Appreciative Inquiry Proposal Sample
Susanowood@toast.net
February 1, 2001
Ms X,
Director of XXXXX
Dear X,
It was a pleasure to meet with you last week to discuss the possibility of board projects with XXXX
and the XXXX. Appreciative Inquiry would be an excellent approach and philosophy to use in a
planning process. I am interested in working with you to unleash and focus board members energy
in a positive and productive direction.
This letter summarizes what I heard and proposes an approach with fee estimates. You have
copies of The Thinbook of Appreciative Inquiry for further background on AI.
What I heard you want:
 Greater self-sufficiency, responsibility, direction on the part of the boards
 Raise more money given the investment of time and energy of staff
 Less duplication of work - meetings, luncheons, parties, trips (high demands)
 More direct benefit to patients through fundraising and service projects
 To reinvigorate and sustain successful service projects
 Less scorekeeping and more cooperation/collaboration between the two groups
 To grow membership with productive new members
You will be talking with key board members to test interest in a planning process. Each group of
leaders will determine when they are ready to start. I suggested that we introduce the idea at a
board meeting, outline the process and try out AI by doing appreciative interviews. At that point
board leaders would decide to move ahead, or not.
I am recommending a seven-month process, with the intent of having “big ideas” ready for
implementation in the fall. You can expect some early changes in board energy and behavior, once
the AI process begins. And, the board’s planning results will benefit fall 2001, 2002 activities and
beyond. Boards will need to dedicate time and effort during and between monthly board meetings,
including holding extra meetings some months. A 2-day Summit is held as an important culminating
activity, with outside stakeholders represented. The pace can be shifted, either faster or slower,
depending on the commitment level and sense of urgency.
While I will be the project lead and contact point for you, it may be beneficial to bring in XXX
and/or XXX for board consultations or large meetings, especially if both boards decide to engage
simultaneously.
Appreciative Inquiry Proposal Sample
Susanowood@toast.net
Proposed Approach
A graphic outline of an AI planning process is included with this letter in a separate file – graphic
plan XXXX Development.ppt. It covers the 4D’s – Discover, Dream, Design and Deliver. Tasks,
participants and estimated time frames for each set of activities are outlined. Each group will
confirm and refine these as we work.
Our Partnership
It is my understanding that you, XXXX, would be the sponsor and buyer for this endeavor, and that
both you and XXXX would get the project started and provide leadership and counsel along the way
to both the board leaders and the consultant(s). We will discuss what organizing support you will
provide and what will be board responsibility and consultant(s). As part of the process, we want to
build self-sufficiency in board members by setting it up that way.
Resources and Fees
You are billed for hours of work completed according to the plan and deliverables. Attached is a
chart that outlines activities, outcomes, board time commitment and estimated consulting fees.
This is a conservative estimate, assuming buy-in and relatively smooth progress. If complications
and delays occur, we will revisit time and cost commitments. My preference is to meet with you
monthly to discuss progress, costs and results to make sure we are on track.
I look forward to hearing from you about your interest in board planning.
Susan O. Wood
Corporation for Positive Change
717 964 3069
Susanowood@toast.net
Appreciative Inquiry Proposal Sample
Susanowood@toast.net
4 D Cycle Activity
Pre-discovery February
Introduce to
board/experience AI
Go/no go
Define focus
Identify steering
committee
Introduce to
board/enlist
volunteers
Discovery – March June
Develop Topics
Draft questions
Design, pilot and
finalize interview
guide, ID interviewers
Train interviewers
Conduct interviews
Debrief
interviews/synthesize
stories
Dream and Design July
Schedule, invite and
plan Summit
Conduct Summit:
Positive core, PP’s,
action teams
Deliver – August
Implement and follow
up
TOTAL
Outcome/deliverable
Estimated hours/days
– board meeting time
and work hours
Understand AI,
propose process
Decision point
Purpose and desired
outcomes, plan/dates
Key
leaders/participants
Commitment and
launch
Meeting 1: 2.5 hours
Estimated consulting
fees per cycle to
design, plan, deliver
$X000
(meeting 1)
Meeting 2: 1 hour
(Meeting 2)
Meeting 3: 3.5 hours
$X000
3-5 topics for
focus/lead-ins
Questions by topic
Draft interview guide
Prepared interviewers
Gather stories (data),
develop relationships
with stakeholders
Highlight stories,
identify what works
and what they do well
(Meeting 3)
(Meeting 3)
Email and conference
call review.
Meeting 4: 2 hours
Meeting 5: 2 hours
1.5 hours X #
interviews
Email and phone
counsel
Mini-meetings, Email,
conf calls, storyboard
or Db.
$X000
(2 consultants)
Summit participant
list, logistics, meeting
design
Positive core, PP’s,
action plans and teams
Meeting 6: 2 hours
debrief stories and
plan Summit
Meeting 7: Summit 2
days
$X000
Progress, resources,
decisions
Meeting 8: 2 hours
$X,000