Guidelines for a Project Proposal

TITLE ON THE TOP LINE

WHAT: Briefly say what you plan (just name the project).

WHY: Briefly say why you are doing this project (to build school spirit, etc.).

WHEN: Time and date.

WHERE: Place.

WHO: (will be involved in this project): Who is going to do this?

HOW: (will project be executed): Here you need to explain what you will do and how it will get done. In your planning, be sure to think about all the problems an administrator might see with the project: security, supervision, transportation, safety, disruption of instruction, etc. Try to cover as many of these points as possible in your explanation. If you don’t write it down, try to have an answer in case your administrator asks. (A good way to do this is to try to imagine all the things that could go wrong with this project.)

FUNDS: How much will this cost and who will pay for it?

CLEAN-UP: Who, how and when?

THANK-YOU’S: Do any need to be written? Who will do this? When will it be done?

BENEFITS: This is your chance to really sell your project. Benefits is a larger topic than “Why.” The Why could be “to show appreciation to staff,” but Benefits could look something like this:

• Students will learn how to plan and execute a project.

• Students will have the opportunity to interact and build positive relationships with staff.

• School unity and morale will improve.

• Staff will realize that students do appreciate their efforts.

EVALUATION: Projects can be evaluated formally or informally, either immediately following completion or at the end of the year. However you do this, you must have evaluations.

COMMITTEE CHAIRPERSON SIGNATURE: It would also be good to have whoever wrote the proposal sign here.

SPONSOR SIGNATURE: Your sponsor must approve before you see an administrator.

The form should be brief, clear and neat. You want it easy to read. Always have a separate copy for your administrator to keep.

ADMINISTRATOR SIGNATURE: Ask principal to sign if he/she approves. (If the administrator does not approve, ask if he/she needs more information or ask what might have made the difference in gaining approval in case you want to propose something similar in the future. In any event, thank him/her for his/her time and interest.)