(Standard caveat, still only a single experience and not necessarily representative of all groups) Some updates a year on: General point: I did several things whilst ‘strategising’ (before term), then forgot about them in the ‘implementation’ (during term). For example, I made SMART goals each term, but only remembered them during the semester review. Would strongly recommend setting aside ~1hr per month, to read through your TOC and articles like this, in case you miss things. Backchaining: I didn’t do enough of it. SMART Goals for groups: I made them, didn’t hit most of them, and didn’t put too much stock in them. I think the specific numbers on goals (ie. 40 applications vs 30 applications) isn’t too important, because it’s not (fully) within your control and doesn’t much change what you do (you would advertise the same either way). However, having the ‘broad goals’ (X applicants) frames the actions you take (advertising), so those are useful as part of the backchaining process. SMART Goals for individuals: Tentatively EXTREMELY important. From experience, a semi-common failure this year was engaged members not doing much specific. Each person having goals gives: 1. Incentive to make progress; 2. Opportunity to meet/1-1 to check progress; 3. Clearer idea of what everyone is aiming towards. It’s also really hard to do without sounding like you’re giving people homework. I think it’s very useful to create a (sub?)group culture where the default expectation is that everyone has a goal they’re working on at all times. Suggestion: 1. Get your top 3 engaged organisers 2. Each set goals, have an accountability call/meeting each week to discuss progress (and actually hold each other accountable, the vibe should be ‘friendly, but if I haven’t done the thing I’m actually going to feel bad/embarrassed about it at the meeting’) 3. Add highly engaged people to the call/meeting slowly (like 1-2/month) until it becomes a norm among a set group. Outsourcing: Valuable—do it! Personal Development: Personally, I should have spent ~3hr/wk less on EA organising and applied for jobs instead. Still strongly agree with having someone else be responsible for your development (Vice-Prez being responsible for Prez). Safeguarding Values: Thanks for the link—article is now on my reading list! This didn’t come up much this year, but will be a good personal reminder for me next year. Opportunity vs Obligation: I think whenever you use an obligation framing, you should couple it with an opportunity framing. For example: “You really should give 10% of your income” is bad, sad and off-putting; “You really should give 10% of your income, because you can save several lives!” is better. (This second option might just be an opportunity framing in disguise). Socials/Development: Agree socials should come soon after events. We didn’t do this well enough. Resources: EA Groups Resource Centre should be your top group organiser bookmark. OSP was very useful before term, and less useful (but still net-positive) during term time, depending on if there were any issues to discuss.
(Standard caveat, still only a single experience and not necessarily representative of all groups)
Some updates a year on:
General point: I did several things whilst ‘strategising’ (before term), then forgot about them in the ‘implementation’ (during term). For example, I made SMART goals each term, but only remembered them during the semester review. Would strongly recommend setting aside ~1hr per month, to read through your TOC and articles like this, in case you miss things.
Backchaining: I didn’t do enough of it.
SMART Goals for groups: I made them, didn’t hit most of them, and didn’t put too much stock in them. I think the specific numbers on goals (ie. 40 applications vs 30 applications) isn’t too important, because it’s not (fully) within your control and doesn’t much change what you do (you would advertise the same either way). However, having the ‘broad goals’ (X applicants) frames the actions you take (advertising), so those are useful as part of the backchaining process.
SMART Goals for individuals: Tentatively EXTREMELY important. From experience, a semi-common failure this year was engaged members not doing much specific. Each person having goals gives: 1. Incentive to make progress; 2. Opportunity to meet/1-1 to check progress; 3. Clearer idea of what everyone is aiming towards.
It’s also really hard to do without sounding like you’re giving people homework. I think it’s very useful to create a (sub?)group culture where the default expectation is that everyone has a goal they’re working on at all times. Suggestion:
1. Get your top 3 engaged organisers
2. Each set goals, have an accountability call/meeting each week to discuss progress (and actually hold each other accountable, the vibe should be ‘friendly, but if I haven’t done the thing I’m actually going to feel bad/embarrassed about it at the meeting’)
3. Add highly engaged people to the call/meeting slowly (like 1-2/month) until it becomes a norm among a set group.
Outsourcing: Valuable—do it!
Personal Development: Personally, I should have spent ~3hr/wk less on EA organising and applied for jobs instead. Still strongly agree with having someone else be responsible for your development (Vice-Prez being responsible for Prez).
Safeguarding Values: Thanks for the link—article is now on my reading list! This didn’t come up much this year, but will be a good personal reminder for me next year.
Opportunity vs Obligation: I think whenever you use an obligation framing, you should couple it with an opportunity framing. For example: “You really should give 10% of your income” is bad, sad and off-putting; “You really should give 10% of your income, because you can save several lives!” is better. (This second option might just be an opportunity framing in disguise).
Socials/Development: Agree socials should come soon after events. We didn’t do this well enough.
Resources: EA Groups Resource Centre should be your top group organiser bookmark. OSP was very useful before term, and less useful (but still net-positive) during term time, depending on if there were any issues to discuss.