About the Academy | Current Courses | Membership Form

A.L.L. Strategic Plan- 2006-2010

1. Policy/Philosophy: Who we are.

Mission Statement: The Academy for Lifelong Learning at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (A.L.L. at CBMM) provides an informal forum and opportunity for learning for all program members. The Academy's program is available to anyone desiring to enhance life through continued learning experiences beyond and outside a formal classroom environment.

Vision Statement: Through the most effective use of the wisdom, talents, skills and initiatives of its members, and its relationship with the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, the Academy for Lifelong Learning seeks to remain a premier cooperative program for continuing education on the Mid-Shore.

Value Statements: The Academy for Lifelong Learning is committed to creating an atmosphere that fosters member communication, teamwork and dedication; encourages respect for alternative viewpoints and challenges member self-development through creative, innovative and affordable programs. The Academy for Lifelong Learning will include and engage its members in its operations, insuring that its activities are conducted with transparency, accountability, high quality and excellence.

2. Goals/Objectives:

2 A. Background: Since its inception in 2001, the Academy for Lifelong Learning has increased its annual membership from less than 100 to over 340 members, increased the number of annually offered courses from 5 to over 40, has assumed responsibility for maintaining a facility, and has remained financially self-sufficient and debt-free.

2 B. Discussion: The Academy's positive growth and development since 2001 result from favorable factors that include:

The presence on Maryland's mid Eastern Shore of a growing number of active and well educated retirees.

The continuous support provided to the Academy by the management and staff of the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.

The cooperative efforts of the Academy's membership in curriculum development, publicity and program administration.

The limited availability of post-secondary centers of learning on Maryland's mid Eastern Shore.

2 C. Recommendations: The Academy for Lifelong Learning needs to preserve what has been accomplished to date and, based upon opportunities that lie ahead, thru 2006-2010 time, to achieve the goals and objectives presented below. The specification of these goals and objectives recognizes the interactive and synergistic relationship that exists between the Academy's membership, curriculum, facility, relationship to the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum, and financial stability.

2 C. 1. Membership:
Sustain an annual membership of at least 340 members.

Achieve improved communication among the members

Achieve a greater sense of community and social interaction

Achieve a higher degree of volunteer participation and support

2. C. 2 Curriculum:
Increase the number of courses annually offered to approximately 60 ( about 15-20 per term)

Maintain the diversity of courses to satisfy the wide interests of the membership

Encourage more instructors/course leaders to volunteer

Explore partnerships and joint program development with other organizations

Provide better course descriptions

2. C. 3 Facilities:
Maintain and improve the classroom, meeting room, furnishings, audio-visual and internet accessibility afforded by The Learning Depot.

Maintain existing ties to offsite facilities (e.g. Audubon Society, Londonderry, William Hill, Historical Society, Garden Treasures etc)

2. C. 4 Administrative:
Achieve full staffing of the Academy's Committees

Establish an Administrative Standard Operating Procedure

Develop an administrative file system within the Academy Facility ( The Learning Depot)

2. C. 5 Relationship with the Maritime Museum:
Preserve current relationship

Strengthen ties through development of joint programs

Achieve greater staff participation/enrollment in Academy courses

2. C.6. Financial Stability:
Maintain an operational budget developed from an affordable program cost structure/revenue base

Achieve a Capital Improvement Budget

3. Strategy: Our Business Approach.

The Academy is an academic cooperative run by members who volunteer their time and talents. All members are encouraged to be active participants in all organization functions. The Academy endeavors to function with a minimum level of bureaucracy and degree of flexibility in its operations.

There are currently three operational volunteer committees that do the work of the Academy. These are 1) the Administrative Committee, 2) the Curriculum Committee and , 3) the Marketing Committee. A recommended fourth committee, the Membership Committee, would provide increased focus on achieving the Membership Goals and Objectives.

The Administrative Committee oversees the Academy's operations. The Curriculum Committee coordinates the development of the Academy's product; the courses the Academy offers. The Marketing Committee publicizes the Academy to the at-large public. The proposed Membership Committee would provide increased internal communication and social interaction amongst the membership.

The work of these operational committees is coordinated by the Executive Committee, members of which are elected and appointed. The elected members are the President, Vice-President, Secretary and Treasurer. Chairs of the Operational Committees are 'ex-officio' members of the Executive Committee. Additionally, the President may select several 'members at large' to assist in the operation of the Academy.

HOME | ABOUT US | WHAT TO SEE & DO | VISITOR INFO | EDUCATION & OUTREACH
MEMBERS & SUPPORTERS | NEWS & MEDIA | Copyright 2003, The Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum.