Final Report Format

Below is the format that our editor, Terry Kennedy, asks us to adopt when writing the final reports for each committee.

In the interests of making these reports as parallel as possible, I am asking that each committee report in the following way:

I. 

Executive Summary

A.

The executive summary should be structured chronologically as a plan of action moving from the most immediate concerns; that is, those things that must be put into place now, and then move to a projection that includes those items that must be completed within 3-5 years, and finally a projection that includes long-terms goals that must be implemented in 5-10 years.

B. 

Each chronologically arranged section should include a supporting rationale.

II.

Supporting Documentation

A.

Please include in this section a review of the methodologies that were used to complete the research of the respective committees.  This would include, for example, lists of questions asked for surveys, polls, interviews, and focus groups.  A rationale for the methodology may be included as necessary for clarity.

B. 

The supporting documentation be appended separately from the executive summary. This would include all requisite charts, graphs, and pictorial representations.

III.

Formatting

A.

Please have all documents and graphs formatted in MS Word.  This simplifies the word processing process.

B.

All reports should follow manuscript convention.  That is, please have them double-spaced with standard margins. 

As we have discussed, the final editing procedure will be to review all reports and identify contradictions and points that need further clarification.  After we reconvene to iron out these issues, I will compile a larger report that will parallel the individual committee reports.  When points of clarification remain unresolved, I will include these as such.  The final report will then be submitted to the committee for final review and comment.