These below mutual expectations shall stand as our philosophy for serving the residents and visitors of our community. 

This is what we call “The Elburn Way”.

1.   SERVICE to others. It is what we do and why we exist. We need to continue serving the community through readiness, prevention, response, and recovery. Maintain a very visible presence in the community.

2.   Be kind. Don’t just maintain human dignity – promote it! Encourage your heart, celebrate successes.     people doing things right and tell them immediately. Make work more fun.

3.   Maintain a shared vision. ONE VOICE! Know each other’s values and motivations. Keep your focus on the big picture – and try to align our goals with our shared vision. Stay positive. Listen.

4.   Be Prepared mentally, physically, and “mechanically” to respond to all hazards.

5.   ACT! Model the way. Do your job. Do what you say you’re going to do. Don’t “meet” the standard, SET the standard through your actions. Discuss shared values. Measure what’s important. Do the hard things right…and do the things that you require of others.

6.   Enable, encourage, expect others to act. Include and collaborate. Share information. Focus on gains, not losses. Support efforts – GUIDE them through mistakes and ACKNOWLEDGE them through success! Enlarge our people’s sphere of influence. Educate.

7.   Challenge the Status Quo. RESPECTFULLY and objectively question the status quo. Find something that needs fixing.

        Answer these three questions:

         1. What is the challenge

         2. What will happen if we make a change

         3. What will happen if we don’t make a change

Add adventure and challenge. Be open. Take risks. Examine every failure. Welcome all feedback.

8.   Communicate. Honest, open, respectful, and factual communication. We provide feedback in a constructive manner. We keep members informed of facts (not rumors or innuendos) in a reasonable timeframe.

9.   Regardless of your position within this organization, be GREAT in your role or demonstrate continued progress in working towards achievement of this goal.

10.  HAVE FUN – BUILD PRIDE!