When the Office of Innovation was implemented in 2007, one of its first projects was to introduce a procedure for the campus to submit new and innovative ideas-whether to simplify a process already in place or to bring something totally new to campus. To get people to think totally outside of the box and maybe even a little wild submissions are dubbed "Wild Endeavors!"
Innovation at BSC is: people implementing new ideas that create value.
Three key components of this definition: 1. New ideas - innovation requires new ideas, new ways of looking at problems and opportunities. It is the development or adoption of new or existing ideas, the creation of new opportunities that are transformative. 2. People implementing them - Innovation is done by people; only people can generate and implement new ideas that create value for the purpose of improving policies, programs, practices, processes, products, services, delivery mechanisms, systems and personnel. Innovation is only finished when an idea has been put into action by people. 3. Value is realized by an external or internal customer through implemented ideas - for the organization, community or other stakeholders.
Innovation at BSC is to be employee driven. The Wild Endeavors process and funding was developed for the purpose of streamlining the budget and implementation process for those that have an innovative idea and are willing to champion the idea. The Office of Innovation also receives many innovative ideas that are good for BSC but those with the ideas are not willing- due to a variety of reasons- to champion the idea. At this time, BSC uses the annual strategic planning process to prioritize these along with all initiatives. The ideas, if deemed a high priority, may become implemented as a strategy during the traditional strategic planning process.
Submission Instructions Help! I've got an innovative idea - what do I need to do?
Let's say you have a really cool, new and innovative idea that makes life on campus easier (it could be simplifying a process, or bringing something totally new to campus). What should you do with that idea?
1. If you are willing to champion an idea, begin filling out a Wild Endeavor submission form. Some questions have been raised as to when a Wild Endeavor Submission Form needs to be filled out. The form has been recently revised and although it may appear longer, it doesn't take long to complete and will help you think of the necessary questions to move your project along. On the new form there are sections where you can simply share a good idea, or report on what others on campus are doing innovatively.
Both BSC's Vision and Mission statements are tied into being an innovative community college, so we are probably incorporating innovative processes into our work all the time. If your department is doing this and it comes directly from your budget then we would love for you to simply report those innovative activities you are doing. However, if your innovative idea is larger, and your department did not budget for it in the current fiscal year, you may want to complete the Wild Endeavor submission form and go through the process of working up the project plan and request funding from the Office of Innovation. If you get stuck in filling out the form, or simply don't know whether you should just report the idea or submit the idea, please feel free to call the Office of Innovation at 224-2531.
3. You will be scheduled to present your idea to the Wild Endeavor Implementation Committee within one month of submitting your form. Presenting your idea is very low-key, all you need to do is talk about the passion you have for your endeavor and answer the committee's questions.
4. Once you have met with the committee a determination will be made as to whether the Wild Endeavor is truly innovative and worth pursuing.
5. If the Wild Endeavor is given the go ahead, you and your team will be asked to complete an Action Plan. A campus facilitator will be assigned to your team to help you with this process.
If your idea is not given the go ahead, do not despair, your idea can still go to the CETI blog/Innovation page for further input and tweaking from others on campus.
6. Once the Action Plan is completed, it will go again to the implementation committee for final approval. If approval is given, the team can begin implementation of the idea.
NOTE: Funds provided for implementation are a one-time payment. For the process to continue from year to year it would need to be placed in a department's budget.
If the idea to be implemented is beyond the scope of the implementation committee (requiring a new position, etc.), the committee will recommend the idea to both the Operations Council and the Executive Committee for implementation and funding.
More a visual person? Here's a flow chart of the process:
WE Submission Form (document) File Size: 83.61 kb
Wild Endeavors Submission Form
Implementation Committee
Meet the Wild Endeavor Implementation Committee:
**OC Members - Bruce Emmil, Lane Huber and Elmer Weigel (no terms)
A cross-functional campus team has volunteered to be a part of a committee that meets on the last Thursday of each month to discuss any new Wild Endeavor submissions and to meet the champions of these new projects to ask questions and learn more about their passion for their project.
Each committee member has a three-year rotating term. If you are interested in serving on this committee please contact Sue Hartley or Carla Hixson at susan.hartley@bismarckstate.edu or carla.hixson@bismarckstate.edu and we can put your name on the ballot for the next election.
In 2011:
Wild Endeavor Implementation Committee Meetings - Meeting in the Prairie Room of the Student Union
June 30 July 28 August 25 September 29 October 27
If you have a Wild Endeavor to submit and you submit it prior to the above listed dates they can be heard during the same month!
Wild Endeavor Archives Have you ever wondered?
What were some of the Wild Endeavors that were submitted and didn't get the go ahead? What were some of the Wild Endeavors that received immediate implementation? What Wild Endeavors still need Champions? What Wild Endeavors are currently being worked on?
Check out the status of all the ideas that have passed through the Office of Innovation:
