FOCUS AREAS ______________________________________________________

Focus Teams were established to advise the National Sea Grant College Program on developing and accomplishing the goals and strategies outlined in the four focus areas.

Nominations for members from Sea Grant and the broader community were solicited from the Sea Grant network and its partners and recommendations were vetted with the leadership of the National Sea Grant Office (NSGO) and the Sea Grant Association (SGA). Members include Sea Grant directors, researchers, extension agents, educators, communicators, NSGO staff, National Advisory Board members, and outside experts. Members function on behalf of the entire Sea Grant network, and not the individual propgrams or organizations they represent. Focus Team appointment is for the duration of the strategic planning period or through 2013.

1) Facilitate planning, implementation, synthesis, and reporting of Sea Grant activities and accomplishments by:

- Participating in developing the national strategic and implementation plans.
- Reviewing annual reports to provide a national story about Sea Grant contributions in the focus area.
- Assessing progress in achieving the outcomes identified in the national plan and recommend mid-course adjustments, if any.

2) Identify new opportunities and directions for Sea Grant national and regional initiatives by:

- Articulating and promoting the need for regional and national programming.
- Assisting in the development and/or review of national and regional strategic investments.
- Developing white papers or think pieces that convey new opportunities or approaches for Sea Grant relative to the focus area.
- Reviewing regional research and information plans to identify new opportunities for national and/or regional initiatives.
- Recommending new initiatives for funding in the NOAA budget process.

3) Catalyze cooperative efforts among Sea Grant College Programs, the NSGO, NOAA, and other agencies and stakeholder organizations, including NGOs, by:

- Developing strategies and forming partnerships with other NOAA programs, agencies or NGOs.
- Prioritizing and developing action plans for achieving partnership development.

4) Provide a mechanism to further solidify Sea Grant's local, regional, and national identity by:

- Organizing and/or sponsoring or co-sponsoring national level conferences, symposia, and other educational initiatives.
- Working with NSGO communications staff to develop news releases, media events, etc. that highlight Sea Grant impacts in the focus area.