A variety of methods were used to determine the perceived strengths of the Union. From a formal series of process kickoff events that specifically engaged UW-Madison students, Union employees UW faculty and staff and Union Members, to focus groups, to email and on line survey forms, close to 6,000 people were engaged in helping name the current strengths of the Wisconsin Union. The large amount of data was distilled by the Steward Team to determine our strengths.
In addition to naming the strengths of the Wisconsin Union, the community was also asked to name possible opportunities for the Union moving forward. Union staff were also asked to author opportunities specific to their area. A full day, all staff summit, attended by 88 people, was facilitated to analyze that data and create an opportunities list for the Union. The top opportunities named during the summit were then ranked on a grid to judge each opportunity’s impact on the community and advancement of student learning.
The same All Staff Summit used for Opportunities determination finished examining the Strengths and Opportunities and answering the question of what these tell the organization what it should aspire to be. This list was analyzed by the Union Steward Team to create a list of five draft Aspirations. This draft list was then taken back to Union Staff, shared with key community groups, and the Wisconsin Union Association (Union Trustees) for input and feedback – essentially answering the question “Did we get it right?”
Specific strategic initiatives and the measures to gauge successful movement towards the Aspirations will be modified annually as efforts are tracked and measures taken. Consult the annual insert to see the current Union strategic initiatives and the ways in which the Union is currently attempting to measure success in moving towards our Aspirations.
