Optimization and Priorities group

Proposal
Free Geek needs an Optimization and Priorities group to perform three basic functions:
 * Discuss what we're already doing and how we can do it better
 * This is currently done on an ad hoc basis by groups like the Providence planning committee, but it is not done in an ongoing and organized fashion.


 * Compare proposals for expansion
 * We have a tool in the Program Planning Guidelines that help us formally define what we might want to do. However, when the community council sets priorities, it is often forced (by deadlines) to grant or deny a project on its own merits alone, not taking into account other possible projects. The Optimization and Priorities group would maintain a General Priorities document that is constantly being modified. This would be reviewed by the community council, ensuring that it is informed and able to discuss and easily compare Free Geek's options for expansion.


 * Help people turn their ideas into reality
 * It can be confusing to a volunteer or staff member how decisions become reality. The flow chart below describes a way in which good quality, organization wide ideas could be put into action at Free Geek.

The Optimization and Priorities group wouldn't actually decide anything. They'd just review and compare proposals and make presentations to the council so that the council wouldn't get bogged down in inumerable details. The group could probably accomplish its work in a monthly meeting. On staff, the C7 committee would interface with this new group.

Visual
This is mostly for expansion. Things that we aren't doing yet, but might want to start doing. digraph D {

start           [label="YOUR IDEA STARTS HERE", fontsize="11", shape="box", style="bold"] programplan     [label="Develop a\nPROGRAM PLANNING SHEET", fontsize="11", shape="box"] optprioritize   [label="OPTIMIZATION\n&\nPRIORITIES", fontsize="11"] generalpriorites [label="Integrate into the\nGENERAL PRIORITIES DOCUMENT", fontsize="11", shape="box"] council         [label="COMMUNITY\nCOUNCIL", fontsize="11"] board           [label="BOARD\nOF\nDIRECTORS", fontsize="11"] budget          [label="Integrate into\nBUDGET", fontsize="11", shape="box"] whee            [label="WHEE!\nWe get to do it!", fontsize="11", shape="box", style="bold"] shucks          [label="AW SHUCKS!\nIt won't work!", fontsize="11", shape="box", style="bold"]

start           -> programplan programplan     -> optprioritize optprioritize   -> generalpriorites generalpriorites -> council

council      -> board          [label="approve"] council      -> shucks         [label="disapprove"] council      -> programplan    [label="needs\nmore\nwork"] council      -> optprioritize  [label="reprioritize"]

board        -> budget      [label="approve"] board        -> shucks      [label="disapprove"] board        -> programplan [label="needs\nmore\nwork"] budget       -> whee }

Optimization
The optimization function is to look at the big picture and figure out ways we might be able to do stuff better. This could be performed by an open committee that reports to the community council.

Priorities
The priorities function is to review program planning sheets and compare them. We maintain a General Priorities document on the wiki that would be reviewed, ammended, and approved (or not) by the community council.

Budget
Budget planning is done by the bookkeeper and the treasurer, plus anyone else obvious. We organize and propose budget amendments to the board of directors where the budget is finally worked out.