Background
A “Do Tank”
The dynamic forces that have shaped Arizona over the past 50 years show every sign of continuing in the decades ahead. Metropolitan Phoenix, for example, has grown by over 1 million people in the last decade, and is expected to double in population over the next 25 to 30 years. If we are to preserve and enhance the features that most characterize the kind of Arizona we want for our future — an evolving and dynamic economy, a well educated and successful citizenry, a high quality environment where we work, live and play, and one that revitalizes rather than degrades the distinctive features of this magnificent setting — we must take appropriate steps to understand and shape the forces most likely to define our future. Now is the time for leaders from all sectors to set a bold vision for Arizona’s economy, its educational system, and its social and physical infrastructure.
What is the mission of the Center for the Future of Arizona?
- Improve the quality of life for all Arizonans
- Develop an action-oriented agenda to tackle the important issues facing our State
- Engage civic and political leadership as agents for positive change
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What principles guide the work of the Center for the Future of Arizona?
- Emphasize action and results
- Seek collaborative partnerships
- Originate, don’t duplicate
- Be willing to lead the way
- Explore new policy options
- Develop and drive action-oriented strategies
- Limit long term commitments to a few projects
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What are the Center's initial projects?
Initially the Center will focus in two areas:
- A Vision for the Future of Arizona: The Center for the Future of Arizona will propose a vision of Arizona’s future for consideration by key stakeholders in the public and private sector, following exploration and analysis of past activities and published reports.
- Improve Arizona’s High School Graduation and Dropout Rates: Addressing Arizona’s high school graduation and dropout rates is a priority for the Center. First steps have included efforts to analyze and more sharply define the issues necessary to significantly improve Arizona’s high school graduation and dropout rates. Ongoing projects include the establishment of ambitious and achievable graduation goals, steps to improve our understanding of success and failure, steps to improve success across all ethnic groups, and analyses of major systems-level questions in the hope of identifying leverage points in the educational system.
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What additional projects are under consideration?
The Center will always have two to three active projects underway while others are in earlier stages of development. Two leading candidates currently in an exploratory phase are the following:
- Strengthening Opportunities for Arizona’s Working Poor: While much work is being done towards thegoal of improving the lives of the working poor and others in need in Arizona,the Center could provide a significant service by clearly articulating thechallenges facing the working poor, reporting on the adequacy of current effortsto improve their lives, and developing a statewide agenda to address theirneeds.
- Develop Contemporary Leadership Model: The future of Arizona will depend on the leadership of a number of important and distinctive communities: business, philanthropic, education, civic, cultural, and non-profit as well as its governing institutions in the state legislature, the executive branch and the governor’s office. Their roles, structures, and effectiveness have changed over time as Arizona’s circumstances and needs have changed. The Center will assess the effectiveness of the state’s leadership in representing constituencies, balancing interests, and implementing desired policy outcomes and develop new leadership models based on its findings to better meet the needs of the state.
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How is the Center organized and staffed?
ORGANIZATION
501(c)(3) non-profit organization
Governed by a Board of Directors comprised of distinguished leaders from the community.
STAFF
Chief Executive Officer: Dr. Lattie F. Coor, a long-time Arizonan, educator, and former President of Arizona State University.
Executive Director: Dr. Sybil Francis, public policy expert, with experience in both the Congress and the White House on significant national issues.
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How is the Center funded?
Privately funded through individual contributions and donations from philanthropic organizations in Arizona. The Center has already obtained the commitment of initial major founding sponsors and is seeking others.
The Bruce T. Halle Family Foundation is contributing $200,000 a year over five years to fund the Center’s Arizona Dropout Initiative.
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Where is the Center located?
The Center is located in Downtown Phoenix in leased space at Arizona State University’s extended campus.
Address:
541 E. Van Buren, Suite B-5, Phoenix, Arizona 85004
Tel: (602) 496-1360, Fax: (602) 496-1359
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