Guilford Central School: Vision, Mission, Values Proceedings
March 6, 2008, 6:30 – 8:00
Present: Beverly Stewart, Jody Hauser, Jason Touchette, Margaret Dale Barrand, Susan Hessey, Adelaide Minott, John Gagnon, Brian Remer, Karen Dugan, Arthur Pettee, Anna Pettee, Chloe Lake, Suzy West, Susan Bergman Miyake, Sue Bos, Julianne Eagan, Katie Buckley, Denise Sampson
Those present identified themselves as Parents (5), Community Members (4), Teachers (3), Faculty (3), Board Members (1), Students (2).
Goal: The purpose of the meeting was to identify and share a common vision for Guilford Central School. Brian Remer acted as facilitator. Group members introduced themselves and the plan for the meeting was explained. Brian mentioned that this was the second of a series of at least four meetings, that each meeting will draw from a wider group of people, and that the conversations we have about the school will be as important as the final outcome (whether that is a new mission statement or an affirmation of the current mission).
Brian explained how important a vision statement can be. If you visit Monadnock State Park, are you there for a picnic, a hike, searching for fungi or old stone foundations? Knowing the vision is like knowing the expected outcome. By the end of the day, we will have collected a pound of mushrooms or climbed to the summit. Our purpose is defined.
The same is true for our school. “We are educating the next generation of Vermont organic farmers.” “We expect all of our graduates to go on to at least two years of college.” These are two very different visions. We would need to do very different things to achieve one or the other!
People were asked to think about what the “big purpose” of the Guilford Central School really is. From a table filled with assorted items, they chose an object that could represent some aspect of the vision they have. People talked together in three small groups about their vision. They identified common themes and made a stab at writing a vision statement. Later each group shared with everyone else. These were the results:
Group One
To provide each child with the emotional, academic, and social foundation to be citizens of the world and to pursue their dreams
Group Two
We hope that the members of the Guilford Central School community have a stable and strong foundation based on kind productive activities that allow them to feel safe and supported enough to change over time and find their true self and their voice within and build new connections.
Group Three
Valuing interconnectedness, belonging, and confidence as being the basis for educational success; ready and open to constantly evolve with regard to learning and teaching; attaining the ability to empathize in order to connect to the world.
General themes people saw in these representations of our vision from among the three groups included:
Providing a foundation for Guilford students
Respecting individuality, each person’s voice, and true self
Fostering the making of connections both locally and globally
Social and emotional awareness: kindness; empathy
Citizenship
Pursuing dreams; soaring
NOTE: Here are some ideas Brian shared within the small groups that everyone may not have heard. They are offered only to help clarify the distinctions between a vision and a mission.
A vision should be inspirational. It may seem hard to achieve in all cases but it should be something worth striving toward. It should excite people and motivate them to try and achieve something that they would not otherwise do on their own. A vision gives everyone a common purpose and target to aim toward.
A mission is usually more specific. It tells what you will do to achieve your vision. It describes the type of work you will do on a regular basis to make your vision a reality. Once you know your mission, you can identify activities to accomplish your mission with discrete action steps for each project.
An example: I might have the vision that “all Americans will enjoy the health benefits of riding a bicycle.” My mission could be “to promote the health benefits of bicycle riding by organizing riding events and providing educational materials.” I would then know the sorts of activities that might accomplish my mission. I might schedule a cross-country bike ride, write a blog about how biking has cured my hypertension, or publish a biking and health newsletter.
Next Meeting: March 27, 2008 from 6:30 to 8:00
We will refine our vision for the school and talk about the values that inform and drive our efforts. Snacks will be provided. Please invite two friends so we can expand our dialogue.
