FY02 - NDSU Extension Service
PROGRAM #201 -  Community, Economic Development and Leadership

Program Planning Team: 

Carmel Miller (co-chair), Bill Klein, Brian Gion, Wally Eide, Gary Goreham, Kent Alderin, Randy Mehlhoff, Kathy Tweeten (co-chair), Dale Naze, Vanessa Hoines, Sharon Kickertz-Gerbig, Lynette Flage, Dan Folske, Chet Hill, Harvey Peterson, Mike Rose, Scott Hochhalter,  David Kraenzel, Linda Narum, Chip Poland, Ron Smith, Rudy Radke  

Overall Situation:   

Community, Economic and Leadership development and diversification of the economy have been priority concerns for North Dakota policy makers for several years.  The state’s economy traditionally has been dependent on agriculture and the energy industry.  Both of these key sectors have experienced economic difficulties since the early 1980s.  Many farm and ranch families have been looking for alternative income strategies to make up for low commodity prices.  Rural communities are loosing population as farms become larger and families move to urban areas for employment.  Loss of farm income seriously impacts local economies.  Rural retail sales declined resulting in decreased employment.  Services in rural areas have also decreased as a result of out-migration.  The 2000 Census revealed that North Dakota’s population grew only 0.5 percent from 1990 to 2000, and only 6 of the state’s 53 counties registered population gains.  Six of the state’s rural counties recorded population decreases of 20 percent or more, and an additional 20 counties had population decreases ranging from 10 to 20 percent.

Since 1992, the state’s primary sectors have registered substantial employment gains, but most of this growth has occurred in the urban centers.  For example, the agricultural processing and manufacturing sector recorded an increased of 6,800 jobs from 1992 to 1997, of which 55 percent was in the five urban center counties.  Similarly, the exported services sector (e.g., telemarketing, data processing) is estimated to have created about 9,000 jobs in North Dakota since 1990, but more than 75 percent of these jobs were located in the urban center counties (Coon and Leistritz 2001).

As North Dakota moves into the next century we must assist individuals to assess their opportunities for generating income and in obtaining employment in all areas of the state but especially in rural areas.  We must also take an active role in helping our communities to plan for the future.   

PROGRAM COMPONENT
COMMUNITY PLANNING, GRANT WRITING, TRADE SURVEY AND DATA ANALYSIS, FACILITATION 

Key Theme(s):      Community Development

Sub-committee: Brian Gion, Kent Alderin, Bill Klein, Randy Mehlhoff, Wally Eide, Kathy Tweeten 

Target  Audience: Community leaders, economic development professionals, extension agents and other professionals who work with decision makers and community groups who are responsible for the spending of public funds and/or who are interested in actively working on designing their community’s future. 

Outcomes:  

Educational Program: (specific training and outputs)  

Year One - 2002

·         Train the trainer in-service in “Vision to Action – Take Charge Too.”  Program will include publication, training curriculum, news releases, a one-day training session and hands on opportunity for “real” experiences to use the materials.

·         Self study facilitation training with chat room or videoconference using the Minnesota Facilitation Resources curriculum.

·         Evaluation tool will be developed to measure progress and impact.  

Year Two - 2003

·         Updating of the publication and face to face and video conferencing training will be provided on conducting community trade analysis

·         Grant writing state-wide workshop for community leaders, agents and other professionals.

·         Local facilitation of community and group planning efforts

·         Update publication “Do It Yourself, Community Development”

Year Three - 2004

·         Local facilitation of community and group planning efforts  

Year Four - 2005

·         Evaluation of community progress in implementation of community plans.

·         Monitor and measurement of selected community data for impact of programs (done in combination with economic development program). 

Evaluation:

Indicators:             

Number of contacts to agents for facilitation.
Number of persons participating in community meetings and activities
Changes in community attitude.
Population changes.
Club membership changes.
Changes in Retail Sales
Infrastructure changes
Amenity and service changes 

Individuals Responsible Include: 

Kathy Tweeten, Linda Narum, Brian Gion, Melanie Bauer-Dukart, Leadership Development Specialist, Larry Leistritz, Richard Rathge 

PROGRAM COMPONENT
COMMUNITY LEADERSHIP

Key Theme(s):      Community Development, Leadership Training and Development

Sub-Committee: Carmel Miller, Sharon Kickertz-Gerbig, Vanessa Hoines, Chip Poland 

Situation:  As rural communities struggle to survive, one of the key areas of greatest concern is the level of effective leadership skills in the community and the ability to recruit new leaders. 

Target Audience:

Existing leaders and potential new leaders from the community are the target audience. Existing leadership pool would include those individuals currently active in elected positions, government agencies, and community and civic organizations.

Outcomes:

Participants will learn:

Participants will:

o        become more active members in community groups.

o        acquire the skills and experience necessary to efficiently and effectively manage meetings

o        actively recruit and mentor new leaders from within the community

o        garner an appreciation for the duties of  committees and officers and the methodologies of efficient meeting management.

o        have a new appreciation for the responsibilities and duties of organizational membership and the skills necessary to accomplish business in an efficient manner, 

Educational Programs:

Content

Leadership skills are important to all organizations within a community.  Effective leadership skills can be taught.  Utilization of these skills can enhance the overall effectiveness of a group or organization.  Leadership skills the NDSU Extension Service can teach to community groups and/or organizations include: 

-Board/committee purpose, function and structure

-Organizational hierarchy and the responsibilities of officers and participants

-The importance of Social Capital

-Parliamentary Procedure

-New leaders recruitment, development and mentoring

-Methodology of conducting effective, efficient business

-Effective collaboration skills

-Facilitation skills

-Goal Setting

-Group Communication/Dynamics

-Conflict Resolution

Year One - 2002

·         Many leadership development tools and/or curriculum have been developed in other states.  In year one, a committee will review the curriculum and decide which/if any curriculum or combination thereof will work for North Dakota.  

Year Two - 2003

·         “Community Leadership” curriculum will be developed.  This curriculum will include several lesson plans which could be delivered in weekly or monthly workshops or a 2 day retreat.  One page fact sheets or circulars will also be developed.  This resource information will be available on the NDSU Extension Web Site. 

·         A “Train the Trainer” in-service will be held to familiarize agents with the curriculum and introduce “Community Leadership” resources. 

·         A statewide marketing campaign will be implemented. This will include press releases, promotional handouts and paid advertising.  Key organizations and community leaders will be contacted.  Local Extension Office will coordinate marketing to potential community organizations. 

Year Three - 2004

·         Community Leadership Development Workshops/Retreats will be offered to community civic organizations and boards.

·         Resources including publications and a web site will developed and updated. 

Year Four - 2005

Community Leadership Development Workshops/Retreats will be offered to community civic organizations and boards.

·         Assessment will conducted in a variety of ways.  A pre/post test will be held at each workshop to determine short term impacts.  After all community leadership workshops are conducted, a statewide survey will be conducted to determine overall results of the program.  Interviews will also be held with key community leaders to further measure the effectiveness of the program.

·         The Community Leadership Program will be reevaluated for continuance.   

Individuals Responsible include: County Extension Agents, Leadership Development Specialist and committee to be determined

 

PROGRAM COMPONENT
AGRITAINMENT, BUSINESS PLANNING, MARKETING, HOSPITALITY    

Key Theme(s):    Tourism

Sub-Committee: Brian Gion, Kent Alderin, Bill Klein, Randy Mehlhoff, Wally Eide, Kathy Tweeten 

Target Audience: Extension agents, other professionals, individuals entrepreneurs, small business owners, chambers of commerce and other business groups involved in tourism activity.  

Outcomes:  

Educational Program: (specific training and outputs)  

Year One  - 2002

Year Two – 2003

Year Three – 2004

Year Four – 2005

Evaluation:

Specialists will design pre and post surveys for “At Your Service” evaluation.  Conducting of surveys will be done locally by participating agents at a random sample of business that regularly are in contact with tourists. The specialist will compile the information and return results to the community.  All communities will be put in a state database for comparison and for measuring progress.  Individual community names will be kept confidential in state-wide releases. 

A directory of agritainment workshop participants will be kept by the specialist for future evaluation. 

Indictors:              

Number of participating communities
Number of rural tourism business start-ups
Change in local attitude toward tourists
Number of communities that implement marketing programs
Increased retail sales in participating communities                               

Individuals Responsible Include: 

Bill Klein, Kent Alderin, Kathy Tweeten, Department of Tourism, Larry Leistritz, David Lambert, Dan Nudell, Randy Mehlhoff

PROGRAM COMPONENT
YOUTH ENTREPRENEURSHIP, HOME-BASED BUSINESS, AGRI-ENTREPRENEURSHIP  

Key Theme(s):    Promoting Business Programs, Home-Based Business & Youth Development/4-H

Sub-Committee: Bill Klein, Brian Gion, Wally Eide, Gary Goreham, Kent Alderin, Randy Mehlhoff, Kathy Tweeten  

Target Audience:  Economic development professionals, community leaders and extension agents who are interested in retaining and expanding existing businesses, assisting small agrientrepreneurs and home-based micro-businesses. 

Outcomes:  

Education Program: (specific training and outputs)  

Year One – 2002

Year Two – 2003

Year Three – 2004

Year Four – 2005

Evaluation

Individual post evaluations with entrepreneurship program participants and business startups.  Participating agents will be asked to conduct follow-up calls with agri-entrepreneurs for testimonial and success stories. Annual teacher/4-H leader and agent mail surveys will be conducted with Mini-Society participants. 

Follow-up annual surveys will be sent to local BR&E coordinators for documentation of progress in implementation of BR&E plans. 

Indicators             

Number of participants who successfully start a business
Number of BR&E projects implemented
Number of teachers/participants in Mini-Society who implement the program.
Change in local retail sales.                               

Persons Responsible: 

Bill Klein, Brian Gion, Kathy Tweeten, Kent Alderin, Wally Eide, Larry Liestritz, David Kraenzel, Rudy Radke,

 

PROGRAM COMPONENT
E-BUSINESS, E-CAREERS 

Key Theme(s):      Technology Related to Home-Based Business Education, Promoting Business Programs and Jobs/Employment

Sub-Committee: Lynette Flage, Dan Folske, Dale Naze, Kathy Tweeten 

Situation:  

The information technology revolution holds the promise of reducing the disadvantages of distance and low population density that have long held back rural communities relative to their urban counterparts.  Survival of rural enterprises and communities depends greatly on how rural people are prepared to deal with the Information Technology revolution, where services are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week.  Rural residents must develop the necessary skills for employability or entrepreneurship in an evolving industry.  They also need the skills to market their products in a competitive area. 

Target Audience: Rural business owners and residents interested in improving their technology and marketing skills. 

Desired Outcomes:

As a result of this educational experience, participants will: 

o        learn to use the Internet as a business research tool to find new markets or suppliers or to check out the competition.

o        decide if a web presence is right for their business

o        learn steps in planning a website

o        learn techniques to effectively promote a website

o        learn how to incorporate the Internet into a business plan 

o        provide on-line or face-to-face sales and support for communities

o        develop a home based business and utilize Internet resources to market that business

o        develop a web page and market an existing business through the Internet 

o        share in technology-related opportunities through increased awareness

o        increase economic activity through technology

o        assist in lowers the out-migration of people in rural areas in North Dakota because of added  distance opportunities 

Educational Program: 

Year One -2002

·         A committee will be formed of individuals interested in e-commerce activities and training across North Dakota.  They will be responsible for input on curriculum development and evaluation regarding e-commerce. 

·         The curriculum “North Dakota’s E-Business for Small Business” will be developed and ready for pilot by December 2001.  The curriculum will be similar to the Access Minnesota Main Street project and include web-based PowerPoint slide shows for appropriate sessions, web-based versions of the curriculum with links to additional resources sites and sets of take home and review exercises for each lesson. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, Kathy Tweeten, Linda Hauge, Dan Folske, Dale Naze, Gene Veeder, Tina Langhans, David Johnson, Ray Hintz 

Year Two - 2003

·         Four to five pilot counties will be identified and complete the “E-business” course work by summer 2002.  E-pilot counties will be trained in an intensive 2 day training program that prepares them to teach this course.  They will receive an instructors manual and access to Web-based instructor notes.  Individuals trained may include extension staff, local Job Development Authority members, local economic development staff, etc.  The pilot counties and the e-team committee will work together to determine individuals trained.

·         Following the train-the-trainer program, the final main delivery method of this program will be through easy-to-understand informal classroom settings in local communities.  (Some face-to-face and some video-conferencing will be used.)  Four to five ½ day sessions will be taught to small business owners by the trained individuals.

·         A short-course including e-business terminology and information will be developed and taught to Extension staff to be ultimately utilized with county clientele.  The short-course would include understanding e-jargon and marketing.

·         A presentation marketing this program would be developed to provide to state, county and local decision makers with an overview of the program and results from the pilot programs.  Collaborations for this presentation would be necessary and include local JDA’s,Community developers, ISP’s, etc.

Necessary support will be provided for the NDSU Computers Department and the Master’s in e-business program in development

Individuals responsible include: (same as in year 1), individuals trained in pilot communities. 

Evaluation:   Written evaluations will be provided to e-Business participants on knowledge gained and how they plan to utilize the information for their own business. 

Year Three - 2004

·         E-business “train-the-trainer” programs will be offered to 10 more counties in year 3.

·         E-business for Small Business will continue to be offered to small business and individuals in North Dakota.

·         A quarterly web-based newsletter will be developed for individuals that have participated in the program.  It will provide updates on e-commerce and resources for North Dakotans. 

Individuals responsible include: (same as year 1), all county trained individuals. 

Evaluation: 

·         Written evaluations will be provided to e-Business participants on knowledge gained and how they plan to utilize the information for their own business.

·         15 small North Dakota businesses will participate in the E-business for Small Business program by December 2003  and become involved in e-business or update current e-business practices. 

Year 4 - 2005

·         E-business for Small business will continue to be offered to 10 more counties in year 4.

·         A long-term evaluation will be prepared and disseminated to all participants in the program with requests for jobs created or revenues increased information. 

Individuals responsible include: (same as year 1), all counties trained in the program 

Evaluation:

Written evaluations will be provided to e-Business participants on knowledge gained and how they plan to utilize the information for their own business. 

Job created and increased revenues by participating businesses will be assessed through long-term evaluations completed by year 4 -2004.     

PROGRAM COMPONENT
VALUE ADDED AGRICULTURE  

Key Theme(s):     Supplemental Income Strategies

Sub-Committee: Ron Smith, Rudy Radke, Harvey Peterson, Mike Rose, Chip Poland, Chet Hill 

Value Added Ag:

“If we are to achieve results never before accomplished, we must employ methods never before attempted.”  (Sir Francis Bacon) Goal: To add value to horticultural (vegetables, fruits, herbs, etc.) products so that more jobs may be created and money retained within North Dakota’s borders.  

Situation:

Rural North Dakota has been experiencing a steady decline in the number of small farms and farm families for several decades. This depopulation of rural counties is turning the communities that were supported by the family farmers into literal ghost towns. In spite of this out-migration of families and associated businesses, a few brave souls remain that appear to be making financial headway through innovative entrepreneurial effort. The small farms that produce niche or specialty products have doubled in the last seven years.  The managers of these farms (from ½ up to 80 acres) typically have an off-farm full time job in addition to managing their farms.  It is clear that these and other like-minded individuals would benefit from support in production, processing, and marketing of their products.

The large farms in North Dakota have stabilized with the scale increasing.  This puts a gap between the small farm and the large scale farm, with the medium farms being squeezed out of the picture. While it is Extension’s duty to help all farm operations, it appears our effectiveness will be maximized in assisting the small entrepreneurial farmer.  

Targeted Audience:

Those individuals who show the following characteristics:

  1. Strong, committed leadership
  2. Sound marketing plan
  3. Committed supply
  4. Well capitalized
  5. Competent, efficient, and quality conscious processing
  6. Market savvy for the products they are intending to produce
  7. Broadly applicable business principles – that don’t “poor boy” a business

In addition, these individuals must be able to answer two basic questions to be a part of the targeted audience: 1. Does it make sense?; and, 2. Do they know who they are doing business with? The key is to know what you don’t know, and know how to get the answers.  

Desired Outcomes:

As a result of inputs from NDSU Extension Specialists in the areas of production, processing and marketing, these targeted individuals will:  

·         Broaden Their Economic Base

o        By adding value to products that either didn’t exist before this initiative, or were missing target markets

o        By providing stable, decent paying jobs that will contribute to the economic stability of the region

o        By creating, stealing, or buying customers where there were none before

o        Producer formed alliances for better production and marketing coordination  

·         Attract Outside Investors

o        When economic, entrepreneurial competency is demonstrated at the entry or mid-level development stages, the chance for outside investors improves to further expand the business climate.  

·         Learn:

o        Cooperative planning for production, marketing, processing

o        To reach beyond the economic limitations of the State of North Dakota by using modern technology via web sites for market penetration and expansion.  

·         Take Action:

o        Work one-on-one mostly, with the individuals who are identified as being risk takers and entrepreneurs intent on being successful

o        Develop targeted fact sheets

o        News releases, newsletters to the identified leaders

o        Website interaction

o        Glean from other states success stories to inspire our interested citizens  

·         Change Conditions:

o        Stabilize communities via employment opportunities that do not now exist

o        Increase skill levels of participants to help attract outside investors  

Educational Program:  

Years One – Four - 2002 – 2005 

On-going activity in fact sheet production to targeted producers and interested individuals, augmented with Web-site interaction, quarterly advertisements, links on the Extension web page to direct people to a specific site and Extension personnel whose expertise can be of help. All of this in addition to participation in traditional meetings with appropriate groups, i.e. MN Fruit and Vegetable Growers Ass’n, etc.  

Joint planning of research in the department of Agribusiness and Applied Economics and extension and outreach with entrepreneurs involved in value added ventures will begin.  

Estimated Expenditures:  

Trained staff, money, travel, a programmer for web site development and maintenance, out of state contacts, power points on the web are needed. It is anticipated Extension personnel, Mike Rose, Nels Peterson, Terry Lykken, Jerry Larson, and Brad Brummond would be trained as facilitators in Value Added Agriculture.  Total cost is difficult to estimate.  

Individuals responsible include: Rudy Radke, Ron Smith, Mike Rose, Nels Peterson, Terry Lykken, Jerry Larson, Brad Brummond, Agribusiness and Applied Economics department, Chet Hill, David Kraenzel, Chip Poland, Greg Lardy, Lisa Lee, local economic developers, Department of Commerce  

Evaluation and Assessment:  

In this process, it will not so much be a number accumulation as it will be an ability to identify and overcome typical barriers and limitations. Some barriers may indicate that the group is not headed in a direction that is feasible, or that some creative thinking is needed in order to remove or avoid the barrier. From past experience, the following barriers and limitations are common:  

  1. High enthusiasm; group falls apart. Usually due to a lack of action, or progress toward the goals the group has set for itself.  
  1. Group focuses too much energy on wrong or inappropriate issues. To be effective, groups need diversity in thinking and background, which often bring complications. To overcome wasting energy on non-relevant issues, refocusing on what the group was initially formed for and refocusing on the original objectives and reasons is needed.  
  1. Group has many ideas, but no focus on a particular project: With group meetings comes brainstorming; with brainstorming, ideas must be prioritized to work effectively on one or two ideas at a time, with the others being developed as time, facilities, interest, and finances dictate.  
  1. Barriers to implementation of project ideas: Basically these boil down to financial and philosophical; getting venture capital raised for the committed and appropriately talented individuals, and realizing that “organic” is not for everyone.  Growing herbs may require organic approaches when used for medicinal or culinary purposes, but Juneberry production requires non-organic inputs at this time to be successful.  

PROGRAM COMPONENT
IMPROVING INFORMATION TECHNOLOGY LITERACY IN RURAL AMERICA 

Key Theme(s):       Impact of Change on Rural Communities

Sub-Committee: Lynette Flage, Dan Folske, Kathy Tweeten, Dale Naze, McKenzie County technology team 

Situation: The Internet provides opportunities to North Dakota residents of all ages for interaction and information retrieval.  This is an especially important resource to those in rural areas.  While more and more North Dakota residents have access to computers, many live in areas where there are few Internet and other technology training opportunities available.  A basic understanding of computer technology is becoming necessary to effectively function in today’s society. 

Target Audience: Rural North Dakota residents who want to increase their Internet and computer skills.  Their characteristics include a desire to learn and improve their technical skills. 

Desired Outcomes: 

As a result of this educational experience, participants will:  

·         Learn

o        upgrade their technology skills

o        learn to use the Internet as a valuable resource

o        be able to teach computer skills and information to adults 

o        have access to better paying jobs through the expansion and support for a technology workforce

o        be able to work with the local communities to assist with a plan for developing technology related opportunities

o        improve the standard of living in North Dakota communities 

Educational Program: 

Year One - 2002

·         Final 4-day Master Internet Volunteer “boot camp” training program offered to county staff.  When complete, 44 counties will have the Master Internet Volunteer training and equipment.

·         Master Internet Volunteer program will be offered to 44 counties across North Dakota.  The ten week, 30 hour course will provide technology and Internet information to participants.

·         Quarterly e-mail updates on various “new” technologies and web-sites provided to MIV’s.

·         The “Technology Connection” will be developed; a basic breakdown of the MIV program, to provide Extension staff and Master Internet volunteers a resource when providing stand alone Internet information.  The Technology Connection will be web-based and provide a “tool-kit” for those teaching technology.  Each tool kit will include a teacher’s guide, a PowerPoint presentation, participant hand-outs and hands-on activities.

·         Continued hands-on training to staff provided on requested technology topics not provided within the MIV program.  Detailed, specific web page development and digital camera use will be provided as well as other current technology issues.

·         A committee consisting of county staff members, state staff members and youth will be formed to consider a teen Web-masters/technology entrepreneur  program.   This committee will consider youth entrepreneur programs and technology centers for teens to be placed in rural communities providing accessibility to technology and business-related programs for young people. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, Master Internet Volunteer leaders, Master Internet Volunteers, Joe Courneya, state and county staff on committee, North Dakota teens.   

Evaluation: Written evaluation of the MIV program will be provided at the beginning of the program, at the end of in-class training and when volunteering is completed.  

Year Two - 2003

Continued hands-on training to staff on web page development, digital cameras and other current technology information/programs

·         A “Teaching With Technology- Using Video-conferencing” website will be available with beginning training materials available for staff and statewide system using video-conferencing.  Face-to-face training will be held for staff on using the video-conferencing equipment.  Staff training will be 6 hours in length and provide information on use of equipment and effective teaching strategies for this medium.

·         Continued support provided for Master Internet instructors and volunteers through quarterly updates and the Technology Connection site as provided. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, Dave Haasser, Sandy Sprafka, Becky Koch, David Saxowsky, Dan Nudell, Mike Miller, Dave Jacobs. 

Evaluation: Written evaluation of the MIV program will be provided at the beginning of the program, at the end of in-class training and when volunteering is completed.  

Year Three - 2004

·         Continued hands-on training to staff on current technology information/programs

·        Formal support to the Master Internet Volunteer program will come to a close.  The web-based material will continue to be updated and available   to MIV-leaders.  A “sunset” report will be completed and the program evaluated for the 6 year period. 

·        Continued training provided on video-conferencing equipment and effective teaching strategies.  All staff will have access to video-conferencing within a 50 miles radius of their office. 

·         Continue training and support through the “Technology Connection” providing new material to staff and volunteers on technology with short courses on the latest information. 

·         Development of technology assessment for communities.  What does it take to be “e-ready”?  Staff will be able to assist communities in preparing for e-readiness.  Staff training will be through short face–to-face presentations and web-based assessment tools.  Communities can review this assessment tool and review the checklist as it pertains to their own community. 

Individuals responsible include: Lynette Flage, Dave Rice, MIV leaders, MIV volunteers, IBID, local private businesses, local technology providers, local JDA’s. 

Evaluation: Written evaluation of the MIV program will be provided at the beginning of the program, at the end of in-class training and when volunteering is completed. 

A final formal evaluation of the MIV program will be provided to staff that have taught the course at least once AND participants in the course still on the listserv.  This evaluation will encompass a six year time span and request impact information from volunteers and staff on those they have assisted. 

Year Four - 2005 

·         Continued hands-on training to staff on current technology information/programs.

·         Continued training provided on video-conferencing equipment and effective teaching strategies.  All staff will have access to video-conferencing within a 50 mile radius of their office.

·         Continued support through the “Technology Connection” providing new material to staff and volunteer on technology with short courses on the latest information.   

Evaluation: An assessment of community technology plans will be completed in Year 4.  This assessment will provide documentation of long term social and economic issues in counties using the e-ready checklist to assist them in moving forward with technology in their community.  The tool will be sent to community technology leaders using the e-ready checklist.