For the Program Coordinator

So, you are coordinating PLUS or a PLUS-like program

Congratulations! The role of the coordinator is two-fold: 1) to articulate the core values of PLUS repeatedly and 2) to remind people to do stuff at the appointed hour.

All other functions come back to those main roles. If, at any point, you wonder, "gee, what should I be doing with PLUS?" take action in alignment with those roles.

Main role 1: What are the core values of PLUS?

Integrity, aka personal responsibility. If you say you'll do something, do it. If you tell people something is important, be seen to follow up. Never allow a failure of integrity to go unnoticed; instead, say something like, "we missed you - is everything ok?" Willful lack of integrity (aka "blowing off one's commitments") is not aligned with PLUS values and is grounds for removal from the program, whether the "blowing off" is done by volunteer preceptors, paid senior preceptors, or volunteer professors.

Embrace change (preferably improvement) in skills. The most compelling way to convince preceptors to get better at study groups (and believe me, they all need to get better at leading!) is to be improving your own skills. Tell everyone what you are "working on," whether it's interrupting politely, speaking smoothly, listening more effectively, etc.

Respect the autonomy of other people as participants at whatever level. Expect them to contribute, and provide enough information right away to let them decide whether this experience is for them. Preceptor bit off more than he can chew, schedule-wise? Let him go with a smile and without a guilt trip. Study group attendee decides the study group isn't for her? That's fine.

These values are the things you need to do, then explicitly point out. SPs are your core staff, so use meetings with them to reinforce "the PLUS way."

Integrity: "Sam, I reserved that room your preceptors wanted to switch to, then emailed them directly and cc'ed you - you saw that note?" Say it at a meeting so everyone else knows you follow through.
Embrace Change: "I want to get better at noticing what's happening in study groups, so I will be observing several in the next few weeks."
Respect: "Here's the agenda for today's meeting. Let's make good use of the 35 minutes we have before Jared needs to leave for his exam."

Main role 2: What's the stuff that people have to do?

Broadly speaking, the "stuff" can be divided into two categories. By far the most important one is: show up at a certain time and place, prepared to do a certain task. This covers preceptors leading study groups, senior preceptors leading weekly planning meetings, and instructors providing the content expertise that is their role in PLUS. A minor second activity is: provide information by a certain time so someone else can make a decision about something. This covers scheduling, advertising, and communication about changes to the first categories (i.e., emergency or planned absences).

Specific tasks and timelines for each role are available elsewhere on this wiki.