Last June at the Eastside Pathways kick-off event, we started a discussion when we asked the question, “What are the values we believe are important to embrace?” The values wordle summarized that. On March 10 we will continue the discussion with a facilitated exercise to further define our values as an organization and a community.
What Is a Values Statement? Values are a set of beliefs that govern the actions and choices of an individual or organization. A values statement is important because it:
- Communicates to the organization’s stakeholders (community, staff, leadership, and partners) what is important to the organization
- Extends the mission and vision with criteria for deciding what we should focus on and how we should act
- Fosters trust among employees, leadership, and stakeholders
- Inspires staff, board, donors, and partners
- Defines standards of behavior
- Provides a framework for making tough decisions
Twenty-five to thirty people will be invited to participate in this activity. Ten of them will be from the Eastside Pathways Core Team. The others will be community members. The goal of the nomination committee will be to select a group of individuals that will make a constructive contribution to this effort, bring different viewpoints and perspectives, and embody the diversity of the Bellevue School District.
Nomination Committee:
- Barb Tuininga, Community Involvement Coordinator, City of Bellevue
- Fa’izah Bradford, Community Engagement Liaison, Bellevue School District
- Frida Kumar, Community Volunteer
- Helena Stephens, Family, Youth & Teen Services Manager, City of Bellevue
- Iris Cuevas, City of Bellevue Intern
- Kevin Henry, Communications Coordinator Cultural Diversity, City of Bellevue
- Lourdes Salazar, Program Coordinator, City of Bellevue, President, Eastside Leadership Leader Forum
- Marcia Isenberger, Regional Executive Director, YMCA of Greater Seattle
- Silvia Honores, Family Outreach Coordinator, Bellevue School District
- Bill Henningsgaard, Acting Executive Director, Eastside Pathways
- Janet Levinger, Treasurer, Eastside Pathways
- Tracy Maury, Board Secretary, Eastside Pathways
- John Stokes, Bellevue City Councilmember, Trustee, Eastside Pathways
- Judy Buckmaster, Bellevue School District Director of Student Services, Trustee, Eastside Pathways
- Patrick Foran, Director of Parks and Community Services, City of Bellevue, Trustee, Eastside Pathways
- Roxanne Shepherd, Executive Director Bellevue Schools Foundation, Trustee, Eastside Pathways
- Susan Sullivan, Trustee, Eastside Pathways
Regala is the organization that will facilitate the values exercise. Regala’s mission is to promote leadership development, multicultural proficiency, organizational development and system transformation for individuals and organizations.