FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, November 19, 2007
BETHANY COMMUNITY RETREAT CONTRIBUTES TO STRATEGIC PLANNING
LINSDBORG, KAN. — Seventy people, representing 19 different constituent groups or communities of Bethany College, attended the Bethany Community Retreat Nov. 16-17.
Participants made key contributions to the strategic planning process at Bethany. At the retreat, they:
- built and reinforced a sense of community
- reviewed raw data compiled from more than 100 interviews conducted by Bethany President Edward F. Leonard III with members of the college community
- began to develop a shared vision and strategic direction for the future of Bethany College
- responded to the draft mission, values and promise statements that will serve – along with the shared vision – as the college’s guiding principles in formulating a strategic plan.
“As Bethany College works quickly to establish a strategic plan, it is important that we hear a variety of voices and ideas. I’m grateful for the participation we had at this retreat. I believe that people will look back on this gathering in history and see it as a watershed event,” Leonard said.
Constituent groups represented at the Bethany Community Retreat included: Bethany College Board of Directors, including former members; Bethany College Endowment Trustees; President’s Advisory Council; senior administrative leaders; mid-level administrators; Faculty Senate; Staff Senate; Student Congress; Alumni Council; Athletic Association Board; Parents Council; Lindsborg City Council; Lindsborg Tomorrow Steering Committee; Lindsborg Convention and Visitors Bureau; Lindsborg Chamber of Commerce; Central States Synod Council; Evangelical Lutheran Church in America; and special guests.
The retreat came on the heels of President Leonard’s announcement of three major gifts, including a $1 million challenge grant, given to the college.
Retreat facilitators were Kent Rhodes and Bridget Cooper of Leadership Outfitters, Inc., an organization that provides training, solutions and support to Fortune 500 companies, small businesses, associations, the healthcare industry, educational institutions and non-profit and faith organizations across the country.
At the close of the retreat, Leonard outlined the strategic planning process being undertaken at the college.
A recently convened group, Bethany's Strategic Planning Council (SPC), is coordinating strategic planning. SPC members – including the president’s council and representatives from staff, faculty and students – will reexamine and recommend priorities for the college.
To do this, the council is examining data gathered at the Bethany Leadership Retreat – held earlier this fall – and the recent Bethany Community Retreat. President Leonard also has brought to the council listening data gathered from many of his own visits and conversations.
The council is divided among four task forces: mission, values, promise and vision. Each task force will make a recommendation to the SPC about their respective statement: whether to recommit to it, strengthen it, redraft it or create it.
This spring, President Leonard will visit alumni, friends and parents across the country in a series of Future Forums to gather more input on the plan and the college’s direction.
Following the work of the SPC and the president’s visits, the college will publicly share mission, values, promise and vision statements. These will guide the college as it creates a strategic plan and objectives, and finally an operational plan.
Bethany College, established by Swedish Lutheran immigrants in 1881, is a college of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. The mission of Bethany College is to nurture and challenge individuals in their search for truth and meaning as they lead lives of faith, learning and service. Bethany College is on the Web at www.bethanylb.edu.
-30-
