The Mission and Vision Challenge for ISTA

Welcome to the Mission/Constitution page for ISTA. The first section deals with our mission and strategic goals for our mission. These goals were adopted at the 2004 conference. President Bailey and the board are using the 2005 conference to determine ways to implement these goals.

The constitution was also revised during 2004. Please click here for a copy of the constitution showing changes.

MISSION STATEMENT:
The mission of the Illinois Speech and Theatre Association is to develop, cultivate and support communication and theatre educators through instructional and assessment resources, research, and performance. ISTA fosters continuing growth of the discipline through mentoring and community outreach in order to promote the value of speech communication as an integral function of society. Please click here for a copy of the mission statement.

STRATEGIC GOALS:
1. To advocate the communication and theatre disciplines as independent, yet interdependent, components of education and society in general.

2. To develop, support, and advance communication and theatre education, instruction, and pedagogy.

3. To prepare students for further education, social and career opportunities, by developing critical thinking, research, oral & written communication, and technological skills.

4. To identify & serve the needs of a diverse membership through a variety of professional programs and activities.

5. To become well known, highly valued, and frequently consulted by educational, organizational, and public audiences (such as Illinois State Board of Education, Illinois Board of Higher Education and the Illinois Community College Board) on such topics as certification, professional development, and high stakes testing.

6. To foster the development of future teachers of communication, theatre, and language arts.

7. To collaborate with other professional organizations such as Illinois Association for the Teaching of English, Illinois Theatre Association and the Illinois Arts Alliance.

8. To secure and manage financial and human resources that support our priorities effectively.

9. To increase state and regional membership by being accessible and responsive to current and prospective members.

10. To develop and disseminate print and electronic resources that serve members, as well as larger academic and public communities.