Friday July 25, 2008
23:29:16 EST |
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Vision Statement: Families, youth, businesses, organizations and governments working together to positively change and enhance the quality of life for all people of Winchester and Clark County.
WHO ARE WE?
Stand Up for Winchester and Clark County involves people of all ages and from all walks of life -- including educators, business owners, students, farmers, employees, government officials, ministers, health care professionals, and individuals -- who care about our community and its future. We envision our impact to be felt throughout Winchester and Clark County in a variety of ways.
WHAT IS OUR PURPOSE?
This grass roots effort is dedicated to celebrating the strengths of Winchester and Clark County, while at the same time, addressing identified areas of concern determined to affect the quality of life in our community.
Our comprehensive background studies and community profiling over the past five years have identified the ongoing issues of teenage/unwed mothers, youth health concerns (tobacco, drugs, alcohol), poor school attendance and high school dropouts, adult literacy, low paying/low skill jobs, and children living in poverty.
Our mission is to specifically and creatively address these issues not through additional programs, but through positive communications, constructive reinforcement, volunteer efforts and resource coordination.
WHAT ARE OUR GOALS?
- To encourage families, individuals, organizations, businesses and service providers to embrace our Vision Statement by establishing their own measurable goals and objectives.
- To coordinate resources that already exist throughout the community, making it easier to get involved.
- To provide accountability and support through a unified partnership.
- To promote the positive aspects of the Winchester-Clark County community and celebrate the diverse, talented and good people who live and work here.
- To stress the limitless potential of a community that lives in unity and cooperation; shares a progressive vision for the future; and continually strives to enhance our quality of life.
HOW DO WE PLAN TO ACHIEVE THIS?
A diverse and community-based core committee will provide leadership throughout the effort.
| Business & Industry: |
Charmagne Castle/Chamber of Commerce |
| Health & Human Services: |
Len Midden |
| Agriculture: |
Rick Mink and John Hendricks |
| Government: |
Dodd Dixon and John Myers |
| Education: |
Barbara Disney |
| Individuals, Family and Youth: |
Roy Turley |
| Church Community: |
Graham Johns
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Will Hodgkin is the executive chairperson, and Cora Heffner, Lisa Stephens and the Clark County Community Education Program will provide staff support.
Targeting the three important areas of health, education and standard of living, our leadership team encourages involvement and support from as many sectors of the community as possible.
WHAT HAVE WE DONE SO FAR?
2000: The Winchester-Clark County Visioning effort begins through a joint venture of the Clark County Community Foundation and the Clark County Fiscal Court.
2001: A committee is formed and begins completing the background work, including gathering statistics and studying community profiles.
2002: Using input from public hearings, each sector of the leadership team prioritizes issues and determines specific objectives. Discussions focus on where each area stands now and where it hopes to be in the future.
2003: A local ordinance establishes a joint Community Visioning Committee. This committee will report to city and county governments annually on the needs of the community, and how the public and private sectors are working together to meet those needs.
2004: The leadership team expands, adopts the name Stand Up For Winchester and Clark County, and begins developing a plan to be kicked off early in 2005.
2005: The leadership team receives official support from city and county governments; and team members begin spreading the word throughout the community about the Stand Up initiative through speaking engagements and meetings.
2006: Reports were presented to the local governments and the school board regarding the visioning project. Each group was asked to adopt a Community Strategic Planning Resolution stating that the city and county governments and the school board support long-term strategic planning and that they will work collaboratively with all areas of the community to establish long range plans and goals. The resolutions were adopted and signed with all agreeing to implement long range planning in 2007.
WHY DO WE BELIEVE IN THIS EFFORT?
Each member of our team loves Winchester and Clark County and believes in our potential as an independent, dynamic community where individuals, businesses, educators, agricultural groups, government agencies, churches, organizations, and service providers work together in unity and where positive attitudes prevail.
We want our community to be:
- a place where people enjoy living and are able to receive the help and support they need to be productive citizens;
- a place where high school and college graduates want to settle, establish their careers, and raise their families;
- a place where industries desire to locate and where businesses can thrive; and
- a place people are proud to call home.
Using the numerous outstanding characteristics of Winchester and Clark County as our foundation, we want to improve our community as a whole, touching every possible corner and involving every possible perspective.
WHAT ARE OUR KEY BELIEFS?
- We can't change behavior until we change attitude!
- There is no COMMUNITY without UNITY.
- There is no limit to the ways in which we can Stand Up For Winchester & Clark County.
- We herald this not as a program, but as a personality that our community embraces: Everyone CAN make a difference!
If you wish to partner with this planning and visioning effort through volunteerism or with financial or other resources, please contact us.
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