In keeping with the underlying theme of WIRED to think creatively and act in a nontraditional manner, Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative has structured its grant support team to move beyond the traditional hierarchal structure normally found in boards and committees and projects of this type. To begin this transformational relationship within the 19 public/private agencies and organizations of NSAI, the following “Partnership Principles” were crafted to provide overall guidance:
- Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative is industry driven, industry led.
- Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative’s partners all have an equal voice.
- Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative’s partners will be treated respectfully and professionally and be shown due courtesy.
- Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative’s partners will make every attempt to resolve conflicts where they occur and accordingly be responsible for their actions.
- Maine’s North Star Alliance Initiative’s partners will be encouraged to actively participate in all Initiative activities by bringing forth pertinent and creative thought while demonstrating a “universal” and open approach to new information, and by a demonstration of positive support of the Initiative, both within the partnership structure and to the State of Maine as a whole.
The governor’s office is the recipient of the WIRED project and provides the overall vision to NSAI serving as the highest level of public relations and visibility to the NSAI. The link between this office and the concurrently running activities related to the Brunswick Naval Air Station closing is provided by the governor’s liaison who also maintains communications with the governor’s advisory board. The relationship of these three bodies is established through common membership that crosses each entity and several related functions.
Maine’s North Star Alliance management team consists of a program manager and a deputy program manager. Each was hired for their complimentary strengths and professional background that they bring to the team. They report up to the governor’s liaison and engage in a two way communication and responsibility sharing with the Executive Committee.
The Executive Committee is comprised of the NSAI management team, the governor’s liaison, the four pillar leads, the grant’s fiscal agent, representation from the private venture sector, executive representation from two professional association organizations, and commissioner level representation from the Maine Departments of Labor, Economic and Community Development, and Education. This committee serves as the on-the-ground clearing house that puts NSAI related issues into proper form and then presents to the Steering Committee for action. It is here that pillar activity is monitored for compliance with NSAI and USDOL goals and strategies. Though the NSAI program manager plans and facilitates committee meetings, the structure is flat with all members having equal voice and input. Decision making is reached on a consensus basis. Minor issues can be addressed at this level.
The Steering Committee is the final decision making body on major topics and also utilizes a consensus of the majority system. The committee is comprised of executive committee members as well as representation from private industry, formal education, workforce investment boards, jobs council, local government, additional industry associations, and research and development. The committee continues to solicit for further representation from the targeted sector. The committee meets quarterly and utilizes electronic transmission of periodic highlight reports, collaboration exercised within each of the individual pillars as well as both the USDOL shared and the NSAI website as methods of communication.
