Board Blog: Is it that time of year already?

Last Updated on August 19, 2015 by askcbiorg

It is amazing how summer is almost (if not already) just a memory. Students have arrived on my campus for orientation and next week classes start here. If you have not already gathered your ideas, here are some thoughts to help you guide your year ahead.

[fusion_builder_container hundred_percent=”yes” overflow=”visible”][fusion_builder_row][fusion_builder_column type=”1_1″ background_position=”left top” background_color=”” border_size=”” border_color=”” border_style=”solid” spacing=”yes” background_image=”” background_repeat=”no-repeat” padding=”” margin_top=”0px” margin_bottom=”0px” class=”” id=”” animation_type=”” animation_speed=”0.3″ animation_direction=”left” hide_on_mobile=”no” center_content=”no” min_height=”none”]

Will Robedee, CBI Executive Director

Put together an on-line planning calendar. One for you personally and one calendar in coordination with the leaders of your department, organization, etc. Make it accessible to all who are impacted and allow some of those to have the ability to edit. Start with what you know and what you suspect. Then share it and hold a brainstorming session either in person or electronically. This should be a living document that is updated throughout the year, revisited at meetings to see what is upcoming and what new opportunities or deadlines need to be added.

On that topic, add to your calendar for tomorrow, book CBI convention rooms now before they are sold out. See http://askcbi.org/minneapolis/hotel/

Budget. You likely already have a budget in place. If you haven’t done so, review it with the stakeholders and revise are necessary/permitted.

Make sure you have included funds for the convention. Bring those to the convention who will bring the most value back to the station, such as non-seniors.

Goals. Use SMART goals (Google it). Too many people develop a list of goals which are not really goals. I want to do x this semester is not a goal. If you read what you read up on SMART goals, you will understand the previous statement. Each of those letters stand for something important. Do not leave anything out.

Shake things up! If something did not go well last year, are you going to repeat the mistakes? Stop doing it or change it. Even if it went well, why keep doing the same thing without thinking about how to improve and draw attention to the wonderful things you are doing.

What is next for you and your organization? How do you get there? When setting goals, do not do them randomly. Even if they are SMART, they should be moving you or your organization towards a larger “big picture” SMART goal.

Review your stations operational documents to determine if they are accurate and current or do they need to be changed or updated? The review may remind you of things you had forgotten about. Changing operational documents should require substantial discussion and thought with all the stakeholders.

Make sure your equipment/software is operating as expected. Nothing deters students quicker from a student organization whose tools are not functioning properly. If the equipment is not operating properly and that has a negative impact on the quality of what you produce/air or reduces the quantity, the organization reputation will suffer. Speaking of organization reputation, many student media organizations have a bad reputation on campus. Is addressing the misconceptions about your organization on your SMART goal list?

Hopefully, you have given thought to all of the items in the incomplete list above and this is just a reminder to revisit some items which fell through the cracks during the summer months.[/fusion_builder_column][/fusion_builder_row][/fusion_builder_container]