Managing Change and Transition, Creating a Future
Childhood Education Volume 84, No 4, p. 222-A
Beginning in childhood and on into adulthood, each of us experiences many transitions and changes in our lives. A child who transitions from preschool to kindergarten undergoes a major change in his/her life. Research shows that a successful school transition can have a positive impact on young children's learning. Adults also experience many major life transitions and changes: relocation, marriage, having a family, and beginning a new career are examples of change that occurs in an adult's life. Some people cope with change better than others and make transitions easily; some people may experience a longer transition in order to integrate change.
In his book Managing Transitions: Making the Most of Change (1991, 2007), William Bridges states that most people do not have problems with change itself, but rather with transitions. He said "change is situational and transition is psychological." Most people have a fear of change due to uncertainty. Once a person releases that which is familiar and transitions into a new routine, their confidence will surge and their comfort level will increase. People, then, can explore the new opportunities that lead to hope and excitement.
ACEI is in transition. First, the ACEI Executive Director, Jerry Odland, who has given 23 years of service, has left ACEI. The change of leadership in the Headquarters office is significant. Second, the ACEI Executive Board has observed the changes occurring in the professional world and formulated the needed strategic changes in the organization for further growth. A strategic change is a "change with a purpose." The first step of the strategic change process in the organization is to propose a strategic plan. The Executive Board worked with Diane Whitehead, ACEI's Interim Executive Director, in October 2007 and again in January 2008 and produced a working document of ACEI's Strategic Plan for 2009-2011. The proposed three-year strategic plan has eight strategic goals and 27 strategic objectives.
The eight strategic goals are:
Goal 1: To secure ACEI's leadership position by expanding global outreach and strengthening partnerships.
Goal 2: To ensure that all ACEI programs, publications, and special events meet members' needs and support ACEI's mission and commitment statement.
Goal 3: To engage ACEI in supporting and promoting relevant global trends and movements that positively influence the rights, well-being, and education of children.
Goal 4: To ensure excellence in nonprofit management.
Goal 5: To ensure quality in professional development of educators based on current and emerging professional standards and trends.
Goal 6: To promote excellence in teaching and learning by influencing national and global policies, standards, and pedagogy.
Goal 7: To utilize the most effective state-of-the-art technology and technological systems to support the work of ACEI and influence global outreach.
Goal 8: To recruit and retain members who share ACEI's mission and are dedicated to its purpose, and provide services that meet their professional needs in order to solidify value of membership for them.
The second step of the strategic change process is to work with ACEI Committees and Headquarters staff to implement the strategic goals and objectives. At ACEI's 2008 Conference in Atlanta, Georgia, the Executive Board worked with ACEI Committee Chairs and interested members to develop strategic action steps. To implement ACEI's strategic plan requires a team effort. Henry Ford said, "Coming together is a beginning. Keeping together is progress. Working together is success." When we go through the change and transition, and are able to work together, we will be successful.
An unknown author once said, "Teamwork is the ability to work together toward a common vision, the ability to direct individual accomplishments toward organizational objectives. It is the fuel that allows common people to attain uncommon results." I believe that through our team effort, we can strengthen ACEI by increasing its visibility in the global world, serving as a leader in the field of childhood education, and promoting excellence in teaching and learning. As a result, we can accomplish each of ACEI's strategic goals and objectives.
Changes can be frightening. However, change does bring hope and opportunity. The ACEI Headquarters staff, Executive Board, and worldwide members are all committed to ACEI's mission. James Womack said, "Commitment unlocks the doors of imagination, allows vision, and gives us the 'right stuff' to turn our dreams into reality." With our strong commitment to ACEI, hope and opportunity are near. Through the change and transition, ACEI has a bright future.
Reference
Bridges, W. (1991, 2007). Managing transitions: Making the most of change. New York: HarperCollins.
—Karen Liu, President