                                                            x.      Tap into interests/talents of membership

4. Partnerships
   1. Goal – To develop and strengthen partnerships to better serve the organization and it’s members
   2. Strategies/Activities

                                                              i.      Identify organizations with similar values or missions to become partners

                                                            ii.      Identify benefits of partnerships

                                                          iii.      Maintain continuity of membership/leadership with and within existing partners

                                                          iv.      Conduct needs assessment with new and existing partnerships

                                                            v.      Develop guidelines to clarify partnerships

                                                          vi.      Develop strategies for communication with other organizations

                                                        vii.      Assessment of how SENEME is perceived by range of organizations

5. Public Relations
   1. Goal – To increase awareness of the organization
   2. Strategies/Activities

                                                              i.      Better publicize activities (print media, web)

                                                            ii.      Public relations position in organization

                                                          iii.      Better distribution of brochure

                                                          iv.      More exhibit tables and presenters at events

                                                            v.      Keep website updated

                                                          vi.      Conduct needs assessment of current strategies

                                                        vii.      Provide budget for public relations

                                                      viii.      Identify current events that SENEME could highlight (LIS Day, World Oceans Day)

                                                          ix.      Participate in university events