Work Plan Template

Work Plan TemplatePurpose: To create a “script” for your improvement effort and support implementation.Directions: 1. Using this form as a template, develop a work plan for each goal identified through the needs assessment process.Modify the form as needed to fit your unique context.2. Distribute copies of each work plan to the members of the collaboration.3. Keep copies handy to bring to meetings to review and update regularly. You may decide to develop new work plans for new phases ofyour reform effort.Goal:Results/Accomplishments:Action Steps What Will Be Done? ResponsibilitiesWho Will Do It?TimelineBy When?(Day/Month)ResourcesA.Resources AvailableB.Resources Needed (financial,human, political & other)Potential BarriersA.What individuals ororganizations might resist?B.How?Communications PlanWho is involved?What methods?How often?Step 1: A.B. A.B.Step 2: A.B. A.B.Step 3: A.B. A.B.Step 4: A.B. A.B.Step 5: A.B. A.B.Evidence Of Success (How will you know that you are making progress? What are your benchmarks?) Evaluation Process (How will you determine that your goal has been reached? What are your measures?)Example of a Team Action Plan TemplateWritten by: Sidharth Thakur• Edited by: Michele McDonoughPublished Dec 15, 2010For any team to be successful, developing a proper team action plan is the first prerequisite. And if you‟re looking for help on how to prepare a team action plan, here‟s an article that will prove to be of great assistance.Having a team action plan in place, before embarking on a project, ensures that all the team members are well aware of their role and make well coordinated efforts towards the accomplishment of the goals. Here is a link to a team action plan template that can be used to update all the team members with some pertinent information like - what is to be done, by whom, when, how and what will be the likely outcome.A team‟s performance and success depends on how focused the team‟s efforts are towards achieving the desired targets, and a properly laid out action plan is the most effective way of channeling and synchronizing the efforts of all the team members in the right direction. So here‟s more on how to make a team action plan.The Groundwork for Developing a Team Action PlanIn order to prepare a proper action plan for your team, here are some pointers on the information you need to collect.∙Goals and Objectives:All team members must actively discuss and enumerate the goals or objectives to be achieved. The final list of goals must be arrived at through a consensus view of all the team members. Each of the goals on the list must be realistic, achievable, and measurable.∙Once the list of goals is in hand, the next thing to work on is the list of activities or actions and the resources that are needed to achieve each of the goals. While there can be many ways to accomplish the same goal – the focus here should be on tracing out an activity path that is most apt, practical and that ensures optimum use of resources.∙The next obvious step is to assign responsibilities and set up a proper time schedule for the execution of all the identified activities.With all this information in place it‟s time to present it all in a more organized manner using the template for an action plan.Using the Team Action Plan Template:Here is a list of the information fields that the user is required to fill into the template:1Goal Statement:Here both the overall goal and the list of sub-goals must be written down in a crisp, legible and easily understandable style.2Outcome:This field should show what end results are to be achieved.3Team Members:The names of all the team members.4Members to be recruited:If any additional members need to be recruited at any point during the project execution theirnames can be entered into this field as and when required.5The lower half of the template requires specific information for each of the activities or actions on the …to-do‟ list. The list of actions or activities can be made in a chronological sequence based on their start date. In addition to the details about the actions to be carried out and their respective start and completion dates, the names of the persons responsible for execution of the actions and the list of resources that will be used must be mentioned alongside in the fields provided for the same.Setting up a Review Schedule for the Action Plan:The job of preparing a team action plan does not end at this; setting up a review schedule is another task that must be done in order to ensure proper compliance with the action plan. Periodic meetings should be held to review the progress and to resolve issues that may crop up during the plan execution. Ideally meetings should be scheduled on the completion dates of the activities, but if the activity has been successfully completed without any problems and as per schedule the review meetings can be avoided.Screenshots Taken by: Sidharth ThakurHow to Emcee a BanquetBy Steve Greechie, eHow ContributorA banquet is an important event, whatever the occasion is. It keeps the community together. It marks an occasion. It celebrates life, present or past. A banquet depends on its emcee. The attendees need structure, and an emcee needs to be able to move them from one stage to the next. Does this Spark an idea?∙Things You'll Need∙Guest list∙Proper attire∙An audible voice or a microphone∙Guest of honor∙Menu∙EntertainmentHideInstructions1Be involved from the planning stage. The venue will make an enormous difference, as will the time of day. The number of attendees will be important in time planning. You'll need to consider all these things to plan your approach. You'll be better at some things than others, and you should work with theplanners to act on your strengths. The guest list, too, deserves your attention. Know your guests' preferences. And know if there are names that may cause conflict when they meet.2Be part of the theme. The party's theme will decide what you wear, where you'll sit and even the tone of voice you use. An anniversary banquet for the extended family demands something different from the host than a reception for a political figure.3Welcome everyone. If you can, welcome them individually. Stand at the door, and be prepared to shake hands a hundred times. Then welcome them all together from the podium or head table. Talk about the guest of honor and the occasion, and invite the audience to enjoy the meal.4Flow with the food. If you're going to present for the entire event, let the audience know that you're enjoying the meal with them. Each course is an opportunity to compliment the staff or to tell a story.5Introduce the entertainment. Everything the band or the singer does is an opportunity to compliment them. If the attendees know that you're enjoying it, they'll enjoy it as well.6Introduce the guests of honor, or the guest speakers, thoroughly and personally. If he's a professional, know his resume and tell the audience about his accomplishments. If you know the guest of honor personally, share some memories. Above all, let everyone know how happy you are to have him there.7Work with the photographer. Being photographed is a ceremony and a chance to make everyone feel important. Be sure everyone has the chance to be photographed with the guest of honor; this is the opportunity to see that everyone has the chance to meet him and talk with him. A formal photographisn't the same as a candid, and it's up to the emcee to make sure everyone gets the attention they deserve.8Send everyone off feeling appreciated. They've been a part of the event, so let them know you've enjoyed having them there.Tips & WarningsEveryone loves flattery. A well-placed compliment can save an awkward situation. People will believe anything nice you say about them.Read more: How to Emcee a Banquet | /how_5652337_emcee-banquet.html#ixzz1s84t7MgqHow to Arrange Tables For a Social EventBy Jennifer AkreHow to arrange tables for a social event all depends on what type of event you are planning. Banquets, receptions, award ceremonies, and meetings will all require a little bit of a different type of table set up. There are all sorts of table arrangement options out there but here are a few ideas that should get you started setting up for the perfect social event.o Banquets: The type of banquet you're hosting will influence your table set up. If you're hosting a more informal set up then go for moderately sized tables seating 6-8 people. This is the prefect size to seat pairs together or larger groups with common interests. You can cluster the tables in different groups to promote interaction between different guest groups. Another option is to go with long banquet tables. This is normally reserved for more formal dinners honoring the proverbial head of the table.o Receptions: A reception will have more clustered seating like the informal banquet. For receptions though you'll want to have kid friendly options. The typical kids table though can be a bit off putting to your teen guests. A couple options are to set up a few tables for your youngest guests. Provide some coloring books and little games and toys to keep them occupied and happy. Your teenage guests probably won't want to socialize too much with the adults so give them their own table with others close to their own age.o Awards Ceremonies: An award ceremony is going to combine the reception and banquet elements. You'll want a long table at the front of the room for the honorees. If available place this table up on a raised dais to draw attention to it. Putting round tables in the guest area presents a challenge. You'll have to cut back on the number of seats per table. You don't want guests with their backs to the honorees. So instead arrange the guests around just the half of the table facing the stage.o Meetings: For an informal meeting why not use a large round table like King Arthur. It sounds a bit medieval. But going with a round table can help deemphasize rank. This type of arrangement will promote brainstorming among colleagues. You can hash out new product strategies and promotional ideas over lunch. For a formal meeting you'll go with a head table like at an award ceremony but instead of having round tables you'll want to arrange rectangular tables all facing towards the stage. This set up is reserved for speaking to a group instead of interaction among the guests, or in this case employees or business partners.How to arrange tables for a social event is all about bringing focus to the right group of people. For informal gatherings you want to promote conversation between people and have a great time. For more formal and structured events you need to put the focus on the speaker or honoree. Just use the rule of thumb - rectangular for regulated circular for social.Author Jennifer Akre is an owner of a wide variety of online specialty shops including that offer both items and information on how you can easily furnish and decorate your space. Whether it is end tables for your living room or tables for you newly remodeled home, there are many tips you can use to make any spot both functional and beautiful. Click today and indulge your senses.How To Plan A Banquet - A Guide To Planning Perfect Banquets For Company Or Private PartiesBy Al LampkinFirst time planners are often stricken with complete fear! Even those that plan events over and over again still fear that something will go wrong and they will be the subject of ridicule. Hopefully we can allay the fears and quell the butterflies in your stomach by helping you through the entire project.There are a lot of questions you need to ask. First timers probably don't have the foggiest idea what questions to ask, so, the first thing we'd better do is outline these for you.Perhaps the easiest way to do that is to fill out a form. (I love forms!)If you were to phone me and ask me to help you make arrangements for a special event, the first thing I would do is reach for a blank form, and over the phone we would fill it out. When I had all the information, I would be better prepared to help you.Before you continue reading, you may want to print the banquet planning worksheet(PDF) from my website. That way you can follow along with the worksheet as I describe the planning process. I've also included a pre filled sample planning worksheet that you might help.Let's begin with fact finding.PURPOSEThe first question to ask is, "What is the purpose of the event?" This question should be really easy, but it's perhaps the most important. The purpose of your event will determine your event's agenda.DATEBreak out your calendar to decide a date for your event. Look for possible conflicts. It might be tough to get people out to a Saturday night banquet if it's a three-day holiday. It would be unwise to put on a church social if your local school, where most of your congregation had children attending, were having an open house or play that night.Pencil in a date and then try to think of possible conflicts. I know of one organization that booked a very popular and relatively expensive Jewish comic into the club house of a predominantly Jewish retirement community. Attempts to sell tickets failed miserably, because they had not realized they had scheduled his appearance on a Jewish holiday - a very expensive oversight!BUDGETThere are many, many determining factors in establishing a budget. First of all, how many are expected to attend? You might have a pretty good idea for a company party, but in some cases you might just have to make a "guess-timate" until you can get more information. Make the best possible estimate based on what facts you have, and proceed.TICKET PRICEAnother factor to determine before we select a location is how much your attendees are willing to pay. Sure, we can work the other way: we can pick a location, hire a band, select the menu, etc., and then add up how much it all costs and thus determine how much everyone needs to pay, but doing so will probably leave you hurting in the end.If you expect 1,000 people, and you determine $25.00 a person is acceptable, then your entire budget for food, printing, entertainment, etc., is $25,000. If you expect only 20 people and you know they won't come if it's over $5.00 a person, then you know you're far more limited.LOCATIONDetermine the geographical area where the event is to take place. If you live in the area where the event will take place, you may already know of various hotels, country clubs, restaurants or catering halls that can accommodate your group. If you don't live in the area, be sure to go look at the potential location before you book it. If the event is in a distant city and it's not possible for you to travel there, and the event is a significant one, I suggest you hire a professional meeting planner.I once attended a banquet in a quaint "50's malt-shop-type restaurant. The party planner had not gone there to look at the room where the party was to be. She had just taken the word of a friend. True, it was a great restaurant, but their "room" had about 5 permanent booths on each wall. Guests were facing in all different directions. This made it almost impossible for the magician they had hired to perform. To further confuse the issue, it was not even a private room. Restaurant customers could not get to the restroom without disturbing the party, and the 50's music continued to blare through the ceiling speakers throughout the evening because it was piped throughout the whole restaurant and could not be isolated from one room. A visit beforehand could have prevented this nightmare.Many, if not most, facilities do not charge a fee for the use of the room but instead absorb the rental fee into the price of the meal. For instance, in our example of 200 people, a banquet facility would be delighted to supply a private room in order to sell 200 dinners.Usually they will have several dinners to choose from - perhaps a chicken dinner, complete with beverage, salad and dessert, for $12.00 per person; or prime rib at $18.00 each; or sirloin steaks at $25.00 per person. In our example we are charging $30.00 per person. Let's select the prime rib at $18.00.Does that include tax and tip? Oh, Oh! Find out if it does, or you may get a surprise at the end of the night. Let's say it does not. 15% tip and 8% (or whatever) tax makes the dinner a total of $22.14 per person. Our sample budget calls for 200 people at $30.00 each for a total of $6,000. If all 200 people attend, dinner will cost $4,428. That leaves $1,572 for all other costs.By the way, the facility may ask you for a deposit and guarantee. If you guarantee 200 people, you will have to pay for 200 dinners even if only 175 show up. Generally, a facility is prepared to serve about 10% more people than you guarantee. So it makes sense to guarantee a lesser number than you expect. Even some of those who told you absolutely they would be there, maybe even gave you a deposit, don't show for one reason or another.Just to be on the safe side, in our example of 200 people, I would guarantee the restaurant 185. If you're pre selling tickets, which I recommend, you can always adjust your estimate upwards with the restaurant a day or two ahead of time if needed. Ask the facility about their requirements in regard to a change in the guarantee.AGENDAThe evening agenda is largely determined by the event's purpose. A typical event might go like this:6:00 - 7:00 - Social or cocktail hour7:00 - 8:00 - Dinner8:00 - 8:15 - Meeting/Awards/Business8:15 - 9:00 - Entertainment/Speaker9:00 - 9:10 - Raffle/Door Prizes9:10 - 1:00 - DancingHaving an hour to "gather" is always good. You and the facility both will want everyone present when you actually sit down to eat. It's been my experience that almost everything starts late, so plan for it and don't be disappointed when it happens.Will you be having a cocktail hour? A "Hosted" bar means that drinks are free to the party-goers. If you choose to host the cocktail hour, be prepared to spend about $1200 for our sample group of 200 people. Most organization-sponsored events have a 'No-Host' bar, in which guests buy their own drinks. It's appropriate to announce 'Hosted', or 'No-Host' in the invitation.Some form of entertainment during the cocktail hour is certainly a plus. The facility may have music piped in through its sound system, which is certainly the most economical; however, for around $300 you could have live music. Most banquet facilities have a piano, sometimes on wheels, and will let you either rent the piano or use it for free. Fee for the piano rental should be around $50 to $100 and a piano player anywhere from $150 to $250.Other cocktail hour entertainment could include a chamber group, a jazz or "society" trio, harpist, or a strolling accordionist. A strolling "close-up" magician, performing from group to group or table to table, is always fun. Other forms of entertainment for the cocktail hour could include celebrity look-alikes, mechanical or conventional mimes, a balloon animal sculptor, caricaturist, graphologist, palm reader, tarot card reader, stilt walker, or just about anything else you can think of! Again, your budget is your gauge.DINNERThis is pretty easy. When the Maitre'd says dinner is ready, have your party sit down!The vast majority of banquets have certain people assigned to sit at the head table while everyone else may sit where they wish. If you choose to have a head table, you should make small place markers for those assigned to sit at the head table, and don't forget to discuss table arrangements with the facility.OPENINGSomeone, perhaps you, should step to the microphone and announce that dinner is ready and ask everyone to take a seat. When this has been accomplished your President, or whoever is presiding, should welcome everyone.It is appropriate at most banquets to have someone lead the flag salute, followed by a blessing on the food. People should not be called upon for these jobs extemporaneously, but should be asked in advance and their names and responsibilities should be listed on the printed program if there is one. Following the flag salute and prayer, your Master of Ceremonies (or who ever is conducting) should introduce the people sitting at the head table, introducing himself last.THE PROGRAMIf business of any sort needs to be conducted, begin when dessert is finished, or at least served. Make sure that the facility knows that you do not want any bussing (clearing of tables) or coffee served after the program starts, as it can become an irritating distraction and take away from the enjoyment of the program.ENTERTAINMENTFollowing opening remarks, and/or other business, you could either introduce the main speaker, or present some form of entertainment.This could be the highlight of the evening! There are many outstanding after-dinner performers and speakers. If you really want to have a successful event, hire a professional. At this writing $500 to $1,000 can buy you some pretty top-notch entertainment.How about a comedian-magician who uses a member or two of your group and does some hilarious bits of business and audience participation magic tricks - 30 or 40 minutes of non-stop laughs!Or picture this...the dessert has just been served and in walks "Lt. Columbo," complete with overcoat and cigar..."Oh, excuse me," he says, "I was looking for somebody else." All eyes are riveted on this familiar figure as he turns and starts to walk out. "Oh, one more thing, is this the Walker party?' Then for the next 30 minutes or so he does a comedy routine in the style and delivery of Peter Falk as Lt. Columbo, using names of people in your group.That will rock your people out of their seats with laughter. These are just a couple of suggestions. Everybody loves to laugh, and a good professional entertainer can make you a hero.How do you find that kind of entertainment? Again, watch out for the well-meaning friend. Sometimes hiring a friend of a friend who tells jokes or plays the banjo can put a wet blanket on the evening if they don't live up to your expectations.Probably the best way to secure talent is to work with a professional talent agent that specializes in special events. Ordinarily there is no fee for his services. He can make recommendations and suggestions based on what your needs are, and work within your budget limitations.Some entertainers may have special requirements, like a stage, spotlight, two mics or something else, and these items need to be arranged with the facility. There may be a rental fee involved.RAFFLE/DOOR PRIZESGiving away door prizes or raffle prizes should not be held until after the entertainment or main speaker. Perhaps it's an inducement for your guests to stay until the end.If you're selling raffle tickets, again you need to make out a budget. How many tickets do you expect to sell and for how much money? Do you want to make a profit? Let's say you expect to sell 100 tickets to those 200 people expected to come, and we sell them at the banquet for $2.00 each. That'll give you $200 to buy prizes with. You can put this in your general budget or assign someone to take care of the whole raffle, including purchasing the prizes and selling the tickets.DANCINGFollowing the raffle, the formal portion of the program is really over. Your people can now go home. If you've elected to have a deejay or band, they may stay for dancing.The facility might charge to set up a dance floor. Sometimes this is a portable dance floor they build right on top of the carpet. A band will cost anywhere from $150 per band member to $450 per band member for four hours. A small trio of keyboard, drum and guitar could be anywhere from $750 to $1,500.An $1,800 to $3,500 five-piece band, including a vocalist, is average. If you hire a band, you may be able to use one or more of those same musicians to provide cocktail hour and/or dinner music for a small additional fee. You normally need to make a deposit at the time you hire the band. Anything over four hours' playing time is considered overtime, and you should talk with the band or agent about the cost of overtime when you make the initial arrangements. Bands also need to take a 10-15 minute break each hour. Ask if the band will supply recorded music during their breaks.MOBILE DEEJAYSometimes you might prefer a DeeJay playing recorded music instead of hiring a band. This gives you the advantage of hearing the original recording artist instead of a dance band's rendition.Another advantage is that most mobile DeeJay units will set up before dinner and offer to play dinner music at no additional cost, and of course, a DeeJay does not take a break during the evening, so you have non stop music for your event.Cost-wise, there is not a lot of difference between a 3-piece band and a DeeJay. Some DeeJays offer a full light-show that few bands do, and even with an additional charge, this could be a real plus. I think it's just a matter of taste. Some people insist on a live band and others are just as adamant about a DeeJay.PHOTOGRAPHER OR VIDEOGRAPHERVideo taping an event, except for historical purposes, is unnecessary. Seldom will the video tape or DVD be watched more than once after the event. Yes, maybe a Bar or Bat Mitzvah will watch his or her recording years later when they grow older, and maybe even a bride and groom would watch a well-edited and condensed recording. A company or organization's banquet, however, will be seldom if ever watched.I would recommend that you hire, budget permitting, a professional photographer rather than leaving it up to one of your guests or a friend of a friend who only takes photos twice a year. You can have the photographer deliver prints or a CD of digital photographs in which case you could print just the photos you want.PROMOTIONProbably the most traumatic thing that could occur is that you planned the entire event and then no one came. If it's a company party and the food, entertainment, drinks and dancing are all free, I don't think you will have a problem, as long as you let everybody know when and where and that it's FREE!But if that's not the situation, you may need to promote the event. Once you have all the facts (WHAT, WHEN, WHERE, WHY, WHO, and HOW MUCH), you can create a flyer - a piece of paper with all the facts on it, designed to motivate people to attend.If you're an artist, great! You can create the flyer yourself. If not, maybe someone in your group is and they can help you. Otherwise, you need to "rough it out" the way you'd want it and take it to a graphic artist to do the "camera-ready copy" for you, then off to a printer to print however many you're going to need. How many you need will depend on how you're going to distribute them.The layout, printing, envelopes and postage all need to go into your budget. There are, of course, additional ways you can promote the event - word of mouth, bulletin boards, phone committee, club or company newsletter, posters. If your event will be open to people outside your organization, you might try using the publicity channels of other related groups, companies, schools, etc., as well as your own. Have a "brainstorming session" with your committee, if you have one, to think of all the ways you can get the word out.And remember that if you want people to come to your activity, you can't just tell them. You have to tell them and tell them and tell them! Use all the resources at your disposal, and don't hesitate to repeat yourself. The more times you tell them, the more will come! TICKET SALESThere are as many ways to handle this as there are ways to promote the event. If you have to lay out funds ahead of time (which is usually the case), it is good to get as much money as you can up front. Pre selling your tickets will help you do that. Of course, your publicity must state your requirements and deadlines. This also will help you get a handle on how many are going to attend. Remember though, that there will still be some last minute cancellations and additions, so stay flexible.TABLE ASSIGNMENTS。