In 2012,
the Board of Regents of Gunston Hall initiated a planning process designed to
articulate strategies necessary for the advancement of Gunston Hall over the
next five years. Led by a committee of
Regents, this process also included the participation, involvement, and input
of a diverse group of volunteers, neighbors, community leaders, political
figures, subject matter experts, partners, and representatives of the staff
team. The Strategic Planning Committee
sought this broad constituency as part of a renewed organization-wide
commitment to engagement and the energy, insight, and inspiration provided by these
supporters informed and shaped the resulting Plan in significant ways. Accordingly, on behalf of the Regents, I am
honored and pleased to thank all those who participated in development of the
Plan. The Plan’s richness, breath, and scope would not have been possible
without these dedicated individuals; thank you!
The Board
of Regents of Gunston Hall adopted the Strategic Plan during their October
meeting and I am excited to publically share key aspects of this Plan in our
Blog. Specifically, the Plan articulates
the following:
VISION
That both George
Mason and Gunston Hall achieve broader national recognition, George Mason for
the significance of his unique contributions to the universal cause of human
rights and Gunston Hall as a premier historic site, for the purpose of
increasing the knowledge and understanding of those we serve.
MISSION
To utilize fully the physical and scholarly
resources of Gunston Hall to stimulate continuing public exploration of
democratic ideals as first presented by George Mason in the 1776 Virginia
Declaration of Rights.
VALUES
1. Integrity 5. Creativity
2. Accessibility 6. Collaboration
3. Authenticity 7. Initiative
4. Service 8. Leadership
STANDARDS OF EXCELLENCE
1. We will facilitate a dynamic learning environment.
2. We will keep George Mason and his work central to our
programs.
3. We will focus on service and the guest experience in
all our on-site, off-site and digital
interactions.
interactions.
4. We will facilitate experiences based on scholarship,
that are physically and intellectually
accessible, and that are inclusive.
accessible, and that are inclusive.
5. We will encourage learning, reflection, dialogue, engagement,
and enjoyment.
6. We will seek collaborations and partnerships.
7. We will demonstrate a commitment to operational and
environmental sustainability.
GOALS
- To establish Gunston Hall as a national and international resource for the study and interpretation of the Virginia Declaration of Rights as a document of enduring international significance and the pivotal role of George Mason as its author.
- To create a dynamic mix of authentic educational experiences providing value, impact, and benefit to a diverse audience.
- To establish a structure of governance which meets the intent of the Deed of Gift, through collaboration between the Board of Regents of Gunston Hall, Inc., a private non-profit corporation, and the Commonwealth of Virginia.
- To sustain an acclaimed reputation for Gunston Hall, capture the hearts and minds of our stakeholders, and effectively promote and share what we are uniquely able to provide to those we serve.
- To enhance operational, strategic, and financial sustainability by utilizing the necessary knowledge and resources to be successful as an organization.
- To preserve in superior condition Gunston Hall, the cultural resources, and the natural ecosystems entrusted to our care; to provide an accessible, comfortable, sustainable, and safe environment for all our stakeholders; and to facilitate a gateway experience for our guests through our management of this unique site that enriches all who visit.
- To facilitate authentic, accessible, research and collections based experiences for our guests which will maximize opportunities associated with the distinctive cultural resources of Gunston Hall.
As we hope
you can discern from the Plan itself, Gunston Hall is passionately committed to
education, collaboration, community, stewardship, reputation, and
sustainability. These foundational
concepts are incorporated into the Plan in myriad ways. Equally important, we
are committed to benchmarks, measurements, metrics, evaluation, and a process
of collective review which will assess our public impact and value as
determined by you, our guests, members, and friends. As such, much in the same way the development
of the Plan relied upon a host of perspectives and voices, the success of our
Plan will also rely on how well we meet the needs of our public.
In many
ways, therefore, this is not our Plan, this is OUR plan, inclusive of all those
associated with Gunston Hall or who have a stake in our work. This Plan, OUR Plan, is not a static bound
document for periodic internal use, it is a public statement of aspirations and
values and ideas that we hope and expect to evolve based on our collective and
shared effort to fulfill our vision and mission. This Plan, OUR Plan, is also
not an expression of hope, it is an expression of belief—belief in Gunston Hall,
belief in the lasting relevance and importance of George Mason and his
writings, belief in the importance of historic sites as places for dialogue,
learning, inspiration, and action, and belief in our ability to positively and
proactively provide something critically important and of value to those we
serve.
In
conclusion, George Mason is often referred to as the “forgotten founder.” As we embark on this new beginning, guided by
OUR Plan, we will ensure Mason is no longer “forgotten,” but we will also ensure
all of you, those who are involved at the founding of this new beginning and
those of you who, through your time, effort, and financial support ensured the
sustainability and continuing vitality of Gunston Hall from its first founding,
are also not forgotten.
Thank you
and IT IS A GREAT DAY AT GUNSTON HALL!
Scott Muir
Stroh III
Executive
Director
November 6,
2013
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