the vista volunteer case study

The Vista VolunteerA Case Study

Dr. Jeanette KerstenCollege of Management

SEAC Conference 10-04-12

Dr. Jeanette KerstenCollege of ManagementInspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

XYZ School District• Small Midwest school district – Shadow of a larger metro area

• April 2012 Referendum – 2010 Referendum failed– 2006 last successful

• Class project request-VISTA volunteer– Community perceptions via Focus Groups– School board and superintendent informed

Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Graduate Course-Organization Development

• Graduate course research project-4 students• Ethics Principles

– UW Stout Guidelines for In class Projectshttp://www.uwstout.edu/rs/classprojects.cfm

– Ethical Guidelines for OD practitioners – Ethics Case studies – Weekly project updates– Project Affiliation Agreements

• Project Scope & Deliverables• Student ownership of work products• Communication boundaries• Confidentiality statement

– Signed by VISTA Volunteer, Superintendent, Students & Instructor


http://www.uwstout.edu/rs/classprojects.cfm



The Project• Student environmental scan– Data collection process

• Community surroundings• Vista Volunteer perspective

– Superintendent• Not notified

– Vista volunteer participant recruitment• Phone script developed

• 2 focus groups– Community– Business and industry


FG #1: Community Focus Group

• Tuesday evening mid November– Community Fire hall• Neutral location

• 5 participants– Vista Volunteer stayed• Student request • Confidentiality concern• Interjections


FG #2: Business Focus Group• Following Thursday evening (November)– Students arrived early– Conversation with Vista Volunteer

• Focus group questions shared with office staff

• 4 Business leaders attended– School board member

• Concerns about the Focus Group– Strained conversations

• Vista Volunteer and School Board Member – Argumentative


Ethical Dilemmas• What were the ethical dilemmas?– Students– Instructor– Superintendent– Focus group participants– Vista volunteer– School board

• What should be included it the portfolio?


Role Episodic Model of Ethical Dilemmas

Adapted with permission :Kluwer Academic publishers, Journal of Business ethics 11(1992): 665, Ethical Dilemmas in

Role of the Client system

(Vista Volunteer & Superintendent)

Role of the ChangeAgents

(students)Role conflict with Vista volunteer

Role uncertainty students

Role Episode Ethical DilemmasVista Volunteer:• Misrepresentation of

project • Misuse of Data• Coercion• Value & goal conflict

Values, Goals, Needs

Skills/Abilities

Antecedents Process Consequences


Post Focus Group• Students concerns– Reviewed Affiliation Agreement– Protection of student work

• Ethical Guidelines for OD and HSD consultants – Learnings for students and class

• Vista Volunteer– Instructor coaching session

• Superintendent contacted


Client Portfolio Meeting• Students deliverable- client portfolio– Environmental Scan– Focus Group data analysis

• Portfolio Recommendations– School Board Engagement– Communication– Transparency– Ethics/Confidentiality training


Recommendations for Client• Leverage School Board relationship– Community communication– Collaboration & partnership on projects

• Focus on Community-School Relationship– Clear, concise, & comprehensive Information

• Inform the Community – Town Hall Meetings – Newsletter

– Improvements to the School District Website• Previous recommendation


Recommendations…• Random selection for participant selection

– Focus Groups– Community Forums

• Third Party involvement– Coordination and management– Invitations– Correspondence

• Location – Minimal background noise

• Confidentiality– Ethical standards– Ethics/Confidentiality training for staff


Epilogue• Student presentation & portfolio

– Vista Volunteer interruptions– Instructor present

• Complaint list Vista Volunteer (Dec. 2011)– Assigned students– Graduate course instruction

• Conversation with Department of Public Instruction (DPI)– Boundary awareness and limits– Roles and Responsibilities (Vista Volunteers)– Training and role definition– Performance evaluation process


References• Cummings, C.G. & Worley, C. G. (2008). The organization development

professional. In Organization Development & Change. 9th edition, (46-73). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning.

• White, L.P. & Rhodeback, M.J. (1992). Ethical Dilemmas in Organization Development. Journal of Business Ethics, 11 (9), 663-670.

• University of Wisconsin Stout Guidelines for In Class Projectshttp://www.uwstout.edu/rs/classprojects.cfm




the vista volunteer case study

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