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the etowah initiative:
spring 2003
Abstract The Upper Etowah River Alliance organized in 1997 by students in a former Etowah Practicum class is now seeking our assistance in creating a better infrastructure in which it can better raise funds and hire personnel. Due to a lack of substantial financial resources, the Alliance has been unable to mobilize the community within which it works. Furthermore the transient nature within the Alliance's internal structure as was evidenced by the recent personnel changes signifies its need for innovative measures. Project members on my team are willing to accept the challenge of providing a solution to the Alliance's lack of stability and fragmented infrastructure by finding a pool of candidates from which they can employ staff persons and constructing a fundraising strategy within which employees may be most effective. Because the project is multi-faceted, we divided the responsibilities among the group members in order to meet the client's expectations more fully. Here is a break down of the activities. Our contact person, Tucker Pollard will meet with the client and communicate with them throughout the duration of our work on the project. She will assist them in defining the parameters of our project to best suit their needs and ours with the limited time we have to meet their expectations. On February 28, 2003 she will present a questionnaire of all the gaps we have encountered thus far and try to fill them or obtain direction in doing so. In addition to filling in the gaps of uncertainties, Tucker will also consult with the client on an ongoing basis to ensure that they are privy to the measures taken in their interest, approve of such measures and when necessary she will persuade the client's if we find that there are other feasible alternatives. In structuring a plan that is most effective, I (Makia Metzger) have created a mini questionnaire with possible outcomes based on the information we currently have or desire. Some of the questions asked include the amount of fundraising required per annum, the current level of funding, and the number of demonstration sites the client accomplishes per year and the cost. This list is not exclusive of all the inquiries we will present to the client during our first meeting. I have contacted directors at Americorps and the A. L. Burruss Institute of Public Service at Kennesaw State University regarding the recruitment of a staff person. In addition, I shall be responsible for compiling all the data received by Tucker from the client and the data from our research efforts to create an employee's manual. This suggestion was made at the February 14th presentation, and our team decided that it could be a very useful tool for incoming employees. The manual will consist of several sections containing contact information, types of project, etc., and any other information the client thinks useful. The manual will have a fundraising for dummies section, which is the brainchild of Katrina Landau. Because the UERA is still in the process of obtaining the 501 (c) 3 status, Katrina will research or provide the websites most useful in applying for grants. She will also furnish generic proposal letters and a how to apply for grants in order to assist the Alliance in building a better case when applying for such grants. There is a twist in this process because if the Alliance obtains its non-profit status before the end of the semester, Katrina may actually be able to apply for some grants on their behalf. In conclusion, our goal is to provide a framework within which any talented
employee for any duration of time can work effectively to meet the goals
of the UERA. By networking with institutions and other organizations the
Alliance can bring more talent and stability to its core and by providing
a safety net through manual instructions, interns will be prepared and
better able to address the needs of the Alliance. We hope to bring in
a pool of qualified individuals and furnish them with the tools to mobilize
the community into more directed action, satisfactory results and sustain
and improve the effectiveness of the Alliance. Draft Work Plan (MS Word) Action Plan (MS
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