Strategic Plan
for the Northern California Chapter of the
Earthquake Engineering Research Institute
2008
Introduction
This document sets out a Strategic Plan for the Northern California Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute (EERI-NC or the Chapter). The Chapter was formed in the fall of 2001 to provide a forum for those interested in sharing information and fostering earthquake risk reduction in Northern California. The Chapter’s Board of Directors first developed this Strategic Plan as a tool for selecting and managing Chapter activities in 2001, and from time to time since then the Chapter’s Board has revisited and revised the Plan.
Vision
The Chapter is an active, highly visible organization in Northern California that is recognized for its earthquake risk reduction efforts, developing new leaders in the earthquake hazard mitigation field, in the Chapter and the Institute, sharing information and camaraderie, engaging in outreach activities, and working with local decision-makers to reduce earthquake risk.
Mission
The mission of the Northern California Chapter is to reduce earthquake risk in Northern California by advancing the science and practice of earthquake engineering, by improving understanding of the impact of earthquakes on the physical, social, economic, political and cultural environment, and by advocating comprehensive and realistic measures for reducing the harmful effects of earthquakes.
Goals
To meet the Chapter’s mission, the Chapter’s goals are to build and Maintain an Active Chapter of the Earthquake Engineering Research Institute in Northern California and to Encourage, Promote and Facilitate Earthquake Risk Reduction in Northern California. The Chapter will work to achieve its goals by carrying out specific strategies and related activities.
Goal 1: Maintain an Active Chapter
Strategies and related recommended activities for meeting Goal 1 are:
- Carry Out Internal Communications Within the Chapter
- Conduct four or more Board of Directors meetings per year, meeting monthly as necessary
- Appoint Board contacts to act as liaisons to Chapter and project committees
- Communicate regularly with the membership via email and newsletters
- Maintain an informative and up-to-date web site
- Conduct Regular Chapter Meetings
- Maintain a Program Committee
- Hold approximately six Chapter meetings each year, including a meeting in April with a commemorative 1906 San Francisco earthquake lecture, an annual business meeting in October, and an annual holiday party in December.
- Appoint and Engage Chapter Committees
- Maintain standing committees, including: Media and Public Relations, Membership, Program, Web Site, Newsletter, and Government
- Form ad hoc committees as necessary (e.g., Awards, Nominations, Ethics, Bylaws)
- Appoint a chair and board contact for each committee, and assign charges that are reviewed annually
- Encourage each committee to share information with the membership in a timely way (through web site, emails, phone calls)
- Maintain and Recruit Membership
- Define and disseminate “Benefits of Membership”
- Use Chapter meetings to attract new members and stimulate interest
- Ensure enjoyable and rewarding participation in Chapter activities
- Build leadership and advocacy skills
- Seek and Manage Resources
- Identify resource needs for chapter and chapter activities
- Pursue funding to support chapter and chapter activities
- Make volunteer activities rewarding
Goal 2: Encourage, Promote, and Facilitate Earthquake Risk Reduction in Northern California
Strategies and related recommended activities for meeting Goal 2 are:
- Utilize Existing Risk Reduction Tools and Partner with Other Organizations
- Be aware of and make use of risk reduction existing tools (e.g. educational materials, guidelines, ordinances and regulations)
- Identify, seek out, and involve associations of risk owners
- Be aware of and promote efforts of other organizations involved in earthquake risk reduction, such as the Applied Technology Council (ATC), Association of Bay Area Governments (ABAG), California Geological Survey (CGS), California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services (OES), California Seismic Safety Commission (CSSC), Collaborative for Disaster Mitigation (CDM) at San Jose State University, John A. Blume Earthquake Engineering Center at Stanford University, Pacific Earthquake Engineering Research (PEER) Center at the University of California at Berkeley, Red Cross, Structural Engineers Association of Northern California (SEAONC), and U. S. Geological Survey (USGS)
- Conduct Risk Reduction Communication Activities
- Maintain an active Media and Public Relations Committee
- Maintain an informative and up-to-date web site
- Develop and update Fact Sheets and post on web site
- Meet with and give presentations to groups of owners with facilities at risk
- Develop new and innovative risk communication tools specific to Northern California
- Develop presentation materials to be used by chapter members in speaking to different groups (e.g. PowerPoint files for presentations to school groups)
- Educate and train volunteers
- Promote Risk Assessment and Risk Reduction
- Identify, conduct, and/or co-sponsor publicly visible Chapter risk reduction projects and activities (e.g., EERI-NC’s Hayward Fault Earthquake Initiative; events commemorating the 140th anniversary of the 1868 Hayward Fault earthquake; 2006 National Conference on Earthquake Engineering Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of the 1906 San Francisco Earthquake)
- Acknowledge successful risk reduction efforts outside of the Chapter with awards (e.g., Annual EERI-NC Award for Leadership, Innovation, and Outstanding Accomplishments in Earthquake Risk Reduction, with names of recipients and reasons for awards posted on Chapter web site), credits and referrals to web sites of other organizations via web links
- Identify and document Best Practices for risk reduction and post on web site
- Build partnerships and coordinate with other risk reduction programs and activities
- Advocate to Influence Decision Makers
- Develop and modify guidelines for risk reduction for Chapter endorsement
- Endorse sensible efforts to reduce risk (e.g. ballot measures)
- Identify and compile model risk reduction policies, regulations, and guidelines
- Be aware of legislation related to earthquakes and risk reduction
- Organize and host workshops for owners of facilities at risk
- Promote use of Best Practices to owners of facilities at risk
- Collaborate with the media to promote risk reduction
