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Network for Mercy Education |
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Structure Process - Fall 2000 - Spring 2002
Fall
00- Nov. 01-
One of the three strategic directions of the Network for Mercy Education when it
was formed in 1999: "Design a process that will facilitate the development of a
unified structure that has potential to hold full sponsorship responsibility for
the Mercy community (for its secondary schools and elementary schools) by about
2005."
Following
appointment of a committee by the Network Board from Network Board members and
approval to engage an outside consultant:
Consultations
– late winter, spring and summer 2001.
Report prepared and distributed to Network member regional community leadership
and school leadership in November 2001. The summary was accompanied byan
invitational reflection on Mercy education, change and the change process
entitled, "Where Sand and Water Meet."
Leading up to
the early Spring 2002 consultations which would include the first models, the
Structure Committee in dialogue with the Network Board addressed these
challenges:
·
To finalize the
working definitions and terms;
·
To review and
refine the models for sponsorship;
·
To identify key
assumptions and guiding principles that will underpin the models
·
To identify
dates, sites, roles, and responsibilities for the on-site meetings;
·
To determine
appropriate and timely communication of information.
Assumptions
o
The structure process is progressing with an agreed upon set of
defined terms.
o
That we are committed to a model and process that is flexible,
inclusive and allows for the potential to evolve over time as circumstances
change and/or permit.
o
That the value and contribution of Mercy elementary and secondary
schools to family, Church, and society will continue now and into the future.
o
That new and emerging roles in leadership in elementary and
secondary education call us to greater collaboration with lay and religious in
the ministry of Mercy education in governance.
o
That this process is consistent with the Institute's accepted
challenge to reconfigure itself to meet mission and ministry needs of the
future.
o
That an office for sponsorship services (currently known as the
Network for Mercy Education) will continue and its role and mission will evolve
as the model(s) evolve.
Values/Principles
o
Mercy charism, core values and tradition require exploration of
new models to continue and we choose to make the changes that will ensure their
endurance
o
Desire for unity/collaboration coupled with respect and
accommodation for local diversity o People are in different places at this time of change |
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