Rosemead Citizens for Science - Business Plan,
Working Draft
Ryan Yamada
April 8, 2007
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Contents
1 Executive Summary
1.1 Objectives . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.2 Mission . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
1.3 Keys to Success . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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2 Organization Summary
2.1 Organization Ownership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.2 Start-Up Plans . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
2.3 Organization Locations and Facilities . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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3 Market Analysis Summary
3.1 Market Segmentation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
3.2 Market Needs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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4 Strategy and Implementation
4.1 Strategy Pyramids . . . . .
4.2 Value Proposition . . . . . .
4.3 Competitive Edge . . . . . .
4.4 Strategic Alliances . . . . .
4.5 Milestones . . . . . . . . . .
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Summary
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5 Web Plan Summary
6 Management Summary
6.1 Organizational Structure
6.2 Management Team . . .
6.3 Management Team Gaps
6.4 Personnel Plan . . . . .
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7 Financial Plan
7.1 Important Assumptions . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.2 Projected Cash Flow . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
7.3 Long-term Plan . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
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1
Executive Summary
1.1
Objectives
Improve math and science education and preparation at Rosemead High School.
1.2
Mission
Rosemead Citizens for Science (hereafter RCS), consists of alumni, businesses,
citizens, teachers, and educational administrators dedicated to improving science
education in the El Monte Union High School District (EMUHSD) in general, and
at Rosemead High School (RHS) in particular. We will apply our expertise and
understanding to improve the opportunities for secondary students by working for
improved experimental facilities, a rigorous curriculum, scholarships, and mentoring by alumni and local scientists. We will help Rosemead students acquire the
skills needed to compete in the 21st century and provide the talent that will lead
to prosperity, safety, and a greater quality of life for all in the San Gabriel Valley.
1.3
Keys to Success
• A dedicated set of volunteer alumni
• Regular (monthly) meetings
• Cooperative partnerships with local community interests
• Access to human and financial resources
• Coordination with existing organizations to avoid redundancy or misunderstandings
• web-based resources and organization
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Organization Summary
2.1
Organization Ownership
RCS is a not-for-profit organization.
2.2
Start-Up Plans
RCS will focus on augmenting existing co-curriccular offerings at RHS to improve
scientific preparation and critical thinking skills for students. In addition, we
will work with teachers, administrators, and community members to improve the
content and quality of instruction in math and science courses. Initial plans involve
the following:
• compiling an alumni database
• compiling a speaker database from local scientists and engineers
• seek additional resources for counseling and career services
• connecting teachers to local, regional, and national training conferences and
educational resources
• seek additional funding for textbooks and lab equipment - the latter at RHS
proper or at an EMUHSD-owned laboratory
Future plans may include:
• working with PTA volunteers to create a climate of organization and professionalism among students and student organizations
• seek partnerships between RHS and local colleges and industry in the form
of mentors, volunteers and other resources
• build upon existing partnerships between Southern California Edison (SCE)
and RHS to develop engineering mentoring and internship programs
• encouraging the development and deployment of a computer programming
course
• work with primary and middle schools to develop a coherent K-12 science
education curriculum benchmarks
2.3
Organization Locations and Facilities
RCS has no headquarters, but operates from private residences and public meeting
places in the Rosemead area.
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Market Analysis Summary
3.1
Market Segmentation
There are no existing science education advocacy organizations in Rosemead. Currently there are two student-led organizations related to college education and
science education:
• Academic Decathlon
• California Scholarship Federation
• Gifted and Talented Education
• Science Olympiad
3.2
Market Needs
The National Science Foundation, the American Association for the Advancement
of Science, and the Bush Administration have all indicated a potential crisis in
the number and quality of Americans employed in the science, math, engineering,
and technology (STEM) workforce. The STEM workforce is the foundation of the
modern service economy, and one of the few remaining sources of high-paying,
relatively stable jobs with relatively low economic and social barriers to entry. For
this reason, many recently immigrated minorities pursue careers in science and
engineering. (source) The future of the economy of America and its communities
depends upon the ability to equip and train our children with the skills and tools
needed to compete in an ever globalized economy.
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Strategy and Implementation Summary
4.1
Strategy Pyramids
Strategy:
• Establish institutional legitimacy and credibility
• Establish programs and plans of action
• Build a coalition of interest groups to facilitate institutional changes
Tactics:
• Identify and develop relationships with insiders who have a personal or professional interest in change
• Set agenda for hiring practices to promote and reward positive contributions
to science education and innovation
• Keep regular meetings to maintain momentum and share information
• Partner with regional and national organizations that have the same purpose
to expand resource base and expertise
• Promote message through town-hall meetings, press releases, and local editorials
• Prepare brief informational handouts for officials and interested parties on
the state of science education, the need for quality STEM workforce preparation, and the benefits of improved science education to the community.
Programs:
• regular e-mail updates for members on mailing list
• alumni networking and mentoring program
• public presentations on science
• teacher workshops
• student career planning workshops
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4.2
Value Proposition
RCS provides combines an outsider’s objectivity with an insider’s experience in
science education and the workplace requirements on scientists and engineers. A
quality math and science education is, in today’s economy, one of the few reliable tickets to economic prosperity and greater social access. This, in turn, leads
to economic development and a qualitative improvement in the qualify of life of
families and communities with members of the STEM workforce. Quality science
education is not in conflict with traditional values, but rather a core component
and means for preserving the cherished privileges of liberty, democracy, and faith
that are the foundation of the character and identity of the individual, family,
community, and nation.
4.3
Competitive Edge
As graduates of RHS and members of the STEM workforce, we are uniquely placed
to provide both anecdotal and research accounts of the needs of Rosemead students
in the areas of math and science. Also, as members of the community, we have
a strong interest in the success of its members and will continue to expand our
political, economic, and experiential capital. The majority of RCS members are in
their 20s, and therefore are in the perfect position to provide advice on college and
employment, while retaining accurate and timely information on the state of RHS,
both from personal recollections and observations from younger siblings currently
enrolled.
4.4
Strategic Alliances
RCS will seek strategic alliances with the following organizations, which represent
the major sources of economic, political, and personal capital in the community:
Public:
• El Monte Unified School District
• Muscatel Middle School
• Rosemead City Hall
• Rosemead High School
• Rosemead School District
Educational:
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• California Institute of Technology
• California Polytechnic - Pomona
• Harvey Mudd College/The Claremont Consortium
• Pasadena City College
Industry
• Rosemead Chamber of Commerce
• Southern California Edison
4.5
Milestones
The RCS executive committee has identified the following milestones: Short-Term:
• Develop cooperative agreements between RHS and community partners
• Compile and submit a database of speakers for RHS
• Compile and submit a database of alumni for RHS
• Work with school administration and PTA to identify areas for improvement
• Contact model schools and districts and identify strategies and programs
that can be exported to RHS
Medium-Term:
• Facilitate co-curricular and extracurricular programs targeted toward math
and science
• Secure resources for improved career counseling and education planning
• Develop a system for measuring progress in math and science education
quality and student comprehension
Long-Term:
• Develop, or assist in the development of, a coherent K-12 science education
plan and curriculum
• Export lessons from RCS experience to other districts
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Web Plan Summary
RCS currently has a blog (http://rosemeadscience.blogspot.com) and a Facebook
group (”Rosemead Citizens for Science”). Plans for a website will be developed
according to need and availability of a web programmer.
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Management Summary
6.1
Organizational Structure
The following committees will exist on a permanent basis, supplemented with
additional ad hoc committees as needed:
• Executive committee*
• Education committee
– education policy
– lesson plan resources
– teacher training
– teacher, administration, and school board relations
• Finance committee
– budget
– grant writing
– financial analysis
• Industry committee
– business relations
– corporate partnerships
– internship programs
• Public Relations committee
– press releases
– public presentations
– website management
*The executive committee will consist of the chairpersons of all standing committees.
Each committee will be chaired by an individual, chosen by election.
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6.2
Management Team
Ryan Yamada
Ryan Yamada (RHS ’01) was a member of the Rosemead High School Academic
Decathlon Team, CSF, and GATE. He also participated on the RHS Varisty golf
and Junior Varsity Cross-Country teams. Ryan graduated from Harvey Mudd
College with a B.S. in Physics, High Distinction in 2005. At Harvey Mudd College
he participated in and led the Mudders Making a Difference, a campus volunteer
organization that partnered with community members and the other organizations of the Claremont Colleges to provide service trips, blood and food drives,
and volunteer opportunities for the student community. Ryan participated in an
international seminar at the University of Rome, Tor Vergata in 2005 on the European Union. He is currently a National Science Foundation fellow and graduate
student at Cornell University in the Department of Astronomy.
6.3
Management Team Gaps
We are still seeking the following team members:
• Education policy expert: This individual should have experience working
with local government and education boards, and preferably has a Masters
in Public Administration. This individual would assist on a pro bono or paid
contract basis, until such time that RCS secures resources for a permanent
position of this nature.
• Website manager: RCS may need a website manager to maintain the blog, as
well as additional web-based materials, including a wiki and online database.
• Executive committee chairman: RCS will need an executive committee chairman with interest in science education and STEM workforce issues. In addition, this individual should reside in the Greater Rosemead area to facilitate
RCS operations.
6.4
Personnel Plan
April 2007: assign responsiblities to individuals April 2007 onward: seek and
recruit members to fill in management team gaps May 2007: annual report August
2007: elections
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7.1
Financial Plan
Important Assumptions
RCS assumes that most of our operations will take place on a pro bono basis. A
small fund for honoraria for speakers will be provided by private donors. In the
event that our financial needs expand, we will seek funding from private foundations, the National Science Foundation, and local and state public funds.
7.2
Projected Cash Flow
RCS will have zero cash flow until such time that it becomes necessary to expand
beyond our volunteer goals.
7.3
Long-term Plan
RCS will work with local education boards to draft and submit grants related to
our mission. As such, RCS cash flow should not be affected. In the event that we
provide scholarships and resources, we will solicit funds from local corporations,
state and local governments, community partners, private foundations, and federal
sources like the National Science Foundation.
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