This presentation is part of the 2015 RCE Conference of the Americas, 9-12 August 2015, Grand Rapids, USA

1. Strategic Planning Questions
1. How can we as a network help address our local urgent challenges?
Example Issue: Volunteers not enough time. Solution: set up unpaid Fellows program to get more volunteers (use USP
model)
From your RCE: top 2-3 local challenges you are facing; top strengths you
bring
2. How can we use the leverage of being a part of the international RCE network
to move mainstream organizations toward ESD and SD locally, regionally and
nationally? Example: Public Schools: Response: youth virtual conference moved the Grand Rapids public schools and
other school districts
From your RCE: top 2-3 mainstream organizations you want to influence.
3. With staff at UNU - How can we both contribute to and learn from the
organizations already working on urgent international issues: Examples: climate change
education, youth engagement, UNU priorities, quality education by the UN, IUCN, ministries of education, SDGs, etc.?

2. Principles for Planning:
Focus and Finish
 Plan small steps that you can finish in 2015-16
 Use the resources you have
 Put tasks in bite sized chunks
 Think “how can we”?
 It's ok to start with one – then trial in 1 or 2 places
 Benefits: Build champions, learn with a small trial group,
share learnings, fix problems on a small scale
 After this, plan to scale it up by sharing what you did and
helping others do it.

3. Group 1 – Addressing Local Challenges
Together
ITEM EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2
Issue Volunteers – burning out, not
enough people, not enough time
Need to generate hands on learning for
volunteers and foster sharing among RCEs
Solution Set up a local fellows program Exchange program between RCEs
Network
Mechanism
Share tools for setting up fellows
program.
Set up a working group to document and
support more RCE exchanges
2 Leads Organizations and contact
names
Organizations and contact names
Who else will
participate
Organizations and contact
names
Organizations and contact names

4. Group 2: Influencing Mainstream
Organizations
ITEM EXAMPLE
Mainstream Organization to
Influence
Association of mayors/municipal governments
Solution
Contact the association and say you have free gifts/benefits for
their members. How can you get this to their members/help grow
their initiative?
Article, newsletter announcement, website info describing emerging trend
and resources. Have them attend RCE meeting and praise them.
Network Mechanism
Professional development session for RCE members on how to
influence mainstream orgs.
Follow up session reporting on results.
2 Leads Organizations and contact names
Who else will participate Organizations and contact names

5. Group 3: Urgent International Issues
ITEM EXAMPLE 1 EXAMPLE 2 EXAMPLE 3
Issue Climate change Youth are disconnected, isolated
and frustrated; or apathetic
RCEs disconnected from
national and international similar
initiatives. Low profile. (e.g., 100
Resilient Cities, C40, USDN)
Solution
Education and civic
engagement in regional and
national efforts based on
quality policy information
Empower youth in a more
effective manner through
collection of quality practices and
connections to youth networks
Connect RCEs to other
international initiatives
Network
Mechanism
Central staff shares useful
policy briefs, connections,
information
Compile youth networks and make
them available to all RCEs,
platform to share quality practices
Share platforms, communication
strategies and strategic
connections with other initiatives.
2 Leads Orgs and contact names Orgs and contact names Orgs and contact names
Who will Orgs and contact names Orgs and contact names Orgs and contact names

6. Your Issues and Gifts
Record your issues and gifts – one per sticky note
- Issue or Gift
- Topic
- RCE and name
Place in either:
1. Local Challenges
2. Influencing Maintream Organizations
3. Urgent Internaional Issues

7. Group Tasks
1) Assign Roles:
– Recorder
– Facilitator (all encouraged to speak)
– Task Manager (do 3 issues, not just 1)
2) Review your list. Determine top items to address. Think
strategically.
- Consider what will have greatest impact and feasibility
- Two people willing to co-lead.
3) Develop solutions
4) Determine mechanisms needed to support this.
- Share what each group created.

8. Next Steps
Co-Leads Determine Next Steps
- Build tasklist and timeline. Include who will do it.
- Break into small, completable tasks.
Report Out
Celebration!

9. The Power of One RCE
One song can spark a moment
One flower can wake the dream
One tree can start a forest
One bird can herald spring
One smile begins a friendship
One handclasp lifts a soul
One star can guide a ship at sea
One word can frame the goal
One vote can change a nation
One sunbeam lights a room
One candle wipes out darkness
One laugh will conquer gloom
One step must start each journey
One word must start each prayer
One hope will raise our spirits
One touch can show you care
One voice can speak with wisdom
One heart can know what's true
One life can make the difference
You see, it's up to you!!