Summer Tour 2010:

I've been in my office far too much for far too long. I'm interested in doing something different.  I'd like to join you and your staff for a couple days to a week and work alongside you, learn a little bit, answer some questions, and the like.

This is a new idea that’s designed to help me better understand what life on a daily basis in your Department/Office entails. I have no doubt that it will help me better represent all you do for our Board of Trustees and our community and give me a chance to talk directly with the people who make Parkland such a great place.

Promises:

1.       I currently write evaluations for six people and if you aren't already on that list, have no intentions to add you.

2.       What happens in Vegas, stays in Vegas. In other words, I have no desire to come between you and your supervisor, make decisions that affect you, or commit your unit to anything. The intent is a mutual learning experience. I will, however, take your suggestions, observations, and ideas seriously.

Requests:

1.       We find an hour or so for us and Troy Burns to walk around your areas of responsibility to identify anything that the Physical Plant needs to know about.

2.       I’d be interested in sitting in on staff meetings, participating in any activities you have planned, go to class, and pitch in and help out where you need. I am trainable. I’ll wear jeans on the day I visit the Building and Grounds area, finger paint with the kids in the CDC, and talk to anyone at any time.

3.       We figure out a time/day for me to take you and your staff out to lunch. We may have to break down into smaller groups if you have a large area. You name the place and I'll buy.

4.       Give me a place with a chair and a small table or shared work space, preferably not by myself. That would defeat the purpose. I don't need much room; I’ll share space, work in a bullpen area, and can move around every day.  I don't want to put anyone out or make you feel uncomfortable.

Beginning Monday, June 14^th, Summer Tour 2010 kicks off with 2 days in Community Education and Business Training on Mattis Avenue.

During the summer, it seems to make the most sense to visit Student Services, Administrative Services, and Institutional Advancement units before the start of the fall semester. I’ll save Academic Services for fall unless there is something happening that makes sense.

Since there are so many places to visit and you have so many different things going on, I will be asking the Tour Manager, Nancy Willamon, to contact you about possible dates. But, if you have a special week in mind, please feel free to call or email her.

In addition, I intend to use the "From the President" tab in My.Parkland to chronicle thoughts, ideas, suggestions, and observations. I hope you will take a look occasionally.

I look forward to the summer. Thank you for all you do.