Tuesday, 19 April
Today was the first Staff Meeting. It rocked! We started off introducing ourselves... I introduced myself as, "Intern and soon-to-be New Hire," with a gentle ribbing of and knowing look toward the CEO. This elicited a burst of laughter and round of applause from the staff. It made me smile.
We went on to talk about the Mission and Values Statements, going around the room talking about what struck us about each, what we thought could use improvement, what should be changed or left the same. Both are up for revision in this Strategic Planning process (the Strategic Plan to be released by Fall).
Afterwards, we spent time with the Speaker Series recap. People were enthusiastic and engaged, actively participating in discussion. I was extremely surprised to see such interest in the over-arching goals of the P-ship. Of course, the mission of the P-ship is to end homelessness and put ourselves out of work, but the methods we use to "attack the root causes of homelessness" are not completely understood, in my perception, by the staff members, who all have daily tasks which keep them from lending energy and effort towards planning these "big ideas."
I wasn't expecting much from the staff. In my daily, brief dealings with them, I've never picked up on an interest in the kinds of planning we were discussing. It's not to say I don't think they're intelligent and "creative, solution-oriented" individuals, but it's kind of like politics: most people are indifferent or misinformed about what they perceive to be political issues, therefore they shy away from it, choosing to spend their daily energies on the task life. I figured that, for the staff at least, the feeling would be much the same: tell me what I need to know to do my job and don't ask more of me.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear the very articulate, thoughtful responses from staff regarding issues like how to attack the root causes of homelessness, everything from advocacy to education to what exactly the Partnership does and who we are. I was surprised by the openness and interest on the part of staff members. The Directors spoke very little, choosing instead to ask questions and help facilitate the conversation rather than overpower it with their opinions.
All in all, it went extremely well and I was proud to be a part of it.
8 hours.
We went on to talk about the Mission and Values Statements, going around the room talking about what struck us about each, what we thought could use improvement, what should be changed or left the same. Both are up for revision in this Strategic Planning process (the Strategic Plan to be released by Fall).
Afterwards, we spent time with the Speaker Series recap. People were enthusiastic and engaged, actively participating in discussion. I was extremely surprised to see such interest in the over-arching goals of the P-ship. Of course, the mission of the P-ship is to end homelessness and put ourselves out of work, but the methods we use to "attack the root causes of homelessness" are not completely understood, in my perception, by the staff members, who all have daily tasks which keep them from lending energy and effort towards planning these "big ideas."
I wasn't expecting much from the staff. In my daily, brief dealings with them, I've never picked up on an interest in the kinds of planning we were discussing. It's not to say I don't think they're intelligent and "creative, solution-oriented" individuals, but it's kind of like politics: most people are indifferent or misinformed about what they perceive to be political issues, therefore they shy away from it, choosing to spend their daily energies on the task life. I figured that, for the staff at least, the feeling would be much the same: tell me what I need to know to do my job and don't ask more of me.
I was pleasantly surprised to hear the very articulate, thoughtful responses from staff regarding issues like how to attack the root causes of homelessness, everything from advocacy to education to what exactly the Partnership does and who we are. I was surprised by the openness and interest on the part of staff members. The Directors spoke very little, choosing instead to ask questions and help facilitate the conversation rather than overpower it with their opinions.
All in all, it went extremely well and I was proud to be a part of it.
8 hours.
posted by Ruth at 7:52 PM
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