COORDINATED PLANNING COUNCIL
OPERATING AGREEMENT

The Mission/Vision of CR

The Redwoods Community College District has a commitment both to our students and to our community.  We are committed to maximizing the success of each student with the expectation that each student will meet her or his educational goal, achieve appropriate learning outcomes in his/her courses and programs, and develop an appreciation for life-long learning.  In partnership with other local agencies, we are also committed to enriching the economic vitality of the community whom we serve. 

1.         Scope and Activities

The Coordinated Planning Council is a standing committee that coordinates the college’s strategic plan by:

      Scope:

• Lead the collegial consultative process to create, modify, and review the district’s mission and vision statements and strategic plan goals and objectives.
• Make Recommendations for resource allocation to the Budget Planning Committee.
• Monitoring the progress towards the completion of college strategic goals and objectives
• Establishing ad-hoc committees essential to strategic planning implementation
• Plays a central role in coordinating and integrating planning activities including but not limited to, educational and facilities master plans, diversity and student equity, staffing, CTEA, technology, research, basic skills, and enrollment management.

      Activities:

• Developing and maintaining a handbook
• Establishing guidelines and timelines
• Initiating and participating in the development of external/internal scans
• Analyzing external and internal scan data to establish priorities
• Analyzing work unit Action Plans
• Establishing effective communication processes
• Creating progress reports
• Evaluating the strategic planning process

2.         Membership

The Coordinated Planning Council include a cross sectional representation of employee groups as well as student representatives (if identified).  The Council will be led by two Co-Chairs—Vice President of Learning and Student Development and a faculty member. Members are expected to serve a 2-3 year term to provide consistency among council membership and will include: 

• VP LSD—Co-Chair
• Faculty—Co-Chair appointed by the Academic Senate
• BSI Coordinator
• 2 Students appointed by ASCR
• 2 Classified staff selected by the VP LSD in consultation with the CSEA President
• Directors: Del Norte & Mendocino Coast
• Institutional Research Director
• 2 Academic Directors or Chairs selected by the VP LSD
• 2 Student Services Staff selected by the VP LSD
• 2 Faculty appointed by the Academic Senate
• 2 Administrative Services selected by the VP LSD
• Title III Activities Director (ex officio until September, 2010)

3.         Meetings

Meetings will be set by consensus process but will be conducted a minimum of ten times each academic year from August through May.  The regular monthly meeting calendar for the academic year will be set at the first meeting in August; additional meetings will be set as necessary to ensure that planning work is completed according to the planning cycle timeline. 

The Coordinated Planning Council meeting agendas will be posted on Blackboard in advance of each meeting.

The Coordinated Planning Council meetings will be open to anyone to attend.

4.         Decision Making Process

The membership shall be collaborative, be respectful of other members and differing points of view, and consider the college and community as a whole.  Discussions will be based on data, not personal opinions and anecdotal information.

The Coordinated Planning Team will make decisions based on consensus.

5.         Communication

The Coordinated Planning Council will develop effective communication to ensure proper functioning of the group through the following:

• Posting on Blackboard as necessary
• Agendas and minutes
• Documents
• Reports
• Discussion board

The Coordinated Planning Council will also develop effective communication within the campus and community through the following:

• The CR Website
• E-mail
• College and community forums and presentations
• College news release

6.         Planning Process Outcomes

The Coordinated Planning Council will:

• Provide leadership during the process of development of the strategic plan.
• Monitor institutional progress toward accomplishing the strategic goals and strategies identified within the strategic plan.
• Participate in the process of conducting internal and external environmental scanning.
• Make Data informed recommendations for resource allocation to support the strategic plan.
• Ensure that assessment is an integral part of planning.