Initiatives for the Future (IF) at BGSU Firelands is a uniquely FIRELANDS initiative operating with the full support of the Dean and with concurrence of the Provost!

Think out loud. Express your ideas. Talk with family and friends and workmates.
Write to your local paper. Become a Supporter of the Future of the Firelands! Join us as partners.

The FUTURE of the FIRELANDS: Do we create the future for this region or wait for outside events to create it? The Initiatives for the Future (IF) at Firelands proposes that we take action to shape our own future and to start the process, now!

The purpose of the Initiatives for the Future (IF) is to integrate the study of the future into the role and mission of BGSU Firelands.   

IF at BGSU Firelands is unconditionally committed to the goal of futuring; to improve the future through better preparation and decision-making in the present.

IF at BGSU Firelands seeks to be a catalyst for change and a vehicle to actively support the community by

• providing leadership in futuring that bridges community voices and the time continuum,
• launching forums on futures thinking to focus community concerns,
• acting as a clearinghouse for dissemination of futures information and instructional expertise.

IF at BGSU Firelands will value-add to the BG Perspectives and BGeX by integrating “futures” curricular material into students’ learning experience.

IF at BGSU Firelands will create opportunities for Firelands faculty to engage in Scholarship of Engagement (SoE) activities and for Firelands student to participate in service learning.

IF at BGSU Firelands has the following 3-5 year GOALS:

1. Leadership Priorities
   1. Establish an institutional membership and seek a “partner” relationship with the World Futures Society (www.wfs.org)
   2. Establish a collaborative network affiliation with the Institute for the Future at Anne Arundel College in Maryland for open sourcing ideas and materials
   3. Connect with isolated futurists and futuring organizations throughout the state and region
   4. Network with local areas organizations: business, government, education, not-for-profits, community groups and citizens
2. Forum Priorities
   1. Develop Public Futures presentation(s) to provide exposure to “futuring”
   2. Host Workshop(s) to develop understanding of “futuring” perspectives and skills
   3. Convene Futures Conference(s) to extend outreach beyond local area
   4. Host Online and face-to-face round-table discussion(s) facilitating ongoing communication
   5. Develop a community Think Tank for leveraging expertise
   6. Create a campus wide “futures” learning community
3. Clearinghouse Priorities
   1. For Credit Offerings through BGSU Firelands curriculum:
      1. Facilitate integration of futuring perspectives and methodologies into undergraduate courses across-the-curriculum
      2. Facilitate integration the study of the future into BGeXperience (“V”) courses (Dr. George Agich)
      3. Create (pilot) a unique undergraduate FUTURING course for the BGSU Firelands curriculum developed in conjunction with the requirements of the BG Perspectives (Dr. Steve Langendorfer)
      4. Develop “futuring” materials for dissemination and use in public K-12 school systems and non-traditional “at-risk” youth programs
      5. Create service learning opportunities for students enrolled in FUTURING courses
   2. Non-Credit Offerings through the Office for Educational Outreach:
      1. Host online “futures” training modules
      2. Create a video library of Futuring presentations
      3. Sponsor training workshops on methodologies, tools and applications to grow local “futuring” expertise
      4. Provide consultation service
      5. Provide research opportunities through the development of surveys and databases (futures outlooks and trend analysis from the local community)
4. Financial Support as a NOT-for-PROFIT
   1. Initial financial Start-Up assistance from BGSU Firelands
      1. Strive for financial self-sufficiency
2. Identify sources for financial support (grants, gifts, programming fees, consultation fees, honorariums earned)
   1. Prepare documental to request financial support (Mylander Foundation, CITE/PCA/Service Learning grants, EON, Business sponsorship)

You are PERSONALLY being invited to join this exciting, uniquely Firelands initiative!

The reward for our success---a pending “hostile take-over” three to five years out

[for added info →  20608  Kay E. Strong] 16 August 2006 IF-Firelands@bgsu.edu

In the absence of clearly-defined goals, we become strangely loyal to performing daily trivia until ultimately we become enslaved by it. - Robert Heinlein, US Sci-Fi writer (1907 - 1988)