How to Form an FLC
The FCTL supports the creation of new FLCs and provides resources to facilitators to promote the success of their communities of practice.
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Selected FLCs receive a budget of $2000 per semester.
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Primary FLC facilitators receive a stipend of $750 per semester.
Planning your FLC
Identify a Shared Purpose
Identifying the common purpose for the community is central to an FLC. While FLCs do spend time getting to know each other and build relationships over time, they are distinguished by the topic of interest bringing the group together. In communities of practice have a shared vision and mission.
Defining community purpose supports the overall success of the group. People who join the FLC find clarity in the group's focus and are able to select a community most aligned to their interests and level of involvement (networking, discussion, writing, advocacy, etc...).
Joining a group focused on a specific pedagogical practice will likely be very different than one involved in campus-wide teaching and learning initiatives.
Define the FLC Goals
Part of being involved in an FLC is supporting each member's individual goal-setting and progress in reaching those goals. Individual member goals should be aligned to over-arching group goals. Establishing clear community outcomes with established checkpoints sets the group's direction and provides opportunities for reflection on the group's progress towards achieving its goal.
3 Guiding Principles
1. Learning
Conversations focus on teaching and learning and are informed by evidence-based practices. Community members engage in critical reflective practice and are encouraged to share and grow together.
2. Collaboration
Community members are actively engaged and meet regularly in a safe, inclusive environment that values all perspectives and contributions.
3. Results
The community creates goals that focus on student learning outcomes and deliverables for their FLC.
What Type of an FLC are your forming?
What will characterize the community when it is successful and has met its goal?
FCTL Support for FLCs
Management of Funds
FCTL supported FLCs will receive a budget of $2000 per semester budget to cover costs associated with the FLC (books, supplies, catering, bringing in an outside speaker, conference fees, continued professional development). The FCTL will manage funds for the FLC and can help with ordering, payments, and tracking of expenses related to hosting the community.
In addition to supporting costs associated with FLC operations, the primary FLC facilitator will receive a stipend of $750 per semester for leading the FLC.
Logistics
- Marketing
- Registration
- Space
- Catering Orders
Evaluation Services
The FCTL conducts a program evaluation on FCTL-supported FLCS to gather information about the success of the program. FLCs are encouraged to design and implement methods for evaluating the group's progress towards community outcomes. The FCTL can support the creation and management of community-specific strategies for identifying community progress.
What to Include in an FLC Proposal
- FLC Name
- Facilitator Name
- Semester/Year
- Description of your FLC
- Abstract (100-150 Words)
- Specific Goals/Outcomes (must be tied to faculty/student learning outcomes/impacts)
- Meeting plan (dates, times, and descriptions of session topic/outcomes). The plan should include a semester minimum of 4-5 sessions with a total of 10 contact hours spread across the semester).
- Proposed Itemized Budget ($2000 per semester)
- Methods for assessing progress towards meeting FLC goals/outcomes. How will you measure your FLCs progress and success?
- Deliverables to demonstrate evidence of FLC impact. Please provide a description of deliverables which may be generated to communicate evidence of the impact of your FLC on the university, faculty, and/or students. Deliverables and evidence of impact should align to FLC goals and focus on teaching and learning.
Submitting the FLC Proposal Form
Form a New FLC

What happens after I submit my idea for an FLC?
If your idea for an FLC is accepted, we will schedule a planning meeting to provide additional information and support to facilitators.
Important Timelines & Deadlines
June 1, 2023 | Deadline: FLC Proposals for Fall |
June - August | Fall FLC Registration Period |
August - December | Fall FLCs in Session |
October 15 | Deadline: FLC Proposals for Spring |
November 1 | Notification of proposal status |
November | Spring FLC Facilitators Meeting (Information & Planning) |
November - January | Spring FLC Registration Period |
January - May | Spring FLCs in Session |
March 15, 2024 | Deadline: FLC Proposals for Fall |
April 1, 2024 | Notification of proposal status |
May, 2024 | Fall FLC Facilitators Meeting (Information & Planning) |
May - August, 2024 | Fall FLC Registration Period |