LifeWise Launch Process
The success of LifeWise Academy’s nationwide expansion is a direct result of how this program was developed. Joel Penton set out with a marketing degree, a game plan and grand goal to bring his Release Time Religious Instruction program into every public school in the country. How was he going to accomplish this? By creating a replicable plug-and-play system for the implementation of his RTRI franchise. This model is one of the most distinguishable differences between LifeWise and other traditional RTRI programs.
This model started out with a 10 step launch process, but for LifeWise’s own tracking purposes and internal organizing, it has since been expanded to 12. These are the steps that local organizers must work through to launch a LifeWise program in their local school districts. While corporate leaders provide all the training, templates, guidance and regional marketing, local organizers are responsible for using those tools to complete this process.
Each of the steps are listed below to provide a clearer understanding of the process. The time frame listed for each of them is LifeWise’s own estimation of how long the step will take.
Step 0 – Under 10 Signatures
A Community Interest List is available or started for your district. This step is not part of the official process but had been added internally by LIfeWise for tracking purposes.
Step 1 – Collect 50 Signatures
Community members sign an online Community Interest List to say, “Yes, I’d like to see a local LifeWise started.”
(1-4 Weeks)
Step 2 – Join a Kickoff Meeting
Your community gathers physically in a local church and joins a virtual meeting with other communities to learn more about LifeWise and how to move forward.
(1-3 Weeks)
Step 3 – Raise $500
The initial launch fee demonstrates your community is “in” and helps defray the cost of staff time, systems and materials for the next launch phase.
(0-2 Weeks)
Step 4 – Form a Steering Committee
3-9 members representing 3 or more churches unite.
(0-3 Weeks)
Step 5 – Draft a Plan
The committee meets with a LifeWise Coach to set the course and prepare a proposal for school officials.
(2-4 Weeks)
Step 6 – Obtain School Approval
The Plan is presented to school officials with the request of written approval to move forward.
(2-6 Weeks)
Step 7 – Recruit Your Team
Identify a local Director and volunteer board.
(0-6 Weeks)
Step 8 – Train Your Team
Leaders receive in-person and online training.
(2-6 Weeks)
Step 9 – Execute the Plan
The local team manages a t-minus plan with all the necessary details for a successful launch.
(12+ Weeks)
Step 10 – LAUNCH!
Program is live and enrolling students.
Step 11 – Mature Program
If a program has been active for over one school year (seven months) and meet other qualifications, they may be designated as a mature program. This step was developed later, as a way to offer clear guidelines for success and long-term support for successful programs.
