A Crew Chief's Perspective on
The Race to GED byStaceyWright
T
he pace car is heading around the track, and the field is moving forward, building momentum. The pit crew teams are standing ready to make adjustments. They watch intently as the field of cars accelerates toward full speed. As they roar past, it is clear which cars are from the same team, ready to help each other get to the front. The noise is deafening; the desire to go racing is clear. Strategiesarebeingquicklyandcarefullyformulated–whentopit,whento refuel,whattodoifthismisclutchbreaks thelinkageorthatmissedgearcausesa lossofspeed.Hoursofpracticeareput tothetest.Thepacecariseverready toregroupthepackandre-establishthe momentum.Thepressandthefansare watchingintently.Yourcompetitors arewatching.Thegreenflag isup.GO RACING! Crewchiefs(programmanagers) mustcarefullyformulatealloftheoptionsandanticipatethebumpsinthe road.Theymustberichindata–past, present,andprojected.Theymustbe abletospeakwithconfidence andclarityabouttheirwork.Thestartinglineis tobeawareofalloftherichnessofyour area.Ataminimum,eithercommitto memoryortoacomputerfile thislistof tools:censusinformation(area,state, andnation),nationalsurveysandstudies thathavegainedpopularityforquoted material,qualityimprovementmeasures, theNRSstandards,yourlocaldataasit relatestotheNRSgoals,theWorkforce InvestmentBoardmembersandcommittees(theirgoalsandpolicies),your area(s)povertylevels,theschoolsystem’s
PROGRESS:. Spring2004
useful data, the Chamber of Commerce goals as they relate to workforce development, every scrap of data you can gather about your own program’s performance, information from the mandated WIA partners, and the legislation (law and code) as it pertains to adult education. Know what is available from the state office and resource center. Know business needs. Find out what has made other teams successful, and familiarize yourself with your own crew’s capabilities and strengths. Know the other options for sponsors who are willing to come to the skybox and contribute. Know what makes them want to come to the skybox or even buy a ticket. Build your Race community, and fill it with knowledge about the workings of the race. Add to this list the components of progressive, continuous staff (crew) de-
velopment, extraordinary communicative abilities with all professional genres (administrative, instructional, school division(s), peers, and other participating agencies), and delivery of services to internal and external customers and you’ve got the beginnings of the race on championship night. Know the culture and the climate, and look for the fit. Toss in the research and development as the team’s commitment to stay at the top of the field forever. While all of this is occurring, please note that it is imperative to communicate with the other programs that are developing racing teams. Shared information keeps the entire sport at peak performance condition and spawns the spin off types of services that are equally as imperative to success. Crew conferContinued on page 13...
Partnerships with local drivers, businesses, and schools are a great way to market your program. Don’t forget other types of racing -- bicycle, foot, swimming, and horse races are all possible events at which you could raise awareness about your services.
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