Guiding Values and Beliefs

How we do our work is as important as what we do.

The content (the what) of our work must be balanced and integrated with the process (the how) used to accomplish it.  Attending only to the “what” creates lists of activities that my be unrelated or in conflict with the issues we seek to address.  Attending only to the “how” is an exercise in self-absorption that never accomplishes anything.  Only by integrating the two can we achieve a balance that will move us forward.

We do with—not to—others.

Be they members, agency staff, or youth, we work with others to accomplish our goals.  The “doing to” mentality objectifies and demeans those we seek to empower.  The “doing with” approach honors and respects the contributions we all bring.

Leaders are everywhere.

We are young and old, paid and volunteer staff, executive directors and direct care workers.  We are people who are interested and are willing to devote ourselves to something.  With support, nourishment, encouragement, and a safe environment in which to practice new skills, we can be successful.  The Network nurtures leaders at all levels.

Learning is a life-long process.

We believe that questions are the answer.  By asking questions and encouraging others to do the same, we can probe beyond the surface of things.  We can explore problems in a new way.  We can discover new approaches.  We can avoid the trap of thinking there is only one right way to do things.

Flexibility begets creativity.

Because there is no one right way to do things, we encourage people to take new approaches, to do things in a way that fits the particular situation even when it’s not exactly the way that it has been done before.  Encouraging and supporting creative approaches helps people become invested in their work, helps insure the solutions fits the problem, and helps make our work more effective.

Information is nourishment.

Information is so important to systems and organizations that, in it’s absence, people will make it up.  We believe that a continuous flow of information is vital to the health of the Network, of the organizations involved in the Network, and of the larger youth opportunity system of which we are a part.

Actions create opportunities.

Planning is important for setting a direction, but it can never anticipate all the variables.  We plan as a way of clarifying priorities and focusing energies, but we stay open to new, unplanned opportunities.  Sometimes it is those very unplanned actions that create new alliances and stimulate new energy.

Reflection and self-evaluation keep us honest.

When things are going well, we can fall into the trap of thinking we know the answers.  We delude ourselves into believing we have figures it all out.  Taking the time to reflect on what we are doing, how we are doing it, and what difference it has made, allows us to anticipate problems, refine our approaches, and identify new areas of growth.

Laughter opens doors.

Having fun together, laughing at our own foibles, is a tonic for the chronically serious.  Because we are in a serious business, it is essential that we allow ourselves the release and joy of laughter.  Laughing, smiling, allowing ourselves to be amused opens us and others to play.  It is through play, as well as work, that we form relationships and bonds with others.

We derive courage from facing and moving through our fears.

We see fear as an arrow pointing to what blocks us from growth and health.  In our world, there are many fears that, if addressed, can make us stronger, fears about managed care, downsizing, block grants, reorganizations, differences in people, school redistricting, political shifts in government, etc.  We want to create settings in which we can be fully human, fears and all, and where we can approach the difficult work we do from a position of self-knowledge, respect, and courage.

We are the cutting edge.

Working in concert and attending to the values outlines above, we go about the business of changing the world.  This is a big responsibility, and we invite all who are interested to join us.

Together We Can!