BACKGROUND INFORMATION:

CIS of Memphis is part of the nation’s largest and most effective dropout prevention organization, empowering students to succeed in school and achieve in life. Operating in more than 2,300 schools in the most challenged communities of 25 states and the District of Columbia, Communities In Schools serves 1.5 million young people and their families each year. Based directly inside schools, Communities In Schools connects students and their families to basic and critical educational and community-based resources, that are tailored to each student’s specific needs.

CIS of Memphis (CISM) began as an embedded affiliate in the Communities In Schools of Tennessee network in 2014. CISM is now an independent affiliate operating exclusively in the greater Memphis area and focuses specifically on addressing the needs of local students and schools. We believe that every child, regardless of their ZIP code or family circumstance, deserves a chance to live the “American Dream.” We work to help secure that chance for children in Memphis and surrounding counties in West Tennessee.

 

MANAGEMENT ISSUES TO BE ADDRESSED/SCOPE OF WORK:

CISM engaged in its first strategic planning process in 2018, when the organization was just starting out. Thus, we were focused on mission and programmatic development, coupled with the concerns of a new “start-up” organization. We found the strategic planning process, and the roadmap it created, to be a productive way to focus the board and staff on the tangible needs of the organization at that time.

Presently, CISM recognizes this critical moment in U.S. history: the confluence of historical and present inequities in our communities and the social, economical, and educational disruption of the COVID-19 pandemic. Black, Brown, and Indigenous students, some of whom are also living in poverty, are experiencing a differentiated set of impacts of national crises. This moment calls for schools, non-profits, businesses, governments, and communities to embrace a conversation around shifting the educational paradigm toward reengagement, equitable learning environments, and a school climate that benefits and supports ALL students. Beyond the physical needs of students and families, social and emotional support(s) are necessary for student reengagement. The CIS Model of Integrated Student Supports can help schools address the local factors contributing to disengagement and inequitable learning.

We look to our next plan to articulate the clear business, financial, and programmatic strategies which the organization will pursue over the next 3-years. We also expect that this process will mainly involve the Board and Staff of the organization, and that the process will last no longer than three months to complete.

The first strategic plan’s focal point was how to create a new organization which would be meaningful and relevant to our region. The focal point for our next plan is how to build on that work, and develop a sustainable financial, programmatic, staffing, and board model to ensure that this organization has sustainable success not only now, but also into the future. This plan will be focused more on the business plan that will support the organization’s mission. While we would like to recommit to our mission and values, we do not expect to engage in a re-evaluation of those mission and values.

In developing the 2021-2024 plan, the applicant selected for this project will be expected to: guide the organization in establishing its Strategic Planning Team, conduct interviews and facilitate all working sessions with the Team and other key Board and staff members, and perform a SWOT analysis. Based on the analysis, specific goals will be identified and, ultimately, the consultant will develop a final strategic plan that provides CISM with clear objectives and action steps that lead to achieving organizational goals. The strategic plan will also include information on effectively monitoring progress and how and when CISM should reassess goals, objectives, and action steps to make sure that they are still relevant and reflect environmental changes that may impact CISM’s ability to implement plan and recommendations.

Specific areas that need to be addressed in the creation of a 3-year strategic plan include, but may not be limited to:

 

• • An environmental scan that examines internal and external opportunities and perceptions impacting the organization’s ability to achieve mission.

• • A thorough assessment of infrastructure needs including, but not limited to space, technology, human capital and financial resources

• • The development of a sustainable financial and programmatic model to achieve goals.

The proposal will provide an executive summary of the work that will be performed by the consultant and a detailed work breakdown structure, with time frames, of the steps that will be taken to develop a strategic plan.

 

GLOBAL PROJECT REQUIREMENTS & TIMELINE:

 

1. 1. CISM is seeking proposals from applicants who are capable of addressing all of the above stated management issues and who can provide additional expertise to help the organization and the community it serves achieve a successful project outcome.

1. 1. While CISM understands that completing this project requires significant and active Board and staff involvement, it is important to note that the applicant selected will be responsible for completing all project work products and final deliverables (e.g. writing organizational assessments, writing the actual strategic plan, etc.). The staff will not be expected to be involved in writing work project products or final project deliverables.

1. 1. Applicants are to propose which aspects of the project will require Board and/or staff involvement and include the expected time requirements for all activities involving their participation.

1. 1. Proposals must include a clear description of the applicant’s plan to complete all of the project components (i.e. in what order will the projects be completed, how long each component will take to complete, etc.).

1. 1. Applicants must include in their project timelines “check-in” points for CISM to be provided with project status updates. As work products/deliverables are completed prior to the established check-in points, applicants will be required to send CISM these materials to facilitate the status update meetings and/or conference calls. The successful applicant will be responsible for setting up the check-in meetings/calls, preparing an agenda for each meeting/call, sending out meeting invites and writing meeting minutes.

1. 1. In addition to the check-in meetings and/or conference calls, the applicant will be expected to present a status update on her/his preliminary findings and recommendations prior to writing the final project deliverables and strategic plan.

1. 1. CISM will be responsible for implementing the recommendations from all final deliverables; however, it is expected that the consultant selected will provide the agency with ongoing coaching and implementation support as needed, per the letter of agreement.

1. 1. It is expected that the total cost for this project will not exceed $30,000.

EVALUATION CRITERIA:

In awarding a contract for consulting services to develop a long-range strategic plan for the organization, CISM will examine a number of factors and criteria will include:

 

1. 1. The extent to which the proposal addresses the stated management issues and clearly describes the scope of work.

1. 1. Specific plans or methodology to be used to perform the services.

1. 1. Qualifications and experience of the consultant in providing strategic planning development.

1. 1. Availability for work to be conducted during April, May, and June with a strategic plan draft presented to the CISM board no later than their July 2021 board meeting.

1. 1. Project cost.

APPLICATION PROCESS & PROCEDURES:

Please provide a complete written response to this RFP which is double-spaced and does not exceed 15 single-sided pages. Proposals should include:

 

1. 1. Contact Information

1. 1. A brief Executive Summary

1. 1. A description of the applicant’s general approach to strategic planning consultation, including methodology, perspective, or philosophy that guides your work with organizations in this undertaking

1. 1. A clear explanation of how the consultant will address the management issues to be examined at CISM

1. 1. A list of project deliverables to be created with a detailed timeline for each deliverable and overall project completion

1. 1. A detailed budget that breaks out expenses

1. 1. Resumes, Credentials and qualifications of key personnel who will take responsibility for working directly on this project, including three references

1. 1. Example(s) of a finished strategic plan created by your company.

Applicants must submit one (1) original paper copy and one (1) electronic copy of the proposal. Please note that CISM will not return any proposals it receives and will not reimburse applicants for any costs they incur in developing their proposals.

 

Send completed proposals, by February 24, 2021 ,

to Sonji Branch @ sbranch@cismemphis.org

and to:

Communities In Schools of Memphis
2714 Union Ave. Ext., Suite 225
Memphis, TN 38112