We are just putting this page together, so it is still a draft, but here are some ideas…. write your comments and we will try to incorporate them.
Words that help Giants of the Earth Heritage Center “begin with the end in mind.”
Community-to be uncompromising in our desire to make our community a continuously better and more nuturing place in which to raise a family.
Committment-be assured that Giants volunteers are “all in.” We don’t think that our children, our families, our community, our ancestors, our values, or even our land, for that matter, are things to be taken lightly. This isn’t something we are sitting on the fence about–or that we do to pass the time between episodes of Young and the Restless. The torch has been passed to all of us in this generation of the living, and we, like you, do not intend to let it go out.
Respect-to always recognize that we must compromise with our neighbors, and listen to their concerns and values
Value-to deliver valuable services to the community that promote multigenerational stewardship
Appreciation of Members and Donors-because the people who support Giants’ mission are crucial for making our community a better place to raise a family, they deserve continuous special recognition for hearing the call and answering.
Appreciation of Volunteers–When working with an organization of volunteers, appreciation is important. Rewarding helpfulness with appreciation rather than demanding results leads to more results and faster. As Stephen Covey writes, “When dealing with people, slow is fast, and fast is slow.” For volunteer organizations such as Giants of the Earth Heritage Center, it is not just about where we are right now that matters. It isn’t just about how flashy our group looks or sounds; how sexy our branding is; or how fast we appear to be accomplishing our goals (although these things are good). What matters ultimately is that the group is headed in the right direction; that its workers understand and are committed to its core mission; and that they all are acting in a respectful manner that allows them to get along well. As long as the group is developing properly, and its workers are following principles, it will be unstoppable.
Trust-to be honest, fair, ethical, law-abiding, and transparent in all our activities
Efficiency-to deliver services in a cost-effective way which recognizes the opportunity cost of individuals’ and families’ time and money.
Friendship-to be ever friendly to those in our community–as no one joins the cause of unfriendly people, no matter how good their cause.
Sustainability-to think about the long term implications for our actions
Authentic Communication-no community ever developed without authentic communication–which is an exchange of ideas rather than simply talking about the weather. Conflicting ideas are the building blocks of greater ideas that resolve conflicts by subsuming the truths of the two conflicting ideas. Thesis+antithesis eventually leads to synthesis. Growth is good.
Literacy–Communication in the absence of accurate or relevant information is simply exchanging ignorance. Reading authoritative books in any field are a time tested means of preparing oneself to be a good contributor to a discussion in that field.
Attitude of Gratitude-To recognize that we are not entitled to community support, but we must continuously earn it by demonstrating our effectiveness at delivering services. And even if we do work for it, to still be grateful for others’ support.
Discernment-to recognize that experience plus intelligence tends to yield wisdom, and to defer to wisdom all other things being equal.
Respect for our town’s unique ways–to recognize that marketing techniques that work in big cities may be offputting to people in a small town.
Openness-to embrace all those who seek to be good stewards of themselves, their family, and our community no matter what their background (even Swedes).
Prosperity-to bring employment, funding, and friendly people to our community.
