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The Cherry Valley Retreat

The formal launching of the current phase of the project began in a 3-day retreat at Cherry Valley [see appendix page XX for detailed agenda]. The objective of the retreat was to build some momentum toward organizing a concerted and systematic implementation effort across several counties. In this retreat, we used large group processes for developing 2^nd, 3^rd and final drafts of a vision, goals, objectives, and measures for the initiative (see section 5). As a result of this retreat, 8 counties ultimately agreed to coordinate their efforts – and this report reflects the efforts of those counties over the past 2 years.

The CLA  ILF

CLA equals Case Load Analysis                 ILF = Implementation Leadership Forum.

Put them together and you get a structure designed to manage a complex implementation activity. The ILF concept [see appendix page XX for details, roles, and functions] came from Gordon’s Organization Development work and was adapted to work for this particular implementation effort. The basic concept is illustrated below. (Note that Athens joined this effort in late 1999).

Representatives from each county attended monthly meetings in Columbus where the group worked through an evolving task list in pursuit of the previously identified objectives. There were subgroups that met between ILF meetings to hammer out initial positions or further develop ideas and concepts for the ILF. The ILF would then use group processes to build consensus for key elements of the model. As tasks were finished new ones were identified.

 This process has continued until the current day. It is this process that has enabled this diverse group to remain focused on its purpose.  

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