Special Collections Working Group

Minutes

December 5, 2003

Present: Baughman, Hammett, McElrath (timekeeper), Sakaguchi (facilitator), Vikor (note taker)

Minutes. Minutes of the November 7 meeting were approved. All previous minutes are now posted on the Special Collections website. (Thanks to Jennie Levine for making this possible.)

Vision Statement. Those present did additional work on the draft vision statement for Special Collections. Sakaguchi will do the appropriate follow-up with Brown and Wasserstrom, revise the document, and distribute to the group before the next meeting.

Mission Statement. The group made a few changes to the draft mission statement for Special Collections. Hammett and McElrath will revise the existing draft to incorporate points made and distribute to the group before the next meeting. The entire group will review both mission and visions statements one more time on Dec. 19.

Sharing Mission, Vision, and Values Work with Staff.
It was concluded that the most effective strategy is to engage the staff in small group discussions rather than convening a meeting of the entire staff. Working Group members will conduct sessions with staff in their respective departments/units and solicit input. Vikor will send out in advance of these sessions: (1) a message to this effect; (2) the draft statements; (3) brief working definitions of mission, vision, and values from the Oct. 17 meeting; and (4) the following suggested discussion questions:

• What do you like about each of the statements? What does it say to you?
  
• Is there anything missing?
  
• How can we embrace these statements and incorporate them into our work?

Goal Areas and Priorities
It was concluded that the entire group needs to be present to tackle this major topic. Discussion is deferred to the Dec. 19 meeting. Baughman distributed a handout based on the May retreat notes. We will need to talk about the elements
appropriate to each goal/priority.

Other
McElrath raised the possible impact of other discussions occurring at the same time as those of the Working Group: leaders discussion, merit, and Special Collections Collaborative.

Next Meeting
Dec. 19 at 10am in the McK East Asia Meeting Room

Roles: Facilitator: Wasserstrom; Note taker: Brown; Timekeeper: Vikor

Agenda: (1) Finalize drafts of mission and vision statements for distribution and discussion with staff; (2) work on goal areas and priorities (i.e., become concrete with the goals); and (3) schedule meetings for the New Year.

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