PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT SURVEY ANALYSIS

This survey sought to determine the how, when and who of CWRT program development. Thank you to all those who assisted in this enterprise.

• Dispersal of responsibilities within the governance of a CWRT is a fundamental axiom to follow. Although some CWRTs devolve the responsibility for program development on the president, that practice should be abandoned whenever practicable.

• The minimal planning horizon for program development should be six months and should either follow the calendar or seasonal year of the CWRT.

• As identifying “good” speakers is an important component of program development success, these critical factors should be considered:

• Development and implementation of a speaker review process;
• Reliance on other CWRTs about their speaker experience; and
• The use of published speakers lists, i.e., CWRT Congress Speaker Registry and ECW Speakers Bureau.

• Remaining in contact with speakers who are scheduled for a future date is vital including the use of reminders.

• Continue to suggest “5-Star speakers” to the CWRT Congress Speaker Registry. Those recommendations are important to speakers AND CWRTs.

• CWRTs would do well to avoid repetitive topics and speakers while including the “best” speakers in their program lineups. If cost is a factor, the special fundraising efforts listed below should be considered.

• For CWRT program improvement to occur, members, the board of directors/officers and other leaders should develop specific program proposals, defend them to the board and help to implement them.