About Valley Forward :: 2005 Highlights

Received a Visionary Award from the City of Phoenix presented by U.S. Congressman Ed Pastor for historic advocacy of the Rio Salado.
Hosted a VIP Reception in partnership with Audubon Arizona to commemorate the grand opening of the Phoenix Rio Salado project.
Recruited and worked with Jim Elmore and The Orcutt/Winslow Partnership to develop a historic pictorial overview of the regional restoration of the Salt River, which was displayed as part of Valley Forward's exhibit at the Phoenix Rio Salado grand opening.
Endorsed “Conserving Arizona’s Future,” a state trust land reform package that will likely appear on the 2006 general election ballot.
Served as the Valley’s primary advocate of a regional trails system; Developed a PowerPoint presentation on The Valley’s Pedestrian Freeway; Began development of a Passport program.
Exhibited at the City of Phoenix Brownfields Conference.
Exhibited at the City of Scottsdale's Green Building Expo.
Co-sponsored an evening with Christine Ervin, former CEO of the US Green Building Council and Assistant Secretary for Energy under for President Clinton, in partnership with the local USGBC Chapter.
Partnered with the Center for Creative Land Recycling to present "Creating Vibrant Communities: Redeveloping Arizona Brownfields."

WATER COMMITTEE

Produced and distributed 5,000 educational brochures - "Water Facts for The Valley's Business Community."
Presented Valley Forward’s water agenda to the Maricopa Association of Governments’ Water Policy Committee.
Developed and published an OpEd piece in The Business Journal on the 25th anniversary of the Groundwater Management Act in Arizona.
Hosted a luncheon on "What You Need to Know about Water Issues in Arizona."

TRANSPORTATION/AIR COMMITTEE

Created "Valley Forward's Getting Ready for Rail Forums," to be held the morning and afternoon of January 11, 2006 to help Valley businesses impacted by the construction of light rail transit to better understand the challenges and opportunities ahead.
Recruited a diverese list of community partners for our rail forum, including: Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce, Downtown Phoenix Partnership, Phoenix Community Alliance, East Valley Partnership, Tempe Chamber of Commerce and Valley Partnership.
Served as a leading advocate of a balanced multi-modal transportation system, including light rail, buses, freeways, arterials streets, trails and other alternatives.
Produced a fact sheet on particulates and their impact on air quality for VFA's quarterely newsletter, Update.

ENVIRONMENTAL EDUCATION

Presented Valley Forward's EarthFest Educators Night at the Desert Botanical Garden in partnership with Intel Corporation to 200 Arizona teachers and featuring more than 50 booths and exhibits.
Developed and unveiled Valley Forward's EarthFest Education Grant, made possible by STMicroelectronics, allowing Arizona teachers in K-12 to apply for up to $5,000 in funding.
Partnered with the Arizona Science Teachers Association to co-promote environmental education events hosted by our respective organizations; Exhibited at ASTA's 51st Annual Conference.
Created and distributed to Arizona teachers nearly 500 "sponge" activities designed to enhance awareness of ecological issues and bring focus to the classroom.
Expanded Valley Forward's Online Environmental Education Resource Directory to include nearly 50 listings of programs offered by member companies.

EVENT COMMITTEES

VALLEY FORWARD'S LIVABILITY SUMMIT

Attracted 225+ community leaders to "Valley Forward's Livability Summit," a daylong event on April 13 promoting healthy communities
Featured nationally recognized keynote speakers: Amory Lovins, CEO of the Rocky Mountain Institute; and Neal Peirce, Chairman of The Citistates Group and a nationally syndicated columnist.
Presented a panel discussion moderated by Rob Melnick of the Morrison Institute for Public Policy and featuring: Rita Maguire, of ThinkAZ and the former director of the Arizona Department of Water Resources; Luther Porpst of the Sonoran Institute; and former Tempe Mayor Neil Giuliano.
Created a Valley Forward display titled, "Valley Then. Valley Now. Valley Forward." showcasing our metropolitan area's historic progress.
Hosted more than 50 exhibits on sustainability, resource management and healthy communities.
Developed and presented the Livable Communities Award for the 2005 Future City Competition - Phoenix Region; Showcased winning entries at our Livability Summit and re-presented the award in a school assembly.

2005 Livability Summit Speakers

ENVIRONMENTAL EXCELLENCE AWARDS

Presented Valley Forward's Environmental Excellence Awards silver anniversary awards gala, held in partnership with SRP, the most successful in the organization's history with more than 600 community leaders attending at the Hyatt Regency Scottsdale at Gainey Ranch.
Recognized 46 projects submitted by Valley businesses, government agencies and non-profit organizations for significant contributions to the environment.
Introduced a new award category for open space and connectivity.
Commemorated the 25th anniversary of the program by creating sterling silver Crescordia charms and Valley Forward lapel pins through Charity Charms as part of an ongoing sustaninable fundraising program.

36TH ANNUAL LUNCHEON

Larry Winget

Presented the best attended annual luncheon in Valley Forward Association history featuring Larry Winget, a hilarious and energizing philosopher who teaches universal success principles.
Received widespread attention in both print and broadcast media.

ORGANIZATIONAL ISSUES

Increased dues while maintaining a membership renewal rate of 85%, double our projected retention; Began implementation of the transition to a calendar year billing system in 2006.
Recruited a new Visionary member for Valley Forward in 2006 - Intel Corporation.
Exceeded revenue projections for all 2005 events while maintaining projected expenses; Generated record attendance for all quarterly Board of Directors/General Membership Luncheons.
Hired and trained a full-time Membership Director and Executive Assistant, and recruited a non-paid intern for three months.
Generated record publicity for Valley Forward through public relations efforts.
Developed and implemented a 2005 Strategic Plan, accomplishing all objectives.
Developed and applied for two funding grants that will be awarded in 2006.
Conducted a Board of Directors Retreat to identify future issues and projects.
Created a 2006 Strategic Plan to be presented for approval in January.
Established a Membership Committee and re-cruited Co-Chairs from the Board/Executive Committee, as well as qualified volunteer participants from the membership at large.
Developed an elevator card and marketing materials for the Board to support their role in membership development.
Redesigned Valley Forward's website maiking it easier to navigate and more technically sound.
Produced and distributed a quarterly newsletter, Membership Directory and Annual Report.

COMMUNITY OUTREACH

Served on the Phoenix Bond Committee, Parks Subcommittee.
Served on the West Valley Recreation Corridor Executive Committee and maintained their financial records.
Represented VFA's memberships in Phoenix Community Alliance, Valley Partnership and the Greater Phoenix Chamber of Commerce.
Undertook efforts to diversify our membership by networking with the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce and Black Chamber of Commerce.
Delivered a presentation on environmental stewardship at West Valley Leadership.
Participated as a panelists in the 2005 Community Leadership Forum.
Served as a judge in Wetmarc's Best of the West awards program.
Served as a facilator for a charette presented by Friends of the West Valley Recreation Corridor.