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<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>10 NEW YEAR RESOLUTIONS TO MAKE LIFE EASIER<o:p></o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Most experienced proposal developers have faced one or more
of these scenarios. But if you’d just as soon do without the drama, start
the New Year with this simple list of resolutions. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>“Who’s got the username and password?”</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Many online proposal submission systems require usernames, passwords, and/or
personal identification numbers. Where are all those special things kept? If
they are only in someone’s head or scratched on a series of sticky notes,
trouble could be right around the corner. People get ill or quit their jobs
unexpectedly…or worse. And there goes that critical information! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Resolution #1</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Keep one up-to-date list of all passwords, usernames, and special numbers in a
file for access by others if needed. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Resolution #2</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Organize your office, your computer, and all your information so that a new
person could come in and (almost) pick up where you left off. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>“My computer crashed”</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> (or…the system went down!) Who
hasn’t lost a document? Of course, it’s usually an important one
that you’ve labored over for hours…and it disappears. Yes, just
before a deadline. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Resolution #3</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Save, save, save! Save your document on your hard drive and on a flash drive,
and also email it to yourself. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Resolution #4</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'><br>
If you don’t already have a web-based email address, such as Gmail or
Yahoo, establish one. Use it as a repository for important documents. Then, if
you must use a different computer, you will be able to download your document
and pick up where you left off. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>“I just started in this job, and I
have found a grant that was awarded to us, but no one knows a thing about
it!”</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'>
Strange as it sounds, this happens. Someone (who?) solicited a grant and it was
awarded. But no one knows what has happened to it since then. There is no
paperwork, there is no memory. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Resolution #5</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
For a new person in the job, this can be a wonderful opportunity to develop a
relationship with the funder. If you can’t find the records and if no one
in the organization knows anything, visit the funder. Explain that you are new
on the job, became aware of the grant, and as part of your orientation want to
find out more both about the funder and about the grant. Use the conversation
to learn about the funder’s perspective on the grant, and to identify any
loose ends. Such a conversation can actually enhance the credibility of both
your organization and your work. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Resolution #6</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Involve others in planning as grant proposals are developed. Build your team! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:Arial;
font-weight:bold'>Resolution #7</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Keep thorough records. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>“I hit the ‘submit’
button and now I can’t remember what I wrote!”</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> Online applications often require
the applicant to enter information in boxes, or on lines. When we try to cut
corners we can run into the wall. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Resolution #8</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Always prepare your response for an online grant application in a Word
document. Fine tune it. Get feedback from others. Edit it. Count your words.
Edit it. Spell-check it. Then check the spelling—for those words that
spell-check missed! Edit it. Finally, when you have polished your document to
perfection, copy and paste it into the funding source’s online form. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>“Help! The funder requires a hard
copy of the proposal and the copy machine jammed!”</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'> (Or….the printer is out of
ink! Or….) Some organizations have very well-defined roles and
responsibilities that spell out who—and who may not—replace ink
cartridges, download software, or other essential tasks. But suppose it’s
Sunday afternoon and you’re trying to get a proposal ready for a next-day
deadline. The copy machine has jammed! And the person responsible for such
things is nowhere to be found. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Resolution #9</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Become entirely self-sufficient. That means knowing where the paper is kept,
how to unjam the copier, how to replace ink and toner, and yes, how to load the
stapler! Be prepared to do everything yourself, with no help. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>“I can’t find Ms. Executive
Director to sign the application! Oh, she’s in <st1:place w:st="on">Europe</st1:place>
on vacation?”</span></font></b><font face=Arial><span style='font-family:
Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></b></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><b><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial;font-weight:bold'>Resolution #10</span></font></b><font
face=Arial><span style='font-family:Arial'><br>
Plan ahead! <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face=Arial><span style='font-size:12.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Readers: We’re inviting you to share your most
memorable “grants nightmares” and suggested resolutions. <a
href="mailto:%7bcentered%7d@tgci.com"><font color=black><span style='color:
windowtext'>Email them to us</span></font></a> by February 5, 2009, and
we’ll highlight some of the best in an upcoming issue of Centered. <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p><span class=authfooter1><b><i><font size=3 color=black face=Arial><span
style='font-size:12.0pt;color:windowtext;font-weight:bold'>Patty Hasselbring</span></font></i></b></span><span
class=authfooter1><i><font color=black face=Arial><span style='color:windowtext'>
is a consultant trainer for The <st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on">Grantsmanship</st1:PlaceName>
<st1:PlaceType w:st="on">Center</st1:PlaceType></st1:place>. She has worked
with nonprofits for over 25 years on both sides of the funding desk: as
executive director of grantseeking nonprofit organizations and as executive
director of a funding agency.</span></font></i></span><font face=Arial><span
style='font-family:Arial'> <o:p></o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><strong><b><font size=4 face="Monotype Corsiva"><span
style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Monotype Corsiva"'>Linda Mason, Ed.D.</span></font></b></strong><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>Coordinator for Grant Writing and External Funding</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:PlaceName w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Oklahoma</span></font></st1:PlaceName><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> <st1:PlaceType
w:st="on">State</st1:PlaceType></span></font></st1:place><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'> Regents for Higher
Education</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:Street w:st="on"><st1:address w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>655 Research
Parkway, Suite 200</span></font></st1:address></st1:Street><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><font size=2
face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>Oklahoma City</span></font></st1:City><font
size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:Arial'>, <st1:State
w:st="on">OK</st1:State> <st1:PostalCode w:st="on">73104</st1:PostalCode></span></font></st1:place><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>405-225-9486</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'><a href="mailto:lmason@osrhe.edu">lmason@osrhe.edu</a></span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=2 face=Arial><span style='font-size:10.0pt;
font-family:Arial'>IP: 164.58.250.178</span></font><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><font size=3 face="Times New Roman"><span style='font-size:
12.0pt'><o:p> </o:p></span></font></p>
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