Preparation for implementation requires attention to a range of issues. While some of these can be tackled during the programme assessment and preliminary stages, unfortunately a number of them must be delayed until the educational plan is further developed.
For this reason, a Voter Education Calendar that is much more detailed than the election calendar is required. Plans must be considered for financing the programme (see Budgeting and Financing). Unless a grant has been obtained in advance of the programme plan, educators need to seek money after developing a plan and before implementing it. This can take a considerable amount of time.
The programme design itself has to be developed in macro and micro detail. Having blocked out the various elements that will be used, curriculum developers and materials producers need to focus on specific micro or lesson plans.
Having established these plans, production of materials has to be commissioned and those that already exist have to be procured, stored, and distributed (see Procurement). Staff have to be recruited and trained (see Staffing).
Any plan will also have to have some degree of flexibility built in to deal with any unforseen developments.
Making Use of What is in Place
This narrative suggests a linear progression, but even when there is little in place before the programme, preparation is based on local conditions. There may be existing staff or materials around which the programme can be developed.
There may be an existing plan that was used to finance the programme before the appointment of the first members of the educational team; or certain goods and services may already have been commissioned.
Having determined one strategy, it may become apparent that there are not sufficient materials for its success, or it may be beyond the capability of available staff. Changes can be made at a macro or, more often, micro level.
Time Lines
Because the preparatory phase has this iterative aspect to it, care should be taken to establish a time line or calendar that allows sufficient time (particularly for materials production and distribution). In addition to this, the calendar should be prepared to allow the programme to develop while it is running. Not only is this be essential if it is to be responsive to feedback from the field, but it ensures that delivery can be condensed into the shortest possible time. It may not be necessary to recruit staff to train voter information officers at a voting station until just before training workshops begin. Or, it might be possible to orient trainers to that programme and then have them engage in other more urgent training. Materials required for that same event also may not be needed until just before the event.
Commitment
The whole preparatory phase is one of marshalling resources and time in the most efficient way possible. Educators who have conducted a similar programme before will find they have a book from which to work. Those conducting a programme for the first time should work as a team to test their plan, and can expect that even with the best possible plan, they will work longer hours and under more pressure than originally expected.
*Especially for election programmers, staff should be employed on this basis from the beginning.
