GVSU  colleges,  departments,  faculty  members,  staff,  and  students  are  actively  engaged  in  hundreds  of   community  partnerships  in  our  region.  These  partnerships—often  initiated,  designed,  and  implemented   individually—are  creative,  dynamic,  and,  in  most  cases,  effective.  But  what  if  we  were  aware  of  the   engagement  activities  of  our  GVSU  colleagues  and  of  opportunities  for  synergies?  How  might  improving  access   to  our  university  supports  for  engagement  increase  the  quality  of  our  partnerships?  What  if  we  shared  the   value  of  broader,  more  collaborative  efforts  and  worked  in  a  focused  way  both   across  disciplines  and  in
reciprocal,  sustained  community  relationships  to  achieve  impact  that  is  remarkable  and  groundbreaking?
The  Office  for  Community  Engagement  cultivates  partnerships  through  which  direction,  alignment,  and   commitment  can  emerge.  As  a  first  step  toward  a  more  focused  approach  to  GVSU’s  community  engagement,   we  are  seeking  the  perceptions  of  faculty  and  staff  about  what’s  already  working  in  their  community   partnerships.  In  addition,  we  want  to  gain  perspectives  on  GVSU’s  unique  role  in  addressing  the  challenges,
opportunities,  and  needs  in  our  communities.
GVSU  faculty  and  staff  with  community  engagement  experience  and/or  interests
(In  general,  the  approach  is  based  on  principles  and  tools  from  Appreciative  Inquiry)
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Through  the  academic  year,  interview  engaged  faculty  and  staff  from  across  the  university.
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Identify  themes  and  concepts  from  interview  transcripts  related  to  best  practices,  GVSU’s  engagement   expertise,  focus  areas,  approaches  to  achieving  greater  collaboration,  and  valued  university  resources   for  community  engagement.
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In  spring  2013,  invite  multiple  stakeholders,  including  interview  participants,  to  participate  in  an  event   using  Open  Space,  World  Café,  or  other  large  group  methodology.  In  a  facilitated  process,  participants   review  themes  and  concepts  gleaned  from  interviews  to  develop  propositions  for  strategic,  focused,   and  collaborative  engagement  opportunities  that  will  employ  GVSU’s  unique  identity  and  address   needs,  challenges,  and  opportunities  in  our  communities.
Share  your  community  partnership  work  as  a  best  practice,  identify  resources  that  could  support  your   engagement  work,  learn  of  opportunities  to  connect  with  faculty/staff  with  similar  interests,  and  expand  your
impact  in  the  community.
GVSU  has  the  opportunity  to  share  our  unique  assets  in  ways  that  are  responsive  to  our  communities’  most   pressing  concerns.
Ruth  Stegeman,  Assistant  Dean,  Director  for  Community  Engagement,   stegemar@gvsu.edu
,  331-­‐9120

Strengths—the  best  of  what  is.
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Tell  about  a  high  point  in  your  experience  with  a  community  partner*,  when  you  felt  most  energized.
Without  modesty,  what  was  your  contribution?  What  did  you  receive  from  others?
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When  you  are  at  your  best  with  a  community  partner,  what  are  the  core  contributing  factors?
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What  GVSU  resources  and  supports  for  community  engagement  do  you  value  most?
Opportunities—what  could  be.
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Imagine  that,  five  years  from  now,  GVSU  is  known  for  partnerships  that  address  the  most  pressing   needs,  challenges,  and  opportunities  facing  our  region.  On  what  issues  would  we  be  focused?  What   might  our  impact  look  like?  Who  would  be  leading  and  contributing  to  the  effort?
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Looking  back,  what  steps  did  we  take  with  our  community  partners  to  achieve  this  result?  What  part   did  you  play?  What  structures  and  resources  were  in  place  to  support  your  best  contribution?
* Community  partners  may  include  businesses,  education  providers,  nonprofit  organizations,  government,   and/or  community  groups.