Legacy Letter: Debbie Riggins

Year 2 (Generations United of Yavapai County)

August 16, 2007

To Whom It May Concern:

When I look back over the last 12 months of my life, I am struck by how brief, yet important, my VISTA year was to our team and me.  We came together to work for an organization with very high ideals and a loose plan for making them a reality.  Given this environment, and the structure of our VISTA team, it was necessary to learn how to work together to structure our project and carry out it's various goals.  Leadership was lacking in many ways, which had a negative impact on each of us, but paradoxically, it is in this void that I have come to recognize my personal legacy and that of this team of remarkable woman.

While we each worked on the goals in the project plan such as topical presentations, facilitation of community forums, and the compilation of reams of data for the Spirit Book, what we really did was act as a mirror for informing GUYC.  As we struggled with a lack of leadership and clear purpose, we were able to reflect how these same issues were at the forefront with GUYC.  As we found ways to organize ourselves and seek clarity, so too did GUYC.  

To me, my legacy as a first year VISTA with GUYC is evident in the well thought out structural plan for the AmeriCorps VISTA program that is now in place with Margaret Garvey working as the VISTA Supervisor.  This would not be in place if not for the perseverance, love, and commitment to the team that were exhibited by all.  Moreover, for my part, I am proud of the effort.

Yes, I leave behind a data book, a survey of young families in Prescott Valley, and community forum participants who may have been touched by my facilitation techniques, but overall, I believe that our most important impact has been on what is yet to come.

Sincerely,

Deborah Riggins

AmeriCorps VISTA

Generations United of Yavapai County

July 15, 2006 to July 15, 2007