Common Grounds 2011 Client Request for Proposal

DEADLINE: December 1, 2010

SEND TO: info@CommonGroundsMN.org

The Common Grounds Steering Committee requests proposals for a consulting project for the Spring
semester starting in January 2011.

Guided by the principle that complex problems require collaboration across disciplines, Common Grounds
brings together approximately thirty students from the University of Minnesota’s Carlson School of
Management, Humphrey Institute of Public Affairs, and Law School. Common Grounds engages community
issues from an interdisciplinary approach by providing professional research and consultation to businesses and
organizations. In addition, Common Grounds provide students with a forum to develop collaborative ideas
and to promote integrative leadership.

We ask that any participant is able to attend a meeting of our whole group on a Monday morning in early
February during which you can present the project and outline several areas of research for our members to
pursue.

Members of Common Grounds will work together in groups to research the project over a two-month
period. We will ask you to direct us to materials you think we should investigate and take our own initiative
to find resources to provide the best research product.

We will ask you meet with us again in April in order for us to present our findings and hear your feedback. A
short final report detailing our research will be provided.

We are happy to answer questions about past projects and our method of working, and find that gaining the
basic information this form provides is a great starting place. We would also ask to have at least one meeting
with your organization prior to selection so we can shape the project together and set expectations.
Common Grounds does not charge for these services, but may ask your organization to contribute something
of value for our members, for example a meal for a meeting.

COMMON GROUNDS STEERING COMMITTEE:

Chris Hamsher (Chair), Amelia Brunelle, Anne Huart, Astrid Brouillard, Benjamin Marcy,
Heather Abraham, Mike Osberg, Peter Reese

http://commongroundsmn.org/

If you have any questions, please contact us at: info@CommonGroundsMN.org

 REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL

1. Your Name:

2. How did you hear about Common Grounds (CG)?

3. Client (Organization) Name:

4. Client Mission:

5. Client Address:

6. Client Contacts: (phones) (e-mail) (fax)

6. How would your proposed project engage cross-disciplinary discussions about Law/Business/Public
Policy?

7. Briefly summarize the challenges you face in this project.

8. Why would this problem interest the members of CG?

9. Please list up to three specific deliverables that CG could accomplish for you, the client:

10. List the resources that you could distribute in advance to brief CG members:
11. What are the options you can imagine for using the work groups effectively:?

12. Other comments for Steering Committee consideration: