"The core values of an organization are those values we hold which form the foundation on which we perform work and conduct ourselves. We have an entire universe of values, but some of them are so primary, so important to us that through out the changes in society, government, politics, and technology they are still the core values we will abide by. In an ever-changing world, core values are constant. Core values are not descriptions of the work we do or the strategies we employ to accomplish our mission. The values underlie our work, how we interact with each other, and which strategies we employ to fulfill our mission. The core values are the basic elements of how we go about our work. They are the practices we use (or should be using) every day in everything we do."
We rely on each other; mutual trust assumes the potential performance and visions not yet fully formed in written agreements. We assume positive intent first when things go wrong. We are honest and forthright in meeting our commitments.
Within an organization or network, people working together creates better value than competition; our relationships are based on mutual respect and a sense of shared purpose. We strive to be a national leader in rural health collaboration.
Complex challenges benefit from the innovation that comes from new ideas or new links among existing ideas.
We always strive to do high quality work; what we all do matters; others will receive from us high quality performance.
We take pride in the work we do knowing it is supporting the healing mission of many.
Information is shared and affected parties are involved.
Our most important resource is each other and we do our best work when we continue to invest in lifelong learning and development, both professionally and/or personally.
We maximize our achievement and we work to acquire the level of resources needed to do so.
Each of us has a clear understanding of what is expected of us; everyone’s job is important to RWHC. Each of us has an individual obligation, not diminished by being part of a team, to perform at his or her highest possible level.
The introductory paragraph is from the National Park Service website, (accessed 2-23-09)
timsize@rwhc.com