Defining Key Terms: What do these important words mean to us?
Equity. Equal access to opportunity, institutions, and resources by all people to enable them to participate, prosper, and thrive.
Social Justice. Systematic fair treatment by and within governmental, social, cultural, and community institutions that ensures equal economic, political and social rights and opportunities.
Leadership. The capacity to create shared vision, motivate and inspire people to engage with that vision, develop effective strategies, and build thriving teams that deliver results.
Community. People joined together by shared purpose, vision, interests, or goals. Characterized by persistence (i.e., enduring over time), relatedness (i.e., engagement with one another in dynamic ways), and connection (i.e., camaraderie).
Culture. The “look and feel” of an organization, community, or region that results from shared values, beliefs, and agreed-upon behavioral norms.
Regional Vibrancy. The unique and distinct character that defines Northern California: its natural beauty, human diversity, artistic and cultural richness, innovative, entrepreneurial and creative economic engine, and deep legacy of social justice. Our “heartbeat,” if you will.
Sustainability. Strengthening and preserving our region’s vital workforce, diverse and rich populations, nonprofit infrastructure, artistic and cultural communities/institutions, and natural environment.
