Dear Environmental Educator:
The Association for Environmental and Outdoor Education (AEOE) State Board is seeking your input as a valued member of the environmental education community in California to help develop a Strategic Plan for AEOE that will guide the organization into its next 50 years of service to the environmental and outdoor educators of California.
On August 17 and 18, 2004 the AEOE State Board met to initiate the process of Strategic Planning and developing a vision of our future as an organization. AEOE was started in 1954 by a few dedicated residential outdoor school administrators who wanted to provide individuals employed in the environmental and outdoor education field with professional development opportunities and a support network. AEOE continues to fulfill these ideals through the provision of one statewide conference and two regional fall conferences each year, a quarterly regional newsletter, social and educational activities throughout the year, and an information-laden website that includes everything from an environmental education calendar and conference information to teaching resources, to a listing of California EE Providers, to a highly used employment opportunities listing.
The State Board members are aware of the need to provide the highest quality services possible to the over 700 active AEOE members. In striving to accomplish this with limited resources, we are looking for your input in helping us find and fulfill our niche in California, which we hope will complement and enhance the work of other organizations rather than duplicate or compete. There are four main components to the Strategic Plan: the Vision Statement, the Mission, the task-oriented Priorities, and an analysis of AEOE’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). We would also welcome any additional comments or suggestions you have for us!
If you would like more time to complete feedback offline, you may write comments in a document and either paste them into the form or email your comments as inline text or an attachment to aeoewebyahoo.com
1. Your name: 2. Email address: We will never share or sell your email address! 3. Your mailing address (optional)
We will never share or sell your email address!
4. Are you a current member of AEOE? Choose One No Joining for the Spring Conference Yes-Northern section Yes-Southern section Yes-Institutional 5. With what program(s) or organization(s) are you affiliated, and what is your role? 6. With what type of environmental education are you involved? (Check as many as apply) None Currently Classroom Residential Outdoor Education Non-residential Outdoor Education Summer Camp Scouts, Boys/Girls Club, Other Youth Outdoor Group Church Group School Group / Outing Club, etc Nature Center Museum Zoological / Botanical Garden Government Agency - National, State, Regional, County, or City Parks Conservation Corps / Americorps / Vista / MiniCorps / etc Conservation Organization (Sierra Club, Nature Conservancy, etc) Adventure Education Other - please list below (or use this field to elaborate on checked items above) 7. How much do you know about AEOE and how did you hear about us? (If you have never heard of us, consider browsing the AEOE website for a few minutes to familiarize yourself with our services - especially About AEOE, information on AEOE Conferences, AEOE Newsletters, and AEOE History)
Other - please list below (or use this field to elaborate on checked items above)
7. How much do you know about AEOE and how did you hear about us? (If you have never heard of us, consider browsing the AEOE website for a few minutes to familiarize yourself with our services - especially About AEOE, information on AEOE Conferences, AEOE Newsletters, and AEOE History)
There are four main sections to the Strategic Plan: the Vision Statement, the Mission, the task-oriented Strategies/Priorities, and an analysis of AEOE’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats (SWOT). We also value your input on Affiliations and any other input you have for us. Thank you for your time!
1. Vision Statement. 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. Based on your knowledge of the environmental and outdoor education field in California, is this Vision Statement inclusive of the populations’ needs? Please explain why or why not. Are any critical elements missing from the Vision Statement? Please describe these and explain why you think they should be included. Is there anything in it that should be removed? Please describe these and explain why you believe they should be removed.
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.
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:
2. Mission Statement. While the Vision Statement describes where we want to go, the Mission Statement describes why we exist today. The statement AEOE has referred to as the Mission is really more of a Statement of Purpose. We would like to develop a concise Mission Statement that reflects who we are and what we do in fewer words.
The current Purpose of AEOE is as follows: AEOE is dedicated to the education of children and to helping them increase their awareness and understanding of their natural environment. This organization believes in the potential of education to help children perceive and understand environmental principles and problems. We encourage carefully planned and sustained programs of formal and informal education. By exploring personal values and providing involvement based on student perceptions, interests and competence, we seek the development of a personal ethic appropriate to the enhancement of environmental quality. To this end, we continuously support educators in their quest for the skills, attitudes and materials so essential to help learners know and care about their environment. The AEOE State Board believes that this statement is too nebulous and lengthy for a Mission, and does not clearly explain or define what AEOE’s role is. Your comments will help us to refine this into a more concise mission statement: What ideas, words or phrases from the Purpose do you feel are most important and should be included in the Mission? Why? Which pieces of the present Purpose should not be included in the Mission? Why not?
The current Purpose of AEOE is as follows:
AEOE is dedicated to the education of children and to helping them increase their awareness and understanding of their natural environment. This organization believes in the potential of education to help children perceive and understand environmental principles and problems. We encourage carefully planned and sustained programs of formal and informal education. By exploring personal values and providing involvement based on student perceptions, interests and competence, we seek the development of a personal ethic appropriate to the enhancement of environmental quality. To this end, we continuously support educators in their quest for the skills, attitudes and materials so essential to help learners know and care about their environment. The AEOE State Board believes that this statement is too nebulous and lengthy for a Mission, and does not clearly explain or define what AEOE’s role is. Your comments will help us to refine this into a more concise mission statement:
AEOE is dedicated to the education of children and to helping them increase their awareness and understanding of their natural environment. This organization believes in the potential of education to help children perceive and understand environmental principles and problems. We encourage carefully planned and sustained programs of formal and informal education. By exploring personal values and providing involvement based on student perceptions, interests and competence, we seek the development of a personal ethic appropriate to the enhancement of environmental quality. To this end, we continuously support educators in their quest for the skills, attitudes and materials so essential to help learners know and care about their environment.
The AEOE State Board believes that this statement is too nebulous and lengthy for a Mission, and does not clearly explain or define what AEOE’s role is. Your comments will help us to refine this into a more concise mission statement:
3. Strategies/Priorities These are activities or services AEOE should be providing.
What services do you feel AEOE currently provides effectively to the environmental/outdoor education community in California? What services do you feel are lacking in California that AEOE should provide? In your opinion, what is AEOE’s niche in California? (or what should it be?) Note: The AEOE Strategies and Priorities will support the following professionals: Residential Outdoor Environmental Educators, including Naturalists, Field Instructors and Administrators from both public and private programs in California Outdoor Environmental Educators/Interpreters employed at museums, zoos, parks and other youth-serving agencies such as the Boy/Girl Scouts, Boys and Girls Clubs, YMCA and State and Regional Conservation Corps Classroom Teachers who are interested in outdoor and environmental science learning opportunities Government agencies, non-profit organizations and companies active in environmental education with an emphasis on outdoor environmental education Comments on who we should be supporting: Strategies and Priorities: Below is a list of possible priorities for AEOE developed by the Board. Some we are already doing, some are just ideas. Please indicate the services you feel AEOE should provide, and prioritize all strategies in which you believe AEOE should play a leadership role for the state. If you feel strongly that AEOE should not participate in any of these possible strategies, please make that choice from the priority menu. If you have any comments, questions, or clarifications of your choices, or other ideas to share, please make them in the text boxes at the end of each section. If there are any other organizations in California that are already fulfilling a particular service, please also enter the organization’s name and contact information (if possible) in the comment field at the bottom of each section (and what service it is providing). Thank you for your time in helping us refine our priorities to better serve Environmental Education in California. Outdoor Environmental Education (OEE) Advocacy Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Develop quality standards for programs, perhaps in accord with ROSS criteria, NAAEE Standards for Excellence, Compendium questions, or CGEL Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Serve as a recognized and respected professional association for outdoor environmental educators and raise the status of the Profession Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Research and understand the role of each OEE organization in the state in order to work synergistically and avoid duplication of efforts Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Offer a professional certification program, perhaps in conjunction with NAAEE Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Take organizational positions on pertinent issues by fostering and nurturing partnerships with other organizations Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Advocate for the development of viable career paths in outdoor environmental education Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Have representation in the decision-making processes of other OEE organizations regarding issues that pertain to our mission Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Work with OEE programs to explore funding mechanisms, revenue streams, and budget restructuring that would allow for higher pay and benefits for staff without passing such costs on to participating schools and districts Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Engage our membership to more actively participate in AEOE and the OEE field Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Increase membership benefits Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Educate/rally educators to respond to pertinent issues Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Encourage a diverse applicant pool Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Provide a tool with which members can actively promote AEOE Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Produce a professional-quality website to convey information and resources to members Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Produce a professional-quality quarterly newsletter with news from the field of OEE Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Sponsor regular social activities Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Create and maintain a network of outdoor environmental educators Comments / Explanations /Questions about any of the above items (or ideas of your own): Professional Development Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Conferences Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Collaborative Learning Communities (teachers work collaboratively to develop a uniform set of student-centered goals and evaluations) Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Training administrators Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Certification programs Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Tracking/informing current environmental issues Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Weekend workshops Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Cultural competency training (Understanding and welcoming diversity - both in our membership & in our leaders, and incorporating teaching strategies that are inclusive of cultural differences) Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Newsletter Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Website with resources for educators and information about conferences Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Scholarships Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Distance learning in the form of on-line courses Comments / Explanations /Questions about any of the above items (or ideas of your own): Research Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Conduct a constituent evaluation (this survey is one example) Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Identify best practices in outdoor environmental education, using recommendations from COSA and peer-reviewed research published in EE magazines such as The Journal of Environmental Education as well as in journals focused on formal education Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Collaborate with universities to promote graduate research on the educational value of outdoor environmental education Comments / Explanations /Questions about any of the above items (or ideas of your own): AEOE Operations Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Work on Board development by providing training opportunities in non-profit management and offering other incentives to encourage members to volunteer on the Board Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Actively fundraise through events, grant-writing and requests to the business sector Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Circulate Board meeting minutes and provide regular briefs on Board activities Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Hire paid staff to take on some of the management of AEOE Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Lease office space Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Acquire corporate sponsorships Comments / Explanations /Questions about any of the above items (or ideas of your own): Career Paths Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Educate members on possible career paths Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Provide volunteer/leadership opportunities within AEOE and in the greater OEE community Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Talk to career counselors (high school and college) or other school personnel about the OEE field as profession Prioritize this item 1-High priority 2-Medium Priority 3-Low Priority 4-Don't understand this 5-AEOE should NOT do this Identify alternative paths into the OEE profession (CA Conservation Corps, Local Urban Corps, MESA) Comments / Explanations /Questions about any of the above items (or ideas of your own):
Professional Development
4. Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats (SWOT) Evaluation.
The strengths are the things AEOE already does well. Weaknesses are the things we could do better. Opportunities are the situations AEOE could use to further its mission, such as new grant money available to support EE/OE. Threats are those situations that could hinder the pursuit of our mission, such as state and local budget issues, etc. Please list those things you see as AEOE’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats. Strengths: Weaknesses: Opportunities: Threats:
The strengths are the things AEOE already does well. Weaknesses are the things we could do better. Opportunities are the situations AEOE could use to further its mission, such as new grant money available to support EE/OE. Threats are those situations that could hinder the pursuit of our mission, such as state and local budget issues, etc. Please list those things you see as AEOE’s strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats.
5. Professional Affiliations AEOE is the official California affiliate to the North American Association for Environmental Education (NAAEE).
Were you aware of AEOE’s affiliate status? Yes No Is it important to you? Yes No What do you believe AEOE should be doing as the California NAAEE Affiliate? (AEOE currently sends liaison members to NAAEE Conferences to represent California) What should NAAEE do for AEOE? (We have been awarded some grant money for AEOE conferences in the past) Can you suggest any other organizations with which we should consider forming affiliations?
8. Additional Comments/Feedback on any aspect of the Strategic Planning Process, AEOE or this survey.
We are no longer accepting surveys When you hit "submit," your survey will be sent to the AEOE webmaster and to members of the strategic planning committee. You will go to a thank you page from our form processor (with ads on it which you can ignore), and just click "back to the AEOE website." Thank you again for your thoughtful comments and feedback. AEOE is excited about focusing on specific needs of the environmental and outdoor education field in California. Thank you for your participation!
We are no longer accepting surveys
When you hit "submit," your survey will be sent to the AEOE webmaster and to members of the strategic planning committee. You will go to a thank you page from our form processor (with ads on it which you can ignore), and just click "back to the AEOE website."
Thank you again for your thoughtful comments and feedback. AEOE is excited about focusing on specific needs of the environmental and outdoor education field in California.
Helen de la Maza - delamazahearthlink.net External Stakeholder Input Coordinator AEOE Strategic Planning Committee
