Changes

For medium-range planning, the [[Board|Board of Directors]] of The Augustan Society, Inc., has delegated responsibility to the [[Order of the Augustan Eagle]], which is to say the [[Eagle Council]], and assigned them the task of developing and maintaining an rolling five'''Five-year plan Year Plan''' for the Society.  The Eagle Council, in turn, has created January 2016 draft of themselves a Committee-of-the-Whole to consider plan follows with marked updates through July 2018. [Bracketed] notes are from [[Headquarters Staff]] and recommend changes to are not part of the Five-Year Planadopted plan.

  '''The Future of the Augustan Society —FIVE YEAR PLAN'''

<ol type="I"> <li>:* [[#Part 3|Administration and & Infrastructure</li>]] <li>:* [[#Part 4|Areas of Study and Tradition</li>Traditions]] <li>:* [[#Part 5|Areas of Service</li></ol>]]

This should be considered a "working document" that can be amended and developed according to the needs of the organization and as new information is gathered. This document should also be updated to reflect the results of initiatives. It is further recommended that portions of this document that are undeveloped be submitted to existing relevant Committees and [[Sub-Groups|subgroups]] for development and evaluation on a periodic basis.

==MISSION PART ONE - VISION STATEMENT==

'''The Augustan Society, Inc. promotes We work to further chivalric values in society by the study manner in which we conduct ourselves and traditions of [[Chivalry|chivalry]], [[Genealogy|genealogy]], [[Heraldry|heraldry]], [[History|history before AD 1700]], and [[Royalty & Nobility|nobility]] by providing unique, high-quality resources, including a [[Library|library]], [[Communications|publications]], and services for members and the publicour business.'''

==PART TWO - MISSION STATEMENT== '''We work to further chivalric values in society by The Augustan Society, Inc. promotes the manner in which we conduct ourselves study and our businesstraditions of [[Chivalry|chivalry]], [[Genealogy|genealogy]], [[Heraldry|heraldry]], [[History|history before AD 1700]], and [[Royalty & Nobility|nobility]] by providing unique, high-quality resources, including a [[Library|library]], [[Communications|publications]], and services for members and the public.''' 

==<span id="Part 3"></span>PART THREE - ADMINISTRATION AND & INFRASTRUCTURE==

<li>Annual [[Communications Calendar]]<span id="Expanded Volunteer Involvement">Expanded Volunteer Involvement</span>

<li>An internal schedule of all planned communication with members and the public will allow for smooth and predictable times Offsite Volunteer Coordinator is needed to share information, for planning ahead to promote initiatives, and reasonable deadlines for inclusion in communications. The schedule may be developed with assistance and input from the [[Communications Committee]].</li> <li>The schedule should include: <ol type="1"> <li>''[[August&aelig;um]]''</li> <ol type="a"> <li>Frequency: bimonthly. Annually, frequency should be rematch non-evaluated to consider increase to monthly. Factors to consider in increasing frequency: cost, urgency of information, member participation in providing content. <li>Currently produced by Consul Bruce Metcalf in his capacity as [[August&aelig;um Editor]]. Printing and mailing are done at Headquarters.</li> </ol></li> <li>[[Wiki|Augustan Wiki]] <ol type="a"> <li>Replace printed Handbook with online wiki, allowing for fast updates and immediate distribution at trivial cost.</li> <li>Updates would be done on an as-needed basis.</li> <li>Link to Wiki would be regularly provided to all members, perhaps in the ''August&aelig;um'' and in the members section of the website.</li> <li>Infrastructure to be developed by Bruce Metcalf. Updates to be entered by Consuls and responsible local volunteers. (Note: The infrastructure is here, now we need officers and chairmen to input or update their pagestasks. Some technical help This is still needed.)</li> <li>Regular review of content to be scheduled as part of communications calendar. (Note: By whom?)</li> <li>Regular promotion of specific content to be scheduled as part of communication calendar, i.e.: including a link to the nominations section when [[Board]] nominations are mentioned in print to members.</li> </ol></li> <li>Fundraising <ol type="a"> <li>Regularly scheduled direct mail requests for donation for the annual campaign.</li> <li>Inclusion of fundraising news and requests in ''August&aelig;um''</li> <li>Digital form on the Society website for donations via credit cards and [[PayPal]]</li> </ol></li> <li>Board Nominations</li> <li>Calls for Content for Publications</li> <li>Invitation to [[Annual Convention]]</li> <li>''[[Rosarum]]'', the newsletter of the [[Noble Company of the Rose]], published irregularly</li> <li>''The [[Augustan Omnibus]]'' <ol type="a"> <li>Published twice annually</li> </ol></li> <li>Announcement of new publications <ol type="a"> <li>Include in ''August&aelig;um''</li> <li>Include in advertising sections of ''Augustan Omnibus'' (Note: The ''Omnibus'' does not presently have an advertising section. Ads are distributed through the articles expected to fill pages.)</li> <li>Flyer to be included in mailings</li> <li>Online advertising where appropriate for subject</li> <ol type="i"> <li>Attempt to barter or trade advertising instead of spending funds</li> <li>On Society website</li> </ol></li> <li>Review copies of publications sent to relevant reporters, news editors, bloggers and book reviewers, conflict with follow up to ask for reviews andendorsements</li> </ol></li> <li>Email Newsletter <ol type="a"> <li>A survey the work of members to be undertaken to determine necessity</li> <li>Content can be digital version of ''August&aelig;um''</li> <li>Use of service such as Constant Contact can yield useful data about member interests and allow for automated management of email lists</li> </ol></li> <li>Social Media Updates <ol type="a"> <li>[[Facebook]] - posts to be entered not less than monthly. <li>Twitter - optimal updates are daily or multiple updates per day (Note: The Society does not have a Twitter account.) <li>Use a platform such as HootSuite to pre-load updates and release them according to a planned schedule. </ol></li> <li>Website Updates <ol type="a"> <li>As needed</li> <li>Routine review of web content on periodic basis, perhaps to be assigned to various committee and board members by webmasters (Note: This is presently being done by the Webmaster with almost no support.)</li> <li>Establish a [[Forum]] for discussion on the website; moderator needed (Note: A Forum already exists on the main web site, but was disabled at the order Dean of a previous [[PresidentStudies]]. Given a moderator, it could be enabled very quickly.)</li> </ol></li> </ol></li> <li>''Indicators of success: annual schedule is created, with 75% of deadlines met in 2015. 80% in 2016. 85% in 2017. 90% in 2018. 90% of deadlines met is ultimate goal.''<br>(Note: We have met 100% of the deadlines between January and April 2015.)</li> </ol></li><li>Expanded An Onsite Volunteer Involvement <ol type="A"> <li>Staff expect that the opening of our [[Library]] Coordinator will encourage and enable be needed to match local volunteers. (Note: A distinction needs to be made between Library accessibility, which exists now, and tasks once a public Library facility that would permit the use of volunteersis had.) <ol type="1"> <li>Broadcast this opportunity using online resources such as [http://volunteermatch.org volunteermatch.org]. </ol></li> <li>For non-local volunteers, staff feels the need for a Volunteer Coordinator. (Note: See [[Study Groups]] for a slightly different approach.) <ol type="1"> <li>Advertise this opportunity to members via the ''[[August&aelig;um]]'' (Note: Presently awaiting delivery of copy to the ''August&aelig;um'' Editor.)</li> </ol></li>

<li>Digitizing in support of [[Back Issue Sales]]; cross-check of OCR documents[''Note: One volunteer now working.'']</li>

<li>''Indicators of success: increase in number of volunteers, number of volunteer hours and number of projects successfully undertaken. More specific data needed to cast these goals into concrete numbers.'' (Note: Volunteer hours have been tallied since 2007; details of existing and proposed programs are available, much of it within this Wikidonated.)</li>

<li>The Investment Fund is currently earning approximately $1112,000 annually with a very cautious approach to investment that is yielding about 45% [annual] return.</li> <li>''Indicators of success: continue to gain 45% [annual] return.'' (Question<br>[''Note: 4% over what period The [[Assistant Secretary]] believes it is necessary to increase the principle of time?)this Fund, above and beyond said return.'']</li>

<li>Establish a Fundraising Chairman and possible committee to spearhead annual fundraising campaign

<li>2014 - Augustan Library Fund (Note: What is the purpose of this fund, and how is it different from the Headquarters Fund below?) <ol type="a"> <li>. This pilot project aims aimed to collect $10,000 in FY 2014</li> <li>This campaign and collected $2,284</li> <li>Has been on hold due to loss of nonprofit status of organization (Note: Consuls disagree that our 501(c)(3) status greatly inhibits fundraising.)</li> <li>''Indicators of success: participation from 95% of membership, meet 50% of goal'' (<br>[''Note: Consuls disagree [[Headquarters Staff]] feel strongly that it is constructive 's counterproductive to claim success when that failing by 50%is success.)'']</li>

<li>2015 - Augustan Library Fund ([''Note: 2015 has seen saw an "Annual Fundraiser" unrelated to the Library.)Funds collected remain in the General Fund.'']</li> <li>2016 - Augustan Special Collections Fund (to repair, rebind or replace volumes in unusable condition) ([''Note: Consuls recommend this line item be added This turned into a solicitation to benefit the general fund and balance the budget.)'']</li> <li>2017 - Augustan Headquarters Fund (to purchase permanent location) ([''Note: Consuls feel a purchase is unlikely in this decade, barring a major donationNo such fundraising was conducted.)'']</li> <li>2018 - suggestion needed, no fundraising was conducted</li> <li>2019 - suggestion neededHeadquarters Building Fund, no fundraising was conducted</li>

<li>Continue "Buy-A-Box" campaign until all books are unpacked ([''Note: Perhaps the goal of "all books and other materials are properly shelved"?)'']

<li>Requests for donation to the [["Buy-A-Box" ]] fund have been included in recent member communications and have yielded some return. The debt to the [[Cataloging ]] Fund has been was repaid as of October 2014.</li> <li>''Indicators of success: close deficit by end of 2014.'' ([''Note: This was achieved.)'']</li>

<li>A $10,000 donation was made in 2011, with the stipulation that it be used to fund the expenses incurred by cataloging the book collection.</li>

<li>Over 35,200 000 books have been were cataloged to dateby 2022</li> <li>This project is managed by the Consuls at Headquarters[[Librarian]]</li> <li>The establishment of a publicly accessible [[Library ]] location would allow Consuls the Librarian to recruit and supervise volunteers to work on the project</li> <li>It is estimated that approximately 15between 25,000 to 2535,000 volumes remain to be cataloged.</li> <li>''Indicators of success: all books and ephemera cataloged at a rate of 10% per year'' ([''Note: The current rate of cataloging is approximately 700 300 volumes per year, or 1% to 2% per year. Doubling that Increasing this rate to 10% of the collection will require work to be transferred from Headquarters to volunteers or other projects discontinuedor transferred away from Headquarters.)It is patently unrealistic, though obtaining a public Headquarters could help substantially.'']</li>

<li>Mention of these donation options may be made in regular member communications. (The [''Note: The [[August&aelig;um'' Editor ]] will publish such when received, either as articles or separate sheets.)'']</li> <li>A direct mail project is recommended, with a letter to be sent to all members suggesting that the Society be remembered in wills, trusts and life insurance, with relevant information such as tax ID. ([''Note: It would be imprudent to publish the Society's Tax ID number.It may also be wise to defer this until 501(c)(3) status is restored.'']</li>

<li>''Indicators of success: mailing sent on annual basis, mentions made three times annually in various publications.'' (Note: ''[[August&aelig;um]].'' will publish this once these programs have been launched.)</li>

<li>Historically, the annual fundraiser has aimed to replenish this fund, which is used for operating expenses. <li>Donations that are not received for specific purposes are placed in this fund. ([''Note: In 2015& 2016, such unspecific donations are being were placed in the 2015 Annual Fundraiser, with the same effect.)'']</li>

<li>Board members and Consuls attend relevant events and conventions, representing the Society (Note: Consuls are disinclined to play this role outside the greater Orlando area.)</li> <li>Identify top salable items and services Work to promote and advertise those in relevant websites and publications (Note: Consuls are quite unconvinced that the following list includes the "top" items. A survey of "bestsellers" could be provided if the unit of measurement is defined.) <ol type="1"> <li>[[Registration of Arms]]</li> <li>[[Augustan Society Roll of Arms]]</li> <li>[[Little Manual of Heraldry]]</li> <li>''[[Augustan Omnibus]]'' Subscriptions</li> <li>Used and surplus books and magazines.</li> </ol>would attract new members or inquiries</li>

<li>Headquarters Building Chairman to be named and to assist in search</li> <li>Possible renovations or building maintenance to be performed before move in ([''Note: Staff expect this to be a non-trivial expense, especially but a necessary one as it will be quite difficult to reach the walls, floors, and ceilings after move-in, and we would at the least need to replace acoustic tile ceilings. A possible grant to support this work has been identified.'']</li> <li>Need for furniture, office supplies and equipment; budget tbd for these expenses ([''Note: Most such items are already on hand.)'']</li> <li>''Indicators of success: location found, secured , and occupied''</li>

<li>Paid staff or executive director [[Executive Director]] position has been discussed[''Note: An unpaid Executive Director was discussed without action. An Executive Director would require a [[By-Laws]] amendment.</li>

<li>It may be prudent to reach for a part-time clerk rather than a full-time Executive Director.</li> <li>Consideration of this position should wait until move into [[Library ]] is complete and needs of organization can be better assessed.</li> <li>Consul is [[Consuls]] were unsure if a paid executive director is [[Executive Director]] was needed, necessary, or affordable. It may well be They suggested that competent clerks could perform most of the Society's administrative work, with volunteers covering matters requiring expertise.</li> <li>A post-Metcalf plan needs to be established.</li>

<li>Capture institutional knowledge and directions for processes in the [[Staff Wiki]] ([''Note: In progressCompleted in December 2017.)'']</li> <li>Determine how to handle transition from the present [[Consuls]] Metcalfs once they retire.</li>

<li>Consuls suggest that any reorganization create departments for the five major areas of study, Study Groups, Library, Communications, and Administration. (Note: This has largely been done, with the Chairmen of the five major study area committees and the [[Dean of Studies] in nominal charge of their departments, and [[Consuls]] in charge of the others.)</li> <li>Fill vacancies in essential leadership positions[''Note: Filling vacancies with persons holding other offices is counter-productive.'']</li>

<li>Identify subgroups of potential members, e.g: college history students, members of specific orders of chivalry, New England Colonial Genealogist[also individuals who have contacted the Society for research or back issues]</li> <li>Research past programs, members, publications to analyze for success, new ideas, better understanding of membership interests and needs[''Note: This study should cover the period before 2007, as no program since has had any positive impact on membership save the website.'']</li> <li>The ''Omnibus'' Editor [[President]] will be reaching out to Phi Alpha Theta, the national history honors society, for articles. This may prove a worthy model (positive or negative) for other such.</li>

<li>A study of member residences (in US and Canada) suggests that some areas may already have reached sufficient membership density to make this possible, the New York area in particular.[Such groups have since dispersed as our membership drops.]</li>

<ol type="1"><!-- ??? status of review--> <li>[[Headquarters Staff ]] suggests it's about time to send out another round to those who did not at first reply — &mdash; though perhaps, given the largely electronic nature of our communications, it would be sufficient to contact members by email. [''Note: The [[Dean of Studies]] agreed to prepare an online survey, but work has stopped due to illness.'']</li>

<li>Keep website the [[Main Website]] updated ([''Note: This is being done on a daily cyclecontinuously, with additional updates as information is received.)'']</li> <li>Web banners[''Note: Our websites are not presently set up to display banner ads. Amending them will incur a non-zero cost.'']</li> <li>Brochure PDF (Brochures to promote membership targeted to those interested in our five main topics [''Note: The present brochure Work on these has generated zero response. Clearly, a different approach is neededbeen assigned to several Directors.)'']

<li>Standard print ads for use in advertising ([''Note: Consuls feel strongly that For greater impact, ads need to be tailored to each target audience.)'']</li>

==<span id="Part 4"></span>PART FOUR - STUDY & TRADITIONS==

<li>[[Approved Lineages]] [Awaiting documentation]</li> <li>[[Certified Lineages]] ([Note: This issue has been tabled until our present system of lineage review has been documented.)]</li>

<li>Nobility - [[List of Current Royalty]] ([Note: The R&N Committee has refused amended this chargeto be a list of ''fontes honorum''.)]</li>

<li>[[Heraldry Index, Ordinary, and Armorial Study Group]]</li> <li>[[Medals and Decorations Study Group]], presently dormant</li> <li>[[Photo Collection & Ordinary Study Group]]</li>

<li>[[Insignia Sales]] ([Note: The only insignia sales at present are of Society insignia and those only to eligible members.)]</li>

 ==<span id="Part 5"></span>PART FIVE - SERVICES==

<li>To obtain and occupy rented facilities for our offices and library ([Note: Consuls feel The [[Librarian]] feels that ''publicly accessible'' facilities are needed.)]

<li>We have essentially conducted such recently. It would require an additional $12k/an. income or an additional $250k in the [[Investment Fund]]. Both would need to increase to keep pace with inflation.</li>

<li>Furniture/Equipment ([Note: Consuls believe that most Most needed furniture and equipment is already on hand.)]</li>

<li>[[Library Catalog]] [AKA: Online Public Access Catalog]] (or OPAC. This is already open was opened to public accessin 2014.)]</li> <li>Research services ([Note: Consuls do The [[Librarian]] does not consider this to be a Library activity, though the Library would certainly support such a program.)]</li> <li>''Indicators of success: location selected and established by end of 2014 (needs revision): cataloged books are shelved at library location and available for use and/or loan. Purchase of space is a long term goal, possibly beyond the 5-year scope of this document.'' ([Note: Cataloged books are already shelved, save perhaps the most recent box thereof.)]</li>

<li>[[Communications Committee]] &mdash; Consider peer-reviewed publications ([Note: This has been was reviewed in 2013 and found unworkable at this that time.)]</li>

<li>''The [[Augustan Omnibus]]'' - Annually ([Note: Presently published semi-annually.)The [[Editor-in-Chief]] would be happy to see the frequency reduced from a financial and time perspective; perhaps not from other perspectives.]

<li>Increase frequency ([Note: The [[Editor-in-Chief]] does not believe that the flow of articles and reviews is or the volunteer staff are sufficient to support a third issue per year without an unreasonable reduction in page count.)]</li> <li>Increase ''The Augustan Omnibus'' average page count ([Note: The [[Editor-in-Chief ]] observes that this is limited by both articles , volunteers, and budget at present.)]</li> <li>Periodically evaluate design/layout to remain current within field ([Note: This is an ongoing task of the [[Omnibus Editor]] and [[Art Director]].)]</li>

<li>Book - Germond, ''A Continuation of Paget's 'Ancestry...of the Prince of Wales'' (' [Note: Work is in progress, though hampered by slow work on digitizing.)]</li> <li>Book - Uphoff, ''Chinese KingsImperial Genealogy From the Five Emperors through the Qing Dynasty''[Note: Copy not yet received.]</li> <li>Book - ''Vigil, a Knight's Training Program''[Note: While the [[Noble Company of the Rose]] promised support and participation, it has not been forthcoming.]</li> <li>Book - ''The [[Augustan Society Roll of Arms]], '' Volume IV[Note; [[Rolls Editor]] named in 2016.]</li>

<li>''The [[Augustan Society Roll of Arms]]'' is mostly self-funding, thanks largely to print-on-demand technology. Promotion will likely require more funding than printing. Pre-publication sales should help with that.[Note: The switch from volunteer to paid artists will oblige this program to generate a profit to pay for the registrations that never received an emblazonment.]</li> <li>[[Rolls Editor ]] has resigned without replacement. [Note: A new Rolls Editor has been named.]</li>

<li>''[[Rose Roll of Arms]]'' &mdash; This project has been approved by the Rose Council, and presently awaits input from the new [[Rose Herald]]. (Such input has been received, and is now dependent on HQ staff for records retrieval.)</li>  <li>[[Back Issue DigitizingStudy Group]] and [[Back Issue Sales]]

<li>OffAdditional off-site volunteers are needed to edit the output of the OCR software and to reformat the material for reprinting.</li>

<li>Chivalry Newsletter &mdash; Has been tabled Tabled for the time being.</li>

<li>[[Roll of Arms Reprints][Note: Images need colorizing and blazons need translation. Production will be trivial once those tasks are complete.]</li>

<li>Online [[Online Heraldry Index to Arms]] &mdash; This is presently idle as we focus on the Armorial and Ordinary, but would be revived if a volunteer were found. ([Note: The Index, Armorial, and Ordinary have been combined into a [[Study Groups|Study Group]] and a Coordniator Coordinator named.)Work is progressing.]</li> 

<li>[[Descents from Antiquity Study Group|Descents from Antiquity]] &mdash; A major revision is in progress, as time permits. ([Note: This has been converted from a Committee to a [[Study Groups|Study Group]].)A final report has been submitted, and no new work has been proposed, resulting in the group being dormant.]</li>

<li>Increase variety of media in which publications are presented (paper, digital, etc.) (long term goal)[Note: The August&aelig;um Editor has been asked to prepare a sample issue as time permits.]</li> <li>[[Reprint Sales]]</li> <li>[[Used Book Sales]]</li>

<li>Main [[Main Website]] &mdash; Our main web site Main Website is a fixed cost based on membership, no matter how large we make it. Our Store and Library sites combined cost less than $20/month, and it would take quite substantial growth to exceed that. ([Note: Server costs have been reduced risen to less than about $1722/month.)]</li>

<li>Services[Note: This category exists in the [[Mission Statement]], but no entry on the topic has yet been created.]</li>