Desert Messenger

30 www.DesertMessenger.com January 17, 2018 In November 2016 Arizona Western College (AWC) President Dr. Daniel Corr launched a 15-month Strategic Planning Initiative. He worked with the Classifi ed Association, Faculty Senate, and the President's Cabinet to select Biridiana Martinez, Ellen Riek, and Lori Stofft as tri-chairs for this process. Dr. Corr gave only two directions for the tri-chairs: make the strate- gic planning process inclusive, and make it transparent. Research into successful strategic planning at oth- er institutions and preliminary dis- cussions with consultants revealed that we should develop a Task Force with balanced representation from our 3 employee groups, to collabo- rate with President's Council and AWC students to drive our Strategic Planning process. Strategic plans often mean a change in organizational structure or a move toward change. Change can be a diffi cult process and some- times requires time. It is important to get employees on board with the decision making process. This can be articulated through the mission and vision statement of the organi- zation. Articulating and repeating the positives of the move toward change in the organization will help employees stay engaged and moti- vated in the process. On December 11, 2017 the Arizona Western College District Governing Board approved the revision of the mission and vision statements for the college. Lori Stofft presented the fi nal proposed Mission and Vision Statement to Board. She shared the collaboration of the change of these statements driven by the District Gov- erning Board. She read the Mission Statement and Vision Statements pro- posed. Board Member Richard Lamb motioned to approve the Mission and Vision Statement as proposed. Board Member Melissa Wright seconded the motion; Motion carried. • Mission: Transforming lives through education and partnerships to create thriving communities • Vision: Cultivating generations who value knowledge, foster inde- pendence, eliminate poverty, and create vital, equitable, and sustain- able communities A successful change will involve communicating and repeating mis- sion and vision statements, which helps prevent people from becom- ing discouraged in the event of small failures along the way. Lead- ers should continue to highlight the strengths of the strategic plans and involve important stakeholders in the process. Engaging employees and volunteers will help them to recognize and take ownership of the change. Involving employees also helps to provide more minds to pre- vent possible problems. The staff and faculty look forward to supporting the revised Mission and Vision statements to improve the communities that we serve. There will be an "Unveil of the Stra- tegic Plan Event" on January 25, 2018 at 1pm at the Parker Learning Center. This event will provide the fi nal results of all the data that has been gathered. Please register at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/awc-strategic- p l a n - u n v e i l i n g - p a r k e r - t i c k e t s - 41477608644 to attend the event. If you have any questions about the educational opportunities that we offer please feel free to contact us. Parker Learning Center 1109 S. Geronimo Ave Parker, AZ 85344 928-669-2214 Quartzsite Learning Center 695 N. Kofa Ave Quartzsite, AZ 85346 928-927-8299 awc.lapaz@azwestern.edu AWC Strategic plan Quartzsite Off Road Atlas now updated! Quartzsite Off-Road, a division of the non-profi t Quartzsite Im- provement Association (QIA), is now offering the NEW, UPDATED, QUARTZSITE OFF-ROAD ATLAS. It is the defi nitive guide to off-road. The new copy is $10 less than last season, and is bigger, and better... complete with BLM access route numbers and clear topography. Available at: QIA, Chambers of Commerce, Tyson Wells Game Store/ Of- fi ce, QZ General Store, Roadrunner Market, Best Auto, Herb's Hardware, QZ Museum, Miner's Depot, Reader's Oasis Books, Hardie's Beads and Jewelry, The Eatery, Mt. Quail Cafe, Horizon Community Bank, and QZ Outpost. All proceeds go to promote off-road information, safet y, and current off- road activities in the Quartzsite Region. For a downloadable version of the maps see: www.quartzsiteoffroad.com Quartzsite Off-Road, a division of the non-profi t Quartzsite Im-

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