Renewal Initiative Guidelines 2009-2010

I. PURPOSE

The purpose of Maricopa's Renewal Initiative program is to support organizational learning and employee growth through employee-designed projects intended to:

  • Revitalize the organization
  • Revive organizational values
  • Support cultural change
  • Expand employee's capacity to be creative

II. BACKGROUND

A philosophical statement was developed by the Renewal Committee in 1997 to reflect what renewal means to the employees of the Maricopa Community Colleges:

"Renewal at Maricopa means personal and organizational learning. It means restoring or revitalizing ourselves and the organization in some way, finding personal meaning in our work. It means reviving our values, personally and organizationally, and changing our behavior so our culture changes. It also means expanding our capacity to be creative. Renewal is exemplified in diverse programs and activities - to meet the needs of employees and the entire organization of Maricopa."

RENEWAL PROPOSAL INITIATIVES

View a sample proposal.

RENEWAL REPORTS

View examples of past projects that have been funded.

III. GUIDELINES

Activities developed from this renewal initiative must meet the following general guidelines:
  • Reflect Maricopa's Values
  • Value employees
  • Be systemic (not necessarily system-wide)
  • Support teamwork
  • Be employee-generated
  • Be flexible, fluid and innovative in design and implementation
  • Support learning
  • Encourage cultural commitment to renewal
  • Build on existing programs used by employees
  • Have a long-term impact

IV. PROPOSAL CATEGORIES

Renewal funds will be awarded for proposals that fit one or more of the following categories:

    Organizational Learning

    Renewal funds will be awarded for proposals submitted from the Colleges, Skill Centers, and District Office (departments, work units, etc.) personnel for renewal projects that are geared toward incorporating renewal into their employee development plans.

    Examples of proposals for Organizational Learning projects:

    • Seed money to create or build on an employee development program
    • Speaker that could impact learning and renewal

    Individual Learning

    A proposal should include training and renewal opportunities for employees that have a broad organizational impact.

    Examples of proposals for group projects include:

    • Diversity awareness
    • Leadership training
    • Change management
    • Skill training for workgroups
    • Customer service

    An example of a proposal for individual projects is:

    • Train-the-trainer training designed for the individual to return and train others in the organization on the learned technique(s).

    Collaboration

    Employees from across the District, including employees from different Colleges/Skill Centers/District Office, may join together to submit a proposal for funding of a collaborative effort that will support system-wide teamwork and the sharing of learning.

    Examples of proposals for the projects include:

    • Sponsoring a conference to encourage networking and share learning among similar employees located throughout the District.
    • Seed money to create or develop a District-wide program that will benefit the employees throughout the District.

    V. FUNDING INFORMATION

    Renewal funding supports the learning and growth opportunities of all MCCCD employees. Due to limited funds, the program supports new, collaborative proposals that have not been funded in the past. Expenditures must follow MCCCD purchasing policies and guidelines. Funding is not available for capital expenditures, employee incentives, gifts or personal services such as makeovers, massage, etc. In an effort to avoid any "conflict of interest", renewal funding is not available for contracts for services or honorariums to employees. Funding is not available for facilities rental or food and refreshments. Eligible proposals will be funded until the available money is totally committed.

    Total budget for proposals from Colleges/Skill Centers/District Office personnel and District-wide collaborations = $30,000. If additional money becomes available, it will be added to the pool of proposal money.

    The total amount available for projects occurring from July 1 - December 31, 2009 is $15,000 and $15,000 is available for projects occurring from January 1 - June 30, 2010. We will accept proposals for fall and spring funding at any time.

    There is no maximum or minimum amount of funding that may be requested. However, the average project award in fiscal year 2007-2008 was $2,100.

    Any money not spent for an approved project/activity must be returned within two weeks of the completed activity/project and before June 30, 2010.

    2009-2010 Renewal Proposal Form