STRATEGIC PLANNING

STRATEGIC PLANNING

The goal of this discussion is to formulate, by November 1, 2008, a "Strategic Plan" for the PickensPlan, for presentation directly to T. Boone Pickens. This is a member-led initiative.

Questions for discussion include, but are not limited to:

1. Should every member of the new Congress receive a packet of materials by Dec. 31, 2008, on the PickensPlan? If so, what would that packet contain? How would it best be delivered (in-person, we would hope).

2. Should formal legislative positions be adopted by the PickensPlan? Or is it enough to promote the broad themes which Mr. Pickens has expressed?

3. What steps can members take in early 2009 to have the most impact on Congress and the new Administration?

4. What steps can members take at the state level - i.e., with state legislators and elected officials?

5. What steps can members take at the local level - i.e., with county, city or town elected and appointed officials?

6. Beyond early 2009, should the PickensPlan continue? If so, what will be its longer-term goals? How should it be supported? Will these goals duplicate the efforts of existing nonprofit organizations? Should the PickensPlan have a "termination date" - with members directed toward other nonprofit organizations to support?

7. How can the PickensPlan be better organized? Should it be (i.e., no one desires to stifle the creative energy which social networking can produce)?

Tags: goals, legislation, nonprofit, organization, planning, strategic, strategy

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Permalink Reply by FredDC on August 19, 2008 at 10:05am: Hi Ron. I think a non-profit organization is a must for the future of this plan. If this movement is seen as a profitable venture for Mr. Pickens it will not get the attention it deserves. I'm surprised it isn't already. The purpose of the non-profit should be to educate the workforce in the present energy industry on the changes required to get off foreign oil. Regards, FredDC; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by FredDC on August 19, 2008 at 3:56pm: Hello Ron. A non-profit organization does not have to necessarilly be a charity. Here is a brief description from Wikipedia. I'm sure there are many more:

A non-profit organization (abbreviated "NPO", also "not-for-profit") is a legally constituted organization whose objective is to support or engage in activities of public or private interest without any commercial or monetary profit. NPOs are active in the environment, humanitarian aid, animal protection, education, the arts, social issues, charities, health care, politics, religion, research, sports or other endeavors.
NPOs generally do not operate to generate profit, a characteristic widely considered to be defining of such organizations. However, an NPO may accept, hold and disburse money and other things of value. It may legally and ethically trade at a profit or hold investments, usually restricted to use any funds resulting from such commercial enterprises, solely and exclusively for attaining the organization's aims. The extent to which it can generate income may be constrained in amount, methods or both, and the use of those profits may be restricted not only in purpose but in proportions regarding self-maintenance and achievement of purpose. NPOs therefore are typically funded by donations from the private, public sector, or both, as well as from program service fees. NPOs can attain tax exempt status but such status is not inherent to its formation and must be specifically requested to the tax supervising authority. Donations may sometimes be tax deductible.
Many non-profits are operated by either volunteers, paid staff or a combination of both, usually reserving the senior executive positions to paid personnel while the entry-level and field positions are frequently held by volunteers. Additionally, an NPO may have members or participants or beneficiaries or students etc. as opposed to customers in for-profit organizations.
One should not generalize about the comparative cost of a "nonprofit" versus "for profit" organization; there may be internalized profit in a nonprofit organization. In fact, most successful NPO's generate a surplus of funds (more income than expenses) that can be held to generate additional income and pay operating expenses when other income streams weaken. With a number of NPO's, the only distinction between them and a for-profit company is that ownership lies in stake-holders, and not investors. Any net income is used to further the organization's goal (whether that be paying for programs or investing for security), rather than being distributed to share-holders, partners or owners.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on August 23, 2008 at 10:38pm: Hey Ron….just some of my thoughts on the Strategic Planning……….
1.
Should every member of the new Congress receive a packet of materials by Dec. 31, 2008, on the PickensPlan? If so, what would that packet contain? How would it best be delivered (in-person, we would hope).

Yes on the packet… But…they also probably get 50 other packets to read. How do we stand out and spur action? We should deliver the packet in person. But unless that person is Pamela Anderson we need to find another way to get their attention. (PS…they won’t be in session that day due to the holiday)

2. Should formal legislative positions be adopted by the PickensPlan? Or is it enough to promote the broad themes which Mr. Pickens has expressed?

Rather than support any single formal legislative position, how about we design a “Pickens Plan official stamp of Approval? Of course it would require a set of criteria that would warrant the award of the stamp of approval. For example: Benchmarks that would be tied to time lines. Estimates of how long implementation of any given plan would take and then also what percentage of foreign oil would be eliminated by implementation of the plan. Done correctly, it would be a feather in the cap for either democrat or republican to be given such a distinction.

3. What steps can members take in early 2009 to have the most impact on Congress and the new Administration?

On predetermined dates we deluge congressional offices with messages to get busy on comprehensive energy legislation. HOWEVER we must be organized well enough to do that and have the “true” army in place and ready to act.
Just a thought…a two prong approach such as the day we hit congress we also have a large contingent of big rig drivers circling the beltway. Sounds drastic? It is drastic! To get the mule’s attention you must smack them over the head with a two by four…figuratively speaking.

4. What steps can members take at the state level - i.e., with state legislators and elected officials?

Maybe develop some sort of widget…with their district legislators and their email addresses preloaded so that when the call goes out they copy and paste a few sentences and then also add their own words so that it isn’t a massive canned response. The email goes out to everyone on their list at the same time.
Of course…I don’t personally know any widget makers so I don’t know if it can be done!

5. What steps can members take at the local level - i.e., with county, city or town elected and appointed officials?

Find out who their reps are and call their offices. It has more of an impact. We have to let folks know that it’s a lot easier than they might think. Don’t be intimidated. After all, they’re working for you.
Maybe develop a 5 part instruction sheet that folks can print off.
Such as: 1) Call members of local government and ask them what are they doing to conserve energy?
What are their energy goals and what steps are being taken to meet this goal? Etc.

6. Beyond early 2009, should the PickensPlan continue? If so, what will be its longer-term goals? How should it be supported? Will these goals duplicate the efforts of existing nonprofit organizations? Should the PickensPlan have a "termination date" - with members directed toward other nonprofit organizations to support?

Yes, I think it should continue. We should develop our own 1 yr, 3 yr, 5, yr and 10 yr plan.
Eventually I would like to see representatives from each state form “the Pickens Plan non partisan PAC group”…. preferably someone from each state who is actually working on behalf of this organization, “Joe citizen” and not someone connected to the energy industry. For instance…Linda Crim from Mo. Represents her state. She has done great work (SOS group) and she truly cares about the plan. A paid position would probably be too much to hope for. (There is a limit to how much a volunteer will do!) We would also give the stamp of approval to other non partisan groups and call them partners in our quest. Th; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on August 23, 2008 at 10:55pm: Continuing.................6. Beyond early 2009, should the PickensPlan continue? If so, what will be its longer-term goals? How should it be supported? Will these goals duplicate the efforts of existing nonprofit organizations? Should the PickensPlan have a "termination date" - with members directed toward other nonprofit organizations to support?

Yes, I think it should continue. We should develop our own 1 yr, 3 yr, 5, yr and 10 yr plan.
Eventually I would like to see representatives from each state form “the Pickens Plan non partisan PAC group”…. preferably someone from each state who is actually working on behalf of this organization, “Joe citizen” and not someone connected to the energy industry. For instance…Linda Crim from Mo. Represents her state. She has done great work (SOS group) and she truly cares about the plan. A paid position would probably be too much to hope for. (You can only ask a volunteer to do so much!) We would also give the stamp of approval to other non partisan groups and call them partners in our quest. The more of these groups we can shelter under “our” umbrella, the greater our numbers hence, the biggest non partisan lobby in America!
Ron, I choose you as the first president….don’t be shy…we need you and you would be great!
Of course….TBP is czar! Ok…I’m havin’ some fun now!

7. How can the PickensPlan be better organized? Should it be (i.e., no one desires to stifle the creative energy which social networking can produce)?

The outline is good now. Continue to streamline and then make sure the core organizers
Eventually ‘adopt” groups and help them with resources and even funding if it ever becomes available.
However we do it we need to contact our adopted groups so to speak and keep them moving even if its encouragement only. We need to help them be patient and keep an eye on the big picture… because they are a large part of the big picture.

Hope this helps Ron, Carol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron A. Rhoades on August 25, 2008 at 5:08pm: Carol,

Thank you for the great set of thoughts about both near-term and longer-term strategic issues. Your comments are helpful in defining actions which are more likely to be supported in some fashion by the members.

It is curious that others have not commented, as well. I thought by offering a discussion forum on strategic planning that some of those ideas (and criticisms) floating around out there could "find a home" in a discussion of what we want the future to be.

Certainly the PickensPlan has elevated the issues of energy independence and trade deficits (to which overdependence on foreign oil substantially contributes) in this political season. In itself, this is a positive development. While frustrated at the lack of action a well-led movement could have achieved by now, and the apparent narrow vision of the PickensPlan itself, I remain optimistic that the PickensPlan can achieve a real difference and achieve a better future for all Americans. Ron; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by FredDC on August 25, 2008 at 5:45pm: Hi Ron. Finally found where anyone can make an investment in Pickens Plan. It's called Clean Energy (CNLE;Nasdaq) www.cleanenergyfuels.com. It was founded by Mr.Pickens and has grown into a very large distributor of natural gas.; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Carol on August 25, 2008 at 7:20pm: Here, Here! And I'm surprised too. Still a lot of apathy out there! People only just willing to do the most minimal thing like sign up and then run.
Again...we are the sleeping giant. Lets hope it doesn't take what it did last time to wake us from our slumber.
Carol; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lyn W. on August 28, 2008 at 2:44pm: Hello Ron,
First I would like to say that I Really appreciate the organization of the page with all of the downloads! This will help us get the word out!!!

There is a lot of information to wrap my mind around here. I will need to print it out and go over it piece by piece to see if I can come up with answers/opinions for you.

Your organizational skills are impeccable! Brilliant, thorough, exactly what was needed! Thank you so much for doing all that you have done!
I will get back with you as soon as I can on this. Don't get discouraged with others not responding immediately - many things take people away from this right now - Conventions, school starting, need a break, etc.
Kindest Thoughts,
Lyn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lyn W. on August 28, 2008 at 2:51pm: Thought of something I read earlier today: A link to a list of State Reps. and Senators.

This could be accomplished in seperate "State Rooms" maybe?
Lyn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Lyn W. on August 28, 2008 at 6:42pm: Ron,
Before I reply to the above I want to tell you that I have received the okay for a petition to be put into your phenomenal section of downloadable items. Someone will be contacting you within a day or two to get it in there. I am hoping that a broadcast will go out to all members to download this item and get signatures. I was told that this petition will be a simple statement supporting Pickens Plan.

That said, I will try some ideas:
1. Yes, I think they should get a packet with the Petitions signed by their district/state constituents.
2. I think Broad Themes that Mr. Pickens has expressed, because he is doing it that way for a reason. When he is ready to come up with formal legislative positions then we could be ready with that waiting for him to approve.
3. Increase our numbers, create a week long writing campaign (Flood them with letters all at once).
{Create this by sending e-mails of A Call To Action to everyone - for this or any other thing like this}
4. We can do the same as above at this level.
5. We can do the same as above at this level.
{NOTE: All leters need to be in ones own words. Elected officials do not consider copies}
6. I don't see this ending in early 2009. If it does then that would be astounding. I think it needs to continue until Mr. Pickens says he does not need us for this purpose any longer.
7. Networking is imperative, but the most important thing right now is to increase the army. We need to make sure that the new people SEE the downloadable items and other guidance information first. After looking at and downloading any of that they can move on to the Discussion Hall.
NOTE: It may be important to consolidate or delete some groups that are no longer in use (I think that there are a few like that. If no activity is there let's get rid of it). Perhaps they should be directed to choose a group first and then be given the downloadable page. STATE groups would be good. Then give them the Intro. Recommended 1st Stops page.

Absolutely marvelous job Ron! I sure hope this helps.
Lyn; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron A. Rhoades on August 29, 2008 at 1:51pm: Lyn,

Thank you for your post and comments.

First off, let me say that the "PickensPlan Action Petition" idea, its approval by the grassroots organizers, and its upcoming launch, are very exciting. This promises to be a tremendous avenue to re-energize (pun intended) the PickensPlan movement, and in the long-term success of the plan. I look forward to promoting it on this Group's page.

While I have suggested to the grassroots organizers that they copy whatever they desire from the "Support Group" site and put it under a "Resources" tab (perhaps to replace the "Notes" tab), that has not yet occurred. I understand, however, that such an effort - to provide a more centalized resources page - is underway. If and when such occurs, the "Communications Support" page may be able to be deleted. We'll see.

Thank you for your other comments. And again, thank you to you, Lyn, and to others (Kim, etc.), for spearheading the "PickensPlan Action Petition" idea. I look forward to the Petition being ready for posting / downloading / printing / signing-up / etc.

Ron; ▶ Reply to This

Permalink Reply by Ron A. Rhoades on August 30, 2008 at 5:07pm: Lyn,

As you've stated, the "petition" idea appears to be on hold, as another idea for a "call to action" in September is taking priority. I am intrigued to hear what will be announced.

I would like to thank you, Carol, and FredDC for the comments about strategic planning. With good fortune, the PickensPlan can not only make a substantial impact over the next 8 months, but in the years ahead.

Ron; ▶ Reply to This