Strategic Operating Plan
November 2007
A program of
The Volunteer Center of Bergen County
64 Passaic Street
Hackensack, NJ 07601
201-489-9454
www.bergenvolunteers.org
Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Table of Contents
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ................................................................................................................... 3
INTRODUCTION................................................................................................................................ 4
VISION ............................................................................................................................................... 4
MISSION ............................................................................................................................................ 4
GOALS ............................................................................................................................................... 4
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS ............................................................................................................... 4
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION ............................................................................................................... 5
Curriculum ........................................................................................................................................ 5
Issues ............................................................................................................................................. 5
Leadership ..................................................................................................................................... 5
Trusteeship .................................................................................................................................... 5
Learning Methods .......................................................................................................................... 5
Calendar ........................................................................................................................................... 6
Class Composition and Selection Process ...................................................................................... 6
MARKETING ...................................................................................................................................... 7
Marketing Goals ............................................................................................................................... 7
Primary Customer ............................................................................................................................ 7
Product ............................................................................................................................................. 7
Price ................................................................................................................................................. 7
Place ................................................................................................................................................ 8
Promotion ......................................................................................................................................... 8
Online ............................................................................................................................................. 8
Direct Mail ...................................................................................................................................... 8
Face-to-face ................................................................................................................................... 9
Public Service Announcements ....................................................................................................... 9
Posters/brochures ............................................................................................................................ 9
Marketing Timelines ......................................................................................................................... 10
ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT ............................................................................................. 11
Staffing ............................................................................................................................................. 11
Oversight .......................................................................................................................................... 11
FUND DEVELOPMENT/SUSTAINABILITY ....................................................................................... 12
Start-up............................................................................................................................................. 12
Operating/Ongoing ........................................................................................................................... 12
MEASURING SUCCESS ................................................................................................................... 14
Monthly Seminars ............................................................................................................................ 14
Seminar Year ................................................................................................................................... 14
Sponsor/Employer Feedback Loop .................................................................................................. 14
Participant Engagement in the Community...................................................................................... 14
Alumni Involvement .......................................................................................................................... 14
ADDENDA
Start-up Budget ................................................................................................................................ 15
First Year Budget ............................................................................................................................. 16
Program Investment Opportunities .................................................................................................. 17
Advisory Panel ................................................................................................................................. 18
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
EXECUTIVE SUMMARY
Virtually every organization - be it business, school, government, religious, civic or nonprofit - is facing a
crisis of leadership. Where will the visionary leaders of tomorrow come from? How are people inspired to
be leaders? How do leaders become engaged?
Working in partnership with a panel of distinguished community leaders, the Volunteer Center of Bergen
County is establishing Bergen LEADS, a new program that will focus on preparing emerging leaders to
tackle the challenges and embrace the opportunities right here in Bergen County.
So often Bergen County is considered just an appendage of New York City, yet we face numerous
challenges unique to our status as a thriving suburban metropolis. Our population of nearly one million
represents diverse cultures, races, ethnicities and religions, yet “home rule” keeps us fragmented and
separate. We are home to major corporations and our residents are perceived as being wealthy beyond
measure, yet there are pockets of poverty and many live on the edge, scrambling for evaporating or non-
existent services.
Drawing on the expertise and experience of established leadership programs around the country,
including Leadership New Jersey, we are developing a stimulating curriculum that will not only immerse
participants in topical issues of local importance, but also enable them to explore their leadership style,
enhance their leadership capacity and become meaningfully engaged in helping to solve some of Bergen
County’s unique challenges.
The first Bergen LEADS class will begin in September, 2008 with an overnight opening retreat, followed
by eight day-long seminars. The year will culminate in a graduation ceremony in June, 2009. A new
class will begin each September. The curriculum will include information about community issues and
needs, leadership skills and community trusteeship and service. Classes will:
be limited to 30 individuals who live and/or work in Bergen County
represent a cross-section of industries
be racially and ethnically diverse, and
represent a wide range of experiences, backgrounds and age cohorts.
Approximately 40% of the cost of actually running the program will be offset by a $2,000 tuition fee
charged to the participants and their sponsor/employer; scholarships will be available for 1/3 of the class.
Corporations, foundations and individuals will be solicited to fund the remainder of the program.
The Bergen LEADS Advisory panel has established well-defined criteria for the success of the program:
the recruitment and graduation of a diverse class of 30 individuals; continued, active engagement of
alumni in the Bergen LEADS program; and demonstrated success of graduates in both professional and
civic capacities.
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
INTRODUCTION
Bergen LEADS is a year-long community leadership and learning experience for adults who live and/or
work in Bergen County. The curriculum – which is highly interactive, fast-paced and experiential – dives
deep into critical issues facing the Bergen County community while offering participants the opportunity to
discover and develop their personal leadership style. A critical component of the curriculum is community
trusteeship, in which participants will learn how to use their new-found knowledge of the community and
leadership skills to affect change.
Bergen LEADS is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, a 41-year-old private non-profit
organization whose mission is to strengthen the community by connecting people with opportunities to
serve, operating model volunteer programs, building capacity for effective volunteering, and participating
in strategic partnerships that meet community needs.
The Volunteer Center is uniquely positioned to sponsor Bergen LEADS for a number of reasons. The
Center possesses in-depth knowledge of the community – its people, organizations, assets and
challenges. Sponsorship of a community leadership program enables the Volunteer Center to meet its
mission on all fronts – connecting people, building partnerships and strengthening the community. The
Volunteer Center possesses strong and committed volunteer and staff leaders who are invested in
supporting the creation and growth of Bergen LEADS. Finally, the organization has the ability to develop
the resources needed to support the start-up and ongoing operations of the program.
An Advisory Panel of distinguished community leaders, along with staff of the Volunteer Center, is guiding
the development of the Bergen LEADS program. The Advisory Panel has established the following for
the Bergen LEADS program:
VISION
Bergen County will have skilled and knowledgeable leaders who understand the challenges facing the
county. These leaders will have the skills and expertise to effectively lead change, will embrace their role
as caretakers of the community and will take action to make it a better place.
MISSION
Bergen LEADS develops strong, visionary leaders in Bergen County by engaging emerging and existing
leaders, who represent all sectors of the community, in a variety of learning situations that focus on
community issues, leadership skills and trusteeship.
GOALS
1. Identify and nurture emerging and existing leaders.
2. Provide training in community issues, leadership skills and community trusteeship and service
through a variety of learning environments, especially experiential.
3. Develop a network of individuals, representing all sectors of the economy - corporate, non-profit,
government, education, faith communities - who are interested and involved in addressing
community challenges.
4. Ensure long-term sustainability of the program.
5. Measure and monitor the impact of Bergen LEADS on the Bergen County community.
CRITERIA FOR SUCCESS
1. Adequate representation from all sectors of the community in each class.
2. Thirty class members each year, and a graduation rate of 90%.
3. 75% of participants from each class become active Bergen LEADS alumni.
4. Demonstrated professional and civic success of Bergen LEADS participants after completing the
program.
5. Increased participation in community life from Bergen LEADS alumni.
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
PROGRAM DESCRIPTION
Bergen LEADS is a year-long community leadership and learning experience for adults who live and/or
work in Bergen County.
Curriculum
The curriculum is three-dimensional: it includes issues that affect Bergen County, leadership skills
development and awareness, and trusteeship. A variety of learning methods will be utilized to
provide an experiential, interactive and stimulating learning experience once a month.
Issues
Participants will gain an in-depth understanding of what makes the county function. Topics to be
covered include:
People Quality of Life
Immigration/race/diversity Affordable housing
Poverty/socio-economic divide Education
The “Bergen Experience” as it intersects with Health care
age Public safety
Arts & culture
Place Recurring Themes
Environment – sprawl Impact of home rule
Economic development – redevelopment Cultural mobility
Employment Economics of choice
Impact of lack of space Resource sharing
Infrastructure Technology
Bergen County in the context of New Jersey Transportation
and as a bedroom community of New York Communication
City
Leadership
Bergen LEADS participants will gain a greater understanding of their leadership style, strengths and
areas in which they need to develop their skills. While opportunities to practice leadership are
incorporated into every seminar day, two Reflection Days have been built into the curriculum to allow
for intense focus on leadership awareness and skill development.
Trusteeship
One of the objectives of Bergen LEADS is to encourage participants to take their new knowledge of
the community and of themselves as leaders and put it to work as active, involved caretakers of the
community. The Community Leadership Association has developed a curriculum around
Community Trusteeship, which is woven into the Bergen LEADS curriculum.
Class Project
Each class develops and completes several class projects designed to address a specific problem or
challenge in Bergen County. Projects will be solicited from the community through an RFP process;
the group will split into teams and each team will choose a project. Work will be done in the second
half of the seminar year, with presentations in May.
The class project allows participants to practice leadership skills and apply their newfound
knowledge of Bergen County issues to creating workable solutions. They will also gain a tangible
portfolio piece of a group project that they completed, i.e. a strategic plan, business plan or proposal
for funding.
Learning Methods
A number of techniques and tools will be incorporated as the curriculum is developed. These
include (but aren’t limited to) social mapping, asset mapping, Google map mash-ups (overlay
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
information on detailed map), the Bergen County Master Plan, reflections, pre/post assessments on
knowledge of Bergen County issues, leadership skills, level of trusteeship awareness, feedback loop
with sponsoring organization/employer and 360° evaluation. Experiences and reflections will be
documented by participants utilizing digital and/or video recorders and journals.
Guest speakers, presenters and topic experts will be brought in from across the community - non-
profit and governmental organizations, businesses, faith communities - to speak to participants.
Participants will be engaged through panel discussions, role play and small group work; lecture will
be minimal. To familiarize themselves with the topic prior to each seminar, participants will be
assigned reading material and links to relevant web content.
Coaching/Mentoring
Members of the Advisory Panel and alumni will serve as coaches and mentors to individual
participants and to project groups. They will augment the program director’s role in keeping
participants engaged, focused and on track during the course of the year and as they develop and
implement their group projects.
Calendar
Bergen LEADS is a year-long program beginning in September and concluding in June of the
following year. Participant applications are solicited beginning in January with a submission
deadline of April 15; participants will be selected by May 31 and attend an Orientation Luncheon in
June.
Month Days Topics – Design
September 1.5 Overnight retreat - team building, leadership skills assessment, Bergen
County overview*, intro to community trusteeship
October 1 Issue Day - speaker, experiential exercise, field activity, debriefing and
reflection
November 1 Issue Day (same model)
December 1 Issue Day, choose teams and class projects
January 1 Reflection Day - synthesize experiences thus far, leadership skill
building, community trusteeship, class projects (with dinner)
February 1 Issue Day
March 1 Issue Day
April 1 Issue Day,
May 1.5 Reflection Day – overnight retreat, class project presentations
June .25 Graduation
*The overview of Bergen County will include (but not be limited to) information on demographics,
economic realities and disparities, municipal and county government, politics and civic engagement
(voting patterns, philanthropy, volunteerism).
Class Composition and Selection Process
The success of Bergen LEADS relies on recruiting 30 individuals who live and/or work in Bergen
County.
Diversity in the class is a critical factor which will make the experience richer for participants and of
greater value to the community as graduates become change agents in their own sphere. Bergen
LEADS encourages diversity in age, gender, geographic location, professional association,
socioeconomic level, education, race, ethnicity, religious belief, political convictions and life
experience.
The selection process begins with a written application to collect information on demographics,
education level, work experience, community involvement/service background and the reason for the
applicant’s interest in Bergen LEADS. The Selection Committee pares the applications down to 40-
45 qualified applicants; to ensure diversity, factors will be plotted on a matrix. The Selection
Committee will interview the final candidates and select 30 with four alternates (in the event
someone is unable to participate).
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
MARKETING
The greatest challenge that many leadership programs face is filling available slots in the program.
Because of the Volunteer Center’s excellent relationships with the corporate community, with other non-
profits and government institutions, and with educators and communities of faith, the organization is
uniquely positioned to promote the program and recruit a full complement of participants.
Marketing Goals
The goals of the Bergen LEADS marketing campaign are to:
1. Create an identity for Bergen LEADS
2. Generate visibility for Bergen LEADS
3. Attract a diverse pool of qualified applicants
4. Raise the visibility of the Volunteer Center
5. Attract a broad base of funders and supporters
6. Recognize supporters of Bergen LEADS
Primary Customer
Participants: adults who live and/or work in Bergen County. Although we seek diversity in all facets
of the applicant pool, marketing efforts will be targeted to reach adults between the ages of 35 and
60.
Benefits to participants:
1. Become part of a network of people who care about Bergen County and are eager to
make things happen
2. Develop understanding of key issues facing Bergen County in an interactive,
challenging learning environment
3. Gain insight into personal leadership style and learn how to be a more effective leader
4. Put new understanding of issues and leadership skills to work as a trustee of the future
of Bergen County
Funders/supporters: Individuals, businesses and foundations located in Bergen County or those that
support Bergen County programs.
Benefits to funders:
1. Invest in the creation of a strong network of innovative leaders for Bergen County
2. Participate in a high-level program with long-term implications for the future of the area
in which your company does business
3. Develop strong leaders who are equipped to solve challenges both in organizations
and in the community
4. Invest in the future of the community
5. Demonstrate commitment to your own community trusteeship/caretaking role
Product
Bergen LEADS is a year-long community leadership and learning experience for individuals who live
and/or work in Bergen County. The principal product is the comprehensive curriculum as well as
the pro-active alumni association that will evolve as the program matures.
Price
Bergen LEADS participants pay tuition of $2,000. Of that, $300 is paid by the participant personally,
and the remaining $1700 is paid by the sponsoring organization (usually their employer).
To ensure socio-economic diversity of the class, scholarships for up to 1/3 of the class (10 people)
will be available. There will be two full scholarships ($1950 – participant personally pays only $50)
and eight partial scholarships (up to $1700).
It is projected that tuition of $40,000 ($2,000 per each of 20 participants) will provide approximately
40% of the annual operating expenses. The remainder will be sought from corporations, foundations
and individuals.
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Place
Bergen LEADS seminars will take place in various locations throughout Bergen County.
Prospective Bergen LEADS participants are those individuals who live and/or work in Bergen
County. Bergen LEADS administrative offices will be housed in the Volunteer Center of Bergen
County, which is located in Hackensack.
Promotion
The Volunteer Center is part of many formal and informal networks within the County, covering all
sectors including business, non-profit, education, government, civic/service organizations and
communities of faith. Bergen LEADS will use multiple vehicles to outreach to these networks
regarding Bergen LEADS:
ONLINE
1. www.bergenleads.org and www.bergenleads.com - a Bergen LEADS website with
information about the program (including application process, cost, curriculum, expectations
program investment information, information about alumni and alumni activities) will be
developed.
2. Link to www.bergenleads.org on Volunteer Center website
3. Link to www.bergenleads.org on municipal/county websites
4. Presence on social networking sites (Facebook, MySpace)
5. Easy to search through Google, etc.
DIRECT MAIL and/or ELECTRONIC MAIL
1. Volunteer Center lists
a. Corporations (Northern New Jersey Business Volunteer Council (BVC),
corporate donors/sponsors, top employer lists)
b. Non-profit agencies (Boards of directors, employees, volunteers, clients)
c. Government agencies/municipalities
d. Faith communities (churches, synagogues, mosques)
e. Schools – send to PTA president, principal
2. Other lists – purchase list?
a. Chambers of Commerce
b. Community organizations (Rotary Clubs, Women’s Clubs, Junior League,
National Council of Jewish Women, UNICO, etc.)
3. Insertion in mailings of other organizations – to zip codes in Bergen County
a. Bill stuffers with select vendors
b. Insert in organizational newsletters (CPA Society, Medical Society, etc.)
PRINT MEDIA
1. Daily/weekly newspapers
a. The Record
b. Herald News
c. Star Ledger?
d. North Jersey Media Group weeklies
e. Other weeklies (VC media list)
2. Magazines
a. (201)
b. Bergen Health & Life
c. Business publications
d. Commerce Magazine (CIANJ)
e. BC
f. NJCEO
g. New Jersey & Company
3. Other print
a. Chamber of Commerce
b. Church bulletins
c. Volunteer Center newsletter
d. Rotary District 7490 newsletter
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
FACE-TO-FACE
1. Speakers for:
a. Service clubs (Rotary, NCJW, Junior League, etc.)
b. PTAs
c. Business/networking groups, Chambers of Commerce, CIANJ
d. Professional groups (Bar Association, CPA Society)
2. Host information events (breakfast, lunch, cocktail hour) in different parts of the county
a. Churches
b. Libraries
c. Educational institutions / higher ed
d. Corporations (host, but maybe not at corporate location)
i. Northwest – UPS, TD Banknorth
ii. Northeast – Hilton, KPMG, BMW, Benjamin Moore
iii. Southern – MWW, Quest, Kelly Services
iv. North – United Water
v. West – BD, Compensation Solutions
vi. Central – Cole Schotz, Ampere
vii. East – Citibank (Citibank branches required to have community events –
maybe do at other branches?)
3. Speak to elected officials: municipal, county, state, federal
4. Individual meetings with current leaders
a. Corporations
b. Religious leaders
c. Government officials
d. Educational leaders
PUBLIC SERVICE ANNOUNCEMENTS
Radio
TV
Cable
POSTERS/BROCHURES
1. Libraries
2. Corporations
3. Retail stores
4. Faith communities
5. Municipal buildings
6. Gyms/Spas
7. Private Clubs – country clubs, tennis clubs, etc.
8. Golf Courses
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Marketing Timeline
11/07 Develop logo/brand concept EFitz Art and Volunteer Center
12/07 Write text for web pages Volunteer Center
Design website (front end) EFitz
Write text for brochure and poster Volunteer Center
Design collateral materials EFitz
1/08 Website created (backend) Vendor to be named
Collateral materials printed
Press releases Volunteer Center
2/08 Website live (Feb 1)
Applications available (online, print) Volunteer Center
Press conference to announce LEADS Volunteer Center, Corporate partners,
Chambers, CIANJ, elected officials, Bergen
Community College (host site?)
Regional LEADS info sessions Volunteer Center, partners
Speak to groups Volunteer Center
3/08 Continue speaking, info sessions Volunteer Center
Press releases Volunteer Center
4/08 Final push for applications
Applications due for Class of 2009
(4/18)
5/08 Class of 2009 selected
Press release announcing class Volunteer Center
6/08 Community Forum
Introduce Class of 2009
Deliverables:
Brand identity
Stationery
Brochure
Poster
Website
Banner for e-mails
Email newsletter
for prospective funders
for prospective applicants
for participants (as soon as accepted through completion)
for alumni
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
ADMINISTRATION AND OVERSIGHT
Staffing
Based on direction provided by the Curriculum Committee of the Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel,
Bergen LEADS will be administered by a 25 hour/week Program Director supported by a 10
hour/week Administrative Assistant. Together, they manage all program operations.
A part-time Seminar Director will be engaged who will report to the Program Manager and have
direct responsibility for the community issue content of each seminar. Selection of the Seminar
Director will be by the Program Director, with advice of the Curriculum Committee and full Advisory
Panel. The Seminar Director selects relevant reading material, identifies appropriate panel speakers
and venues for field experiences, begins each Issue seminar day by framing the issue for
participants, and is involved in Reflection seminar days as needed to synthesize what has been
learned to date.
Oversight
The Board of Directors of the Volunteer Center of Bergen County has ultimate oversight for Bergen
LEADS. A member of the Volunteer Center’s Board of Directors is appointed to chair the Bergen
LEADS Advisory Panel.
The program is reviewed on a regular basis by the Strategic Planning Committee of the Volunteer
Center board, which makes recommendations to the board regarding the viability and continued
operation of the program. The Volunteer Center’s Finance Committee monitors interim financial
reports, including revenue and expenses, and annually reviews the program budget, which is
submitted to the full board for approval as part of the agency’s annual budget.
The Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel will determine the ongoing focus and direction of the program.
The Advisory Panel meets quarterly to review seminar evaluations and participant/sponsor
feedback.
The Bergen LEADS program director reports to the Volunteer Center’s executive director, who also
sits on the Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel and is an ex-officio member of the Volunteer Center’s
Board of Directors. The performance of all employees is evaluated at least annually.
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
FUND DEVELOPMENT/SUSTAINABILITY
Start-up
Start-up budget: $62,500
Challenge grant (received): $31,250
Need to raise by 12/31/07: $31,250
Corporations
Develop prospect list from companies with which the Volunteer Center and/or members of the
Advisory Panel have an existing relationship: BVC companies, event sponsors, prospects
a. Tier One – face-to-face visit/ask
b. Tier Two – phone call/letter
Foundations
Since grant cycles at most foundations are longer than two months, seek commitments from
pending grant applications and permission to apply funding to challenge grant
Individuals
Work with individuals on Advisory Panel to identify and solicit individuals who have the ability to
make a substantial gift within the time constraint.
Operating/ongoing
Annual operating budget: $105,000
Income
Tuition: 40,000
20 participants x $2000
Scholarships: 20,000
10 participants x $2000
To be raised:
Scholarships 20,000
Corporate/Foundation Support 45,000
Development Plan
1. Develop Program Investment Plan for foundation, corporate and individual supporters
2. Develop and implement solicitation plan
a. Foundations
i. Research prospects
ii. Develop prospect lists
iii. Send out letters of inquiry
iv. Develop and send proposals
b. Corporations
i. Ask companies that supported start-up to support operations
ii. Research prospects
iii. Develop prospect lists – focus first on companies with which the VC and/or
members of the Advisory Panel have relationships (Tier One)
iv. Secure appointment to meet with Tier One companies
v. Send letter to Tier Two companies
vi. As list of alumni grows, also approach employers who have a Bergen LEADS
graduate on staff
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
c. Individuals
i. Develop prospect list
ii. Contact prospects personally
iii. Cultivate new prospects by inviting to seminars and/or graduation
d. Fundraising Event
i. After first class has graduated, create alumni committee to create signature
Bergen LEADS fundraising event
ii. Present event annually, beginning in 2009
3. Provide adequate and appropriate stewardship of all funds contributed in support of Bergen
LEADS
a. Acknowledge pledges/contributions immediately upon receipt
b. Provide periodic updates on the program
c. Recognize donors at annual graduation ceremony
d. Involve donors in alumni events as appropriate
e. Recognize donors in Annual Report, newsletters, press releases, etc. as desired and
appropriate
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
MEASURING SUCCESS
The success of Bergen LEADS depends on delivering timely, relevant information in an interesting,
interactive experiential way to a diverse group of adults who live and or/work in Bergen County. Program
participants and graduates will develop a Bergen LEADS network, and will participate actively in alumni
activities upon graduation.
Monthly Seminars
A number of tools will be used to solicit feedback on the monthly seminars, including pre- and post-
seminar participant surveys and limited one-on-one interviews with participants. In addition to rating
the learning experience, participants will be asked to indicate whether they are more inclined to
become involved in creating solutions to challenges which surface as a result of the seminar.
Seminar Year
Each participant will be asked to rate the seminar year as a whole by completing a participant
survey. Each participant will also be asked to participate in an exit interview.
Sponsor/Employer Feedback Loop
The sponsor or employer of each participant will be asked to note any changes in leadership ability
or interaction with others; feedback will be collected in February and June of the class year, as well
as in December following completion of the program.
Participant Engagement in the Community
Participants will be given an assessment prior to participating in Bergen LEADS to gauge knowledge
of community issues, leadership style and skills and trusteeship. Another survey will be given post-
Bergen LEADS and one year later.
Alumni Involvement
One criterion for the success of Bergen LEADS is to have 75% of the alumni actually engaged
in the Bergen LEADS alumni organization. This engagement will be evidenced by:
1. Alumni who pay dues annually
2. Alumni who serve on alumni organization committees
3. Alumni who call on the Bergen LEADS network to get things done
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Start-Up Budget (pre-launch)
July 2007 – May 2008
Income
Challenge Grant - Redlich Horwitz 31,250
Corporate/Foundation/Indiv donors 31,250
Total Income 62,500
Expenses
Salaries 30,000
Rent/phone/insurance/office 2,000
supplies/maintenance/accounting & prof'l fees
Marketing materials 0
Graphic design 5,000
Printing 2,500
Website design 8,000
Website maintenance 2,000
Advertising 5,000
Postage 2,000
Dues/membership 300
Conferences/travel 3,000
Steering Committee Meetings 200
Community needs assessment 2,500
Total expenses 62,500
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Annual Operating Budget (after launch)
Income
Tuition/Paid by participant 40,000 20 participants @
$2,000 each
Tuition/Paid by Scholarships 20,000 10 participants @
$2,000 each
supported by
scholarships
Corporate contributions 25,000 5 corporations @
$5000 each
Foundations 20,000
Total income 105,000
Expenses
Salaries & Fringe 52,000 Director: 25
hrs/week; Assistant:
10 hrs/week
Rent/phone/insurance/supplies/maintenance/accounting 6,000 General overhead
& prof'l fees expenses
Website Maintenance 1,500
Postage 1,000
Dues/membership 500
Conferences/travel 3,000 For staff
0
SEMINAR EXPENSES 0
Seminar director 4,800 12 hr mo x $50/hr x
8 months
Speaker honoraria 7,200 $150/speaker 6
speakers/mo for 8
months
Curriculum/participant materials 4,500 30 people @
$150/person
Printing/copying 2,000
Opening retreat 5,000
Transportation 2,000
Food 11,000 35 people @
$35/day for 9
months
Graduation ceremony 2,500
Awards, recognition, t-shirts 1,000
Miscellaneous 1,000
Total expenses 105,000
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Program Investment Opportunities
Bergen LEADS is a community leadership program for adults living and/or working in Bergen County. Each
year, a diverse group of 30 emerging leaders is selected to participate in a series of 10 monthly seminars which
focus on issues affecting Bergen County, leadership skills and trusteeship. Through this intense education
process, class members will be better prepared to lead their own organizations in supporting multi-sector
solutions to key County issues. During the program, class members will also engage in team projects
addressing specific, short-term needs that will both demonstrate their leadership skills and make an immediate
contribution to our community.
The program is sponsored by the Volunteer Center of Bergen County, one of the area’s most respected non-
profit organizations. Approximately 40% of the Bergen LEADS budget comes from tuition paid by the
participants and their sponsoring organizations. The other 60% - including funds for scholarships that will
assure diverse participation from all sectors – comes from corporate, foundation and individual donors.
We invite you to invest in the future of Bergen County by supporting Bergen LEADS. We have detailed several
options here, or would be happy to craft an investment plan to meet your specific giving objectives.
PROGRAM INVESTMENT OPPORTUNITIES
An investment in Bergen LEADS pays dividends for you and for the community. Contributions will be
recognized in all Bergen LEADS promotional materials, including the brochure and website, and will be used
for curriculum development, seminar materials, subject experts, scholarships, class projects and program
support. All monies contributed in support of Bergen LEADS will be restricted to the Bergen LEADS program.
Legacy ...............................................................................................................$30,000+
Sustainer ...........................................................................................................$15,000 - $29,000
Legacy and Sustainer levels may be multi-year commitments
Benefactor .........................................................................................................$10,000
Champion ..........................................................................................................$7,500
Patron ................................................................................................................$5,000
Supporter ..........................................................................................................$2,500
Contributor ........................................................................................................$1,000
SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES
Scholarship Donor.............................................................................................$2,000
To ensure diverse representation from all sectors, scholarships will be available for up to 1/3 of the class (10
participants).
Community Forum .............................................................................................$500 - $5,000
Each June, Bergen LEADS will present a Community Forum on an issue selected by the prior year’s class.
Representatives from all sectors of the community will be invited to engage in discussion around the chosen
issue. The Forum will be followed by a celebration for the graduating Bergen LEADS class and introduction of
members of the next class.
IN-KIND GOODS AND SERVICES
Bergen LEADS welcomes support through the contribution of in-kind goods and services.
VOLUNTEER ASSISTANCE
Bergen LEADS relies on the input, expertise and efforts of many volunteers. Committee opportunities include
Curriculum Development/Oversight, Resource Development, Marketing/Recruitment and Admissions/Selection.
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Bergen LEADS Strategic Operating Plan
Bergen LEADS Advisory Panel
David Warshaw Frank Scandale
CHAIR Editor
VISTAS Volunteer Management Solutions The Record
(Former GE executive and head of GE’s
global volunteer program) William “Pat” Schuber
Former County Executive
Lynne Algrant
Consultant Richard Segall
(Formerly with Cleveland Foundation) Assistant Superintendent for Operations
Englewood Public Schools
Debbie Aronson
Volunteer Center Board of Directors Norman Seiden
(among others) Philanthropist
Hector O. Banegas, CTFA Janet Sharma
Senior Vice President/Financial Planner Executive Director
Wachovia Wealth Management Volunteer Center of Bergen County
Ellen Jacobs John R. Smith
National Council of Jewish Women Director, Corporate Responsibility
(among others) PSE&G
Alan Levine Tom Toronto
Cole, Schotz, Meisel, Forman & Leonard President
Hackensack, NJ 07601 Bergen County's United Way
Rev. Dr. Wanda M. Lundy David Yanagisawa
Pastor, The Church on the Edge Volunteer Center Board member and
Edgewater, NJ Senior Vice President
TD Banknorth
Dr. Peter Mercer
President Staff Liaison:
Ramapo College Amanda Missey
Director, Training and Business Services
Susan Russ Volunteer Center of Bergen County
Director, Global Communications
Reader’s Digest Association
Dr. G. Jeremiah Ryan
President
Bergen Community College
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