Note: A Vision Statement describes an ideal future.
It is what we want the world to look like when we have completed
our Mission. The proposed AEOE Vision Statement reads as follows:
Through regular participation in environmental and outdoor education, learners
will gain the knowledge, skills and inspiration to help them understand,
respect and care for themselves, their communities and their environment. These
values will be reflected in a world where:
All people in our diverse society have equal access to environmental
and outdoor education.
A variety of environmental and outdoor education opportunities are consistently
provided through schools, community groups, government and non-profit agencies,
and all students attend a residential outdoor science school at least once.
Environmental education is integrated throughout the traditional school
curriculum.
At every level of education, teachers and students go outdoors to explore,
appreciate and care for the natural world on school grounds, throughout
local communities and into natural areas.
Learners have a strong connection to their natural environments, whether wilderness, rural or urban, resulting in a deep and nurturing sense of place.
First-hand experience and environmental service learning projects develop
critical thinkers who make sound environmental decisions and actively move
our society toward sustainable practices.
Recognition and support of educators and programs providing environmental
and outdoor education is an integral part of California’s educational
system and society.
AEOE Mission Statement
The Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education supports and inspires
educators in their quest for the knowledge, skills, and attitudes essential
to help all learners understand, appreciate, and care for their environment. As
an integral part of achieving our mission, we encourage direct experience
outdoors.
Note: A Vision Statement describes an ideal future.
It is what we want the world to look like when we have completed
our Mission. The proposed AEOE Vision Statement reads as follows:
Outdoor
environmental education is an essential part of all education. Having
the opportunity to learn about, understand, participate in and
protect our communities and the natural world is every person’s right
and responsibility. Recognition and support of educators and programs providing
outdoor environmental
education is a valued and integral part of California’s educational
system and society. Through participation in outdoor environmental
education, students gain knowledge, skills and the competence to help them
understand,
respect and care about themselves, their communities and their environment.
The Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE)’s vision
is:
To teach and inspire individuals, through direct contact with the
outdoor environment, about the inherent beauty and scientific wonder
of nature, the understanding of our place in the natural world and
our potential to preserve
the environment for future generations.
To provide opportunities
for all people to find self-respect and satisfaction in being part
of the web of life and to gain an appreciation for
their existence as part of their community and the natural world.
To promote respect
through developing awareness, stewardship, community involvement
and participation. To empower all people to make informed
decisions and take responsible action on behalf of themselves and their communities
for the purpose of protecting the environment and our society as
a whole.
To establish and support the inclusion of outdoor education and environmental
literacy in all schools, universities and education centers in order
to preserve the rights of all people to appreciate their natural heritage.
To
provide opportunities for personal and professional growth amongst
educators, families and students by promoting cultural and environmental
literacy, leadership and the understanding of our responsibilities
as community members and participants in the natural environment.
To join the AEOE Strategic Plan Discussion Group and help guide AEOE into
the next 50 years, Click
Here
Vision Brainstorm, 2000
On September 16, 2000, the State Executive Board of AEOE with the section boards talked about a vision for AEOE. The charts are documented below, and are very interesting, though of course the words on the page do not capture the passion and humor that was present, and the phrases do not necessarily document all that was said around each item.
We first developed a list with input from everyone of what we get out of AEOE:
making a difference
encourage fun learning (rejuvenate learning and teaching)
renew/refreshed
similar interests (our tribe)
open a new world to people and kids
making connections with all
share passions of environment and children
professional development and fun
newness: promote OE in fun/new ways
motivate and uplift others (knowledge, heart, hands, etc.) PROUD
connecting - sharing - growing
intimacy
job
transform EE
meet other environmental educators - support for EE / sharing
- meet others
learn about EE world, involve others, career
being part of something bigger than just self
validation
loves OE
grounding
rewarding to do something you believe in - whole person
feels like home
"helping each other change the world one child at a time"
acceptance / gratifying
support, community
Next we developed a list in answer to the question "If AEOE could be anything you want, what would it be/look like?"
(This was a brainstorming session - we didn't all agree on everything
here!)
keep it the same: fun and professional; don't lose the essence
every EE teacher and naturalist is a member of AEOE
AEOE Magazine with catalog (line of equipment, supplies)
committees and more participating members
northern and southern training offices - develop human resources - outreach training team
leading EE organization / "Our" professional organization
central and permanent office
set professional standards and offer courses to meet them
EE in every grade
more well known: organization, career path; average person knows what "Environmental Education" is
fully funded Executive Director
develop relationships with other organizations; act as a disseminator of research on EE
advocate (union?) for fair pay and benefits for the profession
college credit for conferences and training
pre/post curriculum for client schools
go national (restructure board)
powerful environmental organization
carry weight, influential in many ways, yet user friendly, remembering the members, real
many successful conferences (affordable, professionally valuable, fun)
informal influence on programs at state level
inclusive, not turn people away
benefits, rewards
recognition for volunteers
better outreach organization
directors and administrators are active participants
bigger and better but connected to membership
research department in EE
more interested people in board
professional publication (journal)
scholarships for high school seniors going into EE from underrepresented groups with $20K endowment
establish certification for private outdoor schools
mugs, stickers for cars
trend setters, assist other state organizations
paid board of directors
We then prioritized the list, so each item above is listed in approximate order of priority by the number of votes it got. There is obviously a lot of overlap between list items.
We then talked about the top four items in greater detail:
1. Keep it the same: fun and professional, keep the essence
conferences always at outdoor schools
use only big sites or can we use small sites by emphasizing camping and handling food service differently
more conferences during the year
accessibility of sites geographically and to public transportation
keeping COSA involved, travel distance
use non-ROS sites: benefits, downside, staff
emphasis on OE and yet inclusive
have statewide conference in fall
music, social time, campfire, skits
2. Every EE teacher and naturalist is a member
newsletters on website, every site gets a printed copy
Friday night banquet and recognition for administrators/directors
to remind and welcome them back, one day at site
more workshops or activities for administrators
continue COSA co-conference
include private OS administrators
outreach to low participating schools
guide map blown up and showing percent membership for each program
group membership
interest group meetings
NAAEE co-membership proposal
outreach to private schools
3. AEOE Magazine, equipment, supplies, professional publications
professional journal, two or four times per year
similar newsletter content but fancier cover
sale of items with AEOE name and logo
premiums for membership
statewide newsletter or journal
advertising
T-shirts, hats, mugs, bumper stickers, carabiners
4. Committees and more participating members
site representatives as a job duty, benefit to person
alternate terms: group, bioregion, region
meetings or mini-conferences in regions
each person on board create a committee
non-board feeling
workshop about AEOE, how to become involved (Tim & Michael)
Robin's testimonial
awards & recognition
follow through on volunteer interest
really have committees instead of just committee chairs
As our next step, the board will address in detail more of the items on the list. We will also reorganize the vision items so that they are logically grouped and better defined.
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AEOE | Association for Environmental & Outdoor Education in California * updated
8/5/06 10:06 PM *
Word) Presented at the 2006 Spring Conference Board Meeting 