Establishing organizational mission, vision, and/or goals: Supplied Input to Leadership on Significant Issues: VOICES Core Team meets several times each year with senior leadership, including President Coleman, Executive Vice Presidents, and other senior leaders to discuss issues and opportunities of concern to the staff community.

Establishing new policies, programs, or initiatives: Parking & Transportation Enhancements: VOICES worked closely with Parking & Transportation Services to provide additional and more affordable parking options, improved bus shelters, and expanded commuter bus service.

Strategic and long-term planning: Benefit Plan Improvements: VOICES partnered with the Benefits Office to design and develop an enhanced dental care plan and offered early input on health care and retirement plan changes.

Existing or prospective physical resources: The VOICES Parking and Transportation Team has realized its vision of improved access to parking services with the opening of a branch parking customer service office in UH South (the previous Mott building).

Budgeting, staffing and financial planning: Tom Herbert, assistant vice president of the Development Major Gifts Program, discussed the Michigan Difference Campaign and the importance of staff members’ participation in contributing funds. The Core Team offered campaign strategy suggestions for ways in reaching staff members throughout the University.

Communications processes and transparency practices: Improved Communication: VOICES has been instrumental in developing videos, educational opportunities, training materials and other tools to help build strong faculty/staff and supervisor/staff relationships.