New Program Development – "Adventures in Reading"

On 4/18/06 TelecomPioneers received a unanimous vote to proceed with a new program tentatively titled, "Adventures in Reading," developed by the Center for Applied Special Technology (CAST).

It is an engaging, multicultural and multimedia program delivered through the web, on CD, and in print, that builds literacy skills and engages students in learning to read using science content.  Targeted for 4 – 5^{th grade students, it uses traditional folktales from diverse world cultures to provide a richly supported reading environment integrated with information about natural science.} 

The TelecomPioneers Education Committee, as well as other Pioneers, believes that the printed book will address the needs and wishes of the "non-technical" pioneers and the web-based delivery tool will increase interest from "tech-savvy" and potentially young, new members. 

 C AST’s solution is scheduled to be complete in the beginning of 2007.  TelecomPioneers would launch the Educational Technology program at the 2007 Annual Meeting, giving the first part of the year for Pioneers to learn and communicate the program for release in the fall.  Training on this program would also be available at the Annual Meeting.

 The program development costs will be paid out of the board approved 30% distribution of the direct mail funds for new product development initiatives. 

Roles and responsibilities of an “Adventures in Reading” Group Coordinator include, but are not limited to:

1. Serves as liaison between the group members, the Group VP and the TelecomPioneers headquarters.  Represents the position of the whole group.
   1. Completes training, participates in monthly conference calls facilitated by the Association (these will take place on a regular scheduled basis during the work week sometime between 8 – 3 Mountain Time.)
   2. TCP’s 1^st point of contact w/in the group for questions, comments, etc.
   3. Assists the PM in training, creating and facilitating breakout sessions, etc. (if needed at the Annual Meeting.)
   4. Provides feedback as requested through development and testing, is actively hands on with the project.
   5. Other administrative and miscellaneous duties as requested (providing information to TCP, referring leads to specific group contacts, possible group inventory control, etc.)
       
2. Establishes and supervises a Group Team of Chapter/Council/Club Project Leaders, identifying their purpose and responsibilities.
   1. Organizes and facilitates monthly group conference calls w/ group project leaders.
   2. Communicates the group’s activity, state of the program and other important information back to the PM as well as the group VP and leaders on the group’s monthly conference calls.
   3. Ensures that communications are consistent and effectively communicated throughout the group from Chapter to Councils to Clubs.
   4. Provide guidance, support, encouragement, answers questions, and provides training (if needed) to the Chapter/Council/Club leaders and other volunteers.
   5. Encourages the group’s volunteers to feel free to request the Coordinator’s assistance as needed.
   6. Actively markets the project w/in the group as well as outside organizations.
   7. Tracks and resolves risks/issues w/in the group which impact program delivery.
   8. Encourages and assists chapter officers, newsletter editors and other appropriate personnel in arranging publicity and promotion for the program, including the recognition of individual participating volunteers.
   9. Maintains all important documents on file including the meeting minutes, reference guide, brochures, etc. to provide to the field upon request.

Once the details of the program timeline and deliverables are finalized, TCP will have a better understanding of the coordinators duties and time requirement to this program.  TCP sees this as an ongoing project and would like to keep the coordinators in place throughout the program lifecycle - indefinitely.  During the first year there will be a high group coordinator time requirement as we develop, test, produce, roll out, market and train volunteers.  TCP anticipates this person may need to dedicate an average of approximately 6 hours per month on this project for the first year and a half with the time lessening as the program is integrated across the groups.