Guiding Principles
Our core values are the compass we follow to ensure we are all heading in the same direction to effectively create brighter futures.
Community Action Network (CAN) envisions the closing of socio-economic gaps through supportive programs & services and advocacy.
Our Guiding Principles are what drive our objective to both “build strong communities” now and to fix our eyes on “boldly realizing a greater future.”
To live out our organization’s core values, we must:
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Represent and reflect the communities with whom we partner,
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Prioritize a variety of professional and personal lived experience, and
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Empower the voices and experiences of the families with whom we partner to actively build a brighter future.
It is our daily obligation, both individually and as an organization, to challenge unfair systems and help build a society where all children, youth, and families have the opportunity to thrive.
Building Strong Communities
How do we cultivate a strong sense of community today?
We Are...
Friendly, welcoming, empathetic, transparent, compassionate, collaborative, adaptable, willing to grow, hard-working, mindful, respectful, positive, joy-filled, authentic, self-caring, gracious
To Accomplish this, I Will...
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Be kind and treat everyone with respect
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Use mindfulness to be present, practice humility, and choose grace
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Jump in to help where needed while also knowing when to practice healthy boundaries
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Aim to be flexible and adapt to changing, dynamic circumstances
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Remain authentic and find ways I can seek joy so I can be a positive, stable, and caring presence
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Collaborate with the people around me to make achievable goals that can be sustained
BOLDLY REALIZING A GREATER FUTURE
How do we successfully realize our vision for the future?
We Are...
Justice-oriented, creative, ensuring sustainability and accountability, productive and effective with time and energy, asking questions, trying new things, paying attention to detail, investing in professional development opportunities, developing a stronger sense of emotional intelligence, striving to motivate through servant leadership
To Accomplish This, I Will...
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First seek to understand how and why processes are in place and then I can find areas for sustainable improvement
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Aim to use my time productively, investing in relationships with community members and completing my tasks
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Strive to grow in my expertise so that I may contribute with up-to-date knowledge and skills in my field
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Role model servant leadership through transparent communication, helping where needed, paying attention, practicing humility & resilience, and boldly trying new things to improve CAN's operations
We used a version of BrenÉ Brown's Dare to Lead Methods to develop our organizational values:
https://daretolead.brenebrown.com/operationalizing-your-orgs-values/