Maryland Humanities Council

1. Maryland Humanities Council • Old Mission: The purpose of the Maryland Humanities Council (MHC) is to create and disseminate programs that: • Broaden an individual’s understanding and appreciation of our common — and diverse — heritage, traditions, and culture; • Promote constructive and meaningful projects on the value and role of the Humanities to better our personal, civic, and professional lives; • Engage citizens and the academic and cultural communities in statewide dialogues designed to enhance our quality of life. • Old Paradigm: • Academic Disciplines (Body of Knowledge) MHC Public Humanities Programs Marylanders

2. Maryland Humanities Council Strategic Plan as of May 12, 2006 Revised Mission Statement: The MHC stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders. Recommended Goals (View as a continuum where overlaps are intentional):

3. Maryland Humanities Council Proposed Strategic Plan Operating Paradigm May 12, 2006 MHC stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders NEW MISSION

4. Maryland Humanities Council Proposed Strategic Plan Operating Paradigm May 12, 2006 How do we identify critical issues shaping the lives of Marylanders? How do we interact and with whom should we interact? Who are we? MHC What is our impact? stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders How do we prepare ourselves? NEW MISSION Why do we exist? Why are we needed? How do we evaluate our effectiveness? KEY INTERNAL QUESTIONS

5. Maryland Humanities Council Proposed Strategic Plan Operating Paradigm May 12, 2006 Academic Disciplines Civic Organizations Individuals How do we identify critical issues shaping the lives of Marylanders? How do we interact and with whom should we interact? Who are we? MHC What is our impact? stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders Arts & Culture Organizations Schools (K-12) How do we prepare ourselves? NEW MISSION Professional and Business Organizations Why do we exist? Libraries Why are we needed? How do we evaluate our effectiveness? KEY INTERNAL QUESTIONS History Organizations Government Higher Education Other Funders PARTNERS

6. Maryland Humanities Council Proposed Strategic Plan Operating Paradigm May 12, 2006 Develop partnerships to leverage and maximize the impact of Council’s programs. Academic Disciplines Create and support public Ensure that the Council has appropriate governance staffing, internal systems, assessment and evaluation, and finance resources. programs that use humanities discipline to explore the human experience. Civic Organizations Individuals How do we identify critical issues shaping the lives of Marylanders? How do we interact and with whom should we interact? Who are we? MHC What is our impact? stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders Arts & Culture Organizations Schools (K-12) Engage the Council with groups and individuals that are representative of all Maryland constituencies. How do we prepare ourselves? NEW MISSION Professional and Business Organizations Why do we exist? Establish the Council Libraries Why are we needed? as the leading How do we evaluate our effectiveness? statewide organization that uses the humanities KEY INTERNAL QUESTIONS to stimulate and inform History Organizations civic discourse. Government Higher Education Other Funders Institutionalize a process PARTNERS for working with Marylanders- Obtain new and/or increased sources of funding to implement the mission. both individuals and organizations-to identify critical issues and themes. GOALS

7. Maryland Humanities Council Proposed Strategic Plan Operating Paradigm May 12, 2006 Create “listening posts” in communities throughout Maryland. Develop partnerships to leverage and maximize the impact of Council’s programs. Review and assess outcomes annually. Use resources strategically. Academic Disciplines Create and support public Ensure that the Council has appropriate governance staffing, internal systems, assessment and evaluation, and finance resources. programs that use humanities discipline to explore the human experience. Civic Organizations Individuals Identify other MD organizations with compatible goals that can leverage and maximize the impact Council’s programs. How do we identify critical issues shaping the lives of Marylanders? How do we interact and with whom should we interact? Who are we? MHC What is our impact? Align all communications with the mission. stimulates and promotes informed dialogue and civic engagement on issues critical to Marylanders Arts & Culture Organizations Schools (K-12) Engage the Council with groups and individuals that are representative of all Maryland constituencies. How do we prepare ourselves? NEW MISSION Professional and Business Organizations Why do we exist? Establish the Council Libraries Why are we needed? as the leading How do we evaluate our effectiveness? statewide organization that uses the humanities KEY INTERNAL QUESTIONS to stimulate and inform History Organizations civic discourse. Government Develop an effective board committed to accomplishing mission and goals. Higher Education Other Funders Partner with like-minded organizations to sponsor public programs. Institutionalize a process PARTNERS for working with Marylanders- Obtain new and/or increased sources of funding to implement the mission. both individuals and organizations-to identify critical issues and themes. GOALS Showcase MHC progress through diverse media, including TV and radio. Actively pursue government, individual, corporate and foundation funding. TACTICS