On Nov. 3, we celebrated yet another year of success educating youth in Northern Nevada and California by testing our bowling skills at Grand Sierra Resort.
When we celebrate our successes, we remind ourselves each year about our core values which we call "QARE."
We are committed to outstanding quality (Q)
We strive to improve through rigorous evaluations of our actions
We flexibly embrace change that makes our programs and operations better
We celebrate actions that demonstrate our commitment to excellence
We are accountable (A)
We do what we say we'll do for each other and for our stakeholders
At all levels of our team, we set, commit to, and reach specific goals
We respect each other and ourselves (R)
We foster a respectful work environment by using supportive actions and words to positively impact our teammates and ensuring our co-workers do the same
We work to understand the goals and challenges of our team, participants, and donors, and integrate these considerations into our actions
We believe that a diverse set of backgrounds and skills adds value to our organization
We provide unforgettable experiences (E)
We keep participants' safety, education and experience at the forefront of our actions
We recognize the uniqueness of our experience for our participants, and show up each day ready to deliver
We are excited to announce the four individuals who we thought best represented each value in 2017.
Pictured: Maribel Aguirre and Eaton Dunkelberger
Q - Maribel Aguirre is a Grizzly Creek Ranch Campus Housekeeping Assistant and is our Employee of the Year representing the core value of quality. The ledger of Maribel’s daily work is a model of dedication to mission and commitment to excellence. There is not a single camper or guest evaluation that does not highlight the neat, clean and orderly image of the campus. Further, our American Camp Association visit this season documented the exceptional sanitary standards Grizzly Creek Ranch maintains. Of particular note, Maribel assumed leadership of all housekeeping functions during part of the season and oversaw Grizzly Creek Ranch service. Congratulations, Maribel!
Pictured: Brian Broumas and Eaton Dunkelberger
A - Accountable fits this person to a tee. As soon as he started working with Sierra Nevada Journeys this year, he was fired up with enthusiasm and drive. He dove into learning about the organization and crafted our Sacramento growth story. He was on the phone within just a couple of weeks connecting with potential supporters. He knew if he could just share the Sacramento impact with people who had an interest in outdoor science education, they would be impressed. He was right. His persistence and follow-through have led to new funding opportunities for our science programs. Congratulations on all your hard work, Brian Broumas!
Pictured: Sheena Wong and Eaton Dunkelberger
R - Sheena Wong is a Grizzly Creek Ranch Campus Residential Outdoor Science Instructor and is our Sierra Nevada Journeys Employee of the Year representing the core value of respect. Sheena is one of our frequently cited instructors for her mastery of our outdoor school curriculum and her unique teaching style. Sheena is also a thoughtful contributor to not only programs but also campus operations. She has offered and implemented campus improvements regarding emergency response and protecting and conserving natural resources and education. Sheena also has volunteered to advise and represent Sierra Nevada Journeys in a diversity initiative. Congratulations, Sheena!
E - Natalie Pritchard brings 110 percent to everything she does. She is so passionate about the work we do and is always working to ensure that our programs are the best they can be. When developing training experiences for new leaders or revising lessons, she’s thoughtful and thinks critically about the experience of the participants and prioritizes their satisfaction and optimal learning. She’s an outstanding leader and a tremendous asset to the Sacramento team. Congratulations, Natalie!
Thank you to our entire team for a tremendous year! We're looking forward to what 2018 has in store for us!