Last year, RCC’s executive assistants were asked to take on a deceptively simple challenge: untangling the everyday systems we all rely on—but don’t all use the same way.
The process began with listening. Through collegewide surveys like “Tell Us About Your Tech,” monthly Admin Team meetings, and one-on-one conversations, the team asked:
- What tools do you use every day?
- Where do you get stuck?
- What slows you down?
The patterns were clear: Everyone was solving the same problems, but in different ways. That inconsistency, while well-intentioned, led to confusion, duplicated effort and digital clutter.
Then, last fall, President Randy Weber named “Systems Thinking” as one of RCC’s Big 5 priorities—a perfect backdrop for what the team had already been working toward: The Rogue Way.
They combined community input with guidance from Microsoft and research from institutions like Harvard Medical School, York University and the Oregon State Archives. The result? A set of shared standards and real-world tools for Teams, Outlook and file organization designed to meet RCC’s needs.
Trail Recap: Each Stop Along the Way
Each weekly topic used a hiking metaphor—short, memorable and designed to make the concepts stick. Here’s your trail journal:
- Templates: The essentials in your pack. Tools to help meetings start strong, stay focused and wrap up clearly.
- Naming Conventions: Your trailheads and signposts. Helping you stay oriented and find files quickly.
- Microsoft Teams: Your basecamps. Organized, central hubs where teams gather and contribute.
- Outlook Appointments: Your trail itinerary. Ensuring no one falls behind or misses the summit.
- The Rogue Way Map: Your digital map—housing every guide, template and tool on the RCC intranet.
What’s in Your Pack: Tools Now Available
The Rogue Way is more than a concept—it’s a toolkit. Available resources include:
- RCC Agenda Template
- RCC Notes Template
- RCC Minutes Template
- Naming Conventions Guide
- File Naming 1-Pager
- Archiving Guide
- Teams Setup Handbook
- Outlook Invite Guide
The Rogue Way: Interactive Lab at Spring Inservice
Learning the system is one thing—implementing it is another. If you have a cluttered Teams space, outdated folders or a calendar full of mystery invites, now is your moment.
Join us for a hands-on working session during Spring Inservice. Bring your real materials and experienced staff will help you clean up, rename, restructure and move toward The Rogue Way.
Spring Inservice – Thursday, May 9
Register via this week’s Rogue Report
No slides. No speeches. Just hands-on help.
For more information, please contact Cara Lumpkin on Teams or by phone at 541-956-7394.