work participation retrospective
DESCRIPTION
TRANSCRIPT
A Policy Created
by the Community for the Community
GSP Presents: ELC Work Participation Policy
A long history
o Several prior attempts made at a Work Policy
Lots of effort, time & energy
Community invited an expert
Laird Schaub
Nationally recognized Community Facilitator Trainer Came first to ELC in Sept. 2008
Untangle = Identify all strands
Talk about each one
Reach consensus on each one
Solving complex problems
1
2
3
The community discussed this
And decided to follow this strategy
4 community members were trained by Laird
The community paid in part for the training
The trainees paid for the remainder of their training.
The community invested in training
The community discussed the key issues we needed to address
Everyone was invited to provide input
The community identified 10 strands: Here are the first 5 strands/questions
Here are the next 5 strands/questions
First… We identified all tasks needed at ELC
356 tasks
Next, we moved to working through the rest of the strands
Facilitated by GSP at GBM
oOne (1) strand at a time
oThe community discussed each strand
oThe community reached agreement on each strand
Strand 1: Should everyone contribute?
o Yes
o 6 hours (including meeting attendance)
o Can bank hours or pay (within limits)
oOnly adults part of accounting system, but kids are encouraged to participate
GBM: April 2010, May 2010
Strand 2: What is the purpose of work?
o Care for & maintain our built & natural environments
o Ensure fiscal health of the ELC HOA
o Foster healthy community interaction
GBM: July 2009
Strand 3: What counts as work?
(& should some count more than others?) (1)
GBM: March 2009, June 2010 o 356 identified tasks o Committees will prioritize tasks/jobs based on:
o Consistencies or inconsistencies with ELC values o Urgencies and immediacy of needs o Health, safety, and legal Issues o Enhancing quality of life and securing long-term viability of ELC o Responsible resource management o Promotion of social interaction and effective communication
Strand 3: What counts as work?
(& should some count more than others?) (2)
GBM: March 2009, June 2010
There are two steps to evaluating or advocating for specific task o Committee discusses
• What are the negative consequences & impact if work doesn’t get done? • What are the positive consequences & impact if work is done
o Community discusses • How strong is the universality of ELC members’ feeling that the work is important
and adds value to the community?
Strand 4: Do we want to measure work (accounting system)?
If so, how? (1)
GBM: August 2009, October 2010
Specialized skills
o The basic unit for measuring work = credit o Credit = 1 hour of work o Some tasks may be weighted higher
(e.g., requires specialized skills or for work that is undone )
o Dollar values may be assigned to tasks (to facilitate out-sourcing, in-sourcing or contributions of “time and money”).
Strand 4: Do we want to measure work (accounting system) ?
If so, how? (2)
GBM: August 2009, October 2010
o Tasks will be prioritized according to community goals by ELC committees .
o Participation Committee is identifying accounting systems (how people report their work).
o Accounting mechanisms will be piloted in 2 committees in 2011.
Strand 5: How do we want to handle tensions?
GBM: January 2010 (Laird), August 2010
oOther tensions around work participation will be handled in the same way as any other tensions in the community.
oA Committee/Task Force is underway to create a space to address conflict in the community.
Strand 6: A. How do we organize our work?
B. What do we do when necessary work is not done (Accountability)?
GBM :Jan 2010 (Laird), April 2010, May 2010
A. The Participation Committee will help organize our work
B. Different types of accountability methods have been discussed such as linking community work with HOA payments. An Accountability Task Force will explore & propose plans to community
Strand 7: How do we accommodate diverse
circumstances and abilities?
o Circumstances may cause member to be unable to work in community for a period of time. E.g.,
o disabling illness
o new baby
o bereavement
oApply for exemption for 3 months
o Check if there’s other work you can do.
GBM :July 2010
Strand 8: Should there be different expectations for
different categories of residents?
Work Participation policy applies to all who live at ELC.
GBM : Sept 2010
Strand 9: What culture do we want to create around
Work Participation? (1)
oOur culture of work will be based in our members' love and concern for the community &
oWill serve as a model of cooperation & interdependence for our children & for others outside the community.
GBM : January 2010 (Laird), October 2010
Strand 9: What culture do we want to create around
Work Participation? (2)
The Participation Committee will guide and inspire us through this process.
GBM : January 2010 (Laird), October 2010
Strand 10: What work needs to be done at ELC?
o 356 identified tasks
o Tasks will be evaluated annually by committees as a part of the ‘hours budgeted’ process
oBudgeting of hours will be piloted in 2011
GBM : March 2009
So let’s review what we’ve done
1. Asked for expert advice on a process that has been used in other communities
2. Followed the recommended process
a. Identified the 10 strands
b. Worked through each of the 10 strands
Proud of ELC
Sept 2008…………….…. January 2011 (2.5 years!)
How long did we work on this?
Look how much agreement was reached!
We have agreement in principle on each of the strands
o Strand 1
o Strand 2
o Strand 3
o Strand 4
o Strand 5
o Strand 6
o Strand 7
o Strand 8
o Strand 9
o Strand 10
So what’s left to do? Develop and test out 4 Mechanisms (2011)
1. Accounting System: PC is developing it.
2. Accountability Mechanism: Accountability Task Force will develop & bring to community discussion
3. Budgeting Hours: PC will provide instructions to committees on how to budget hours for work of their committees.
4. Exemption: GSP to identify where to apply for exemption
All this information and more is available on ELC website
1. This Power Point
2. Summary of 10 strands (details of agreements reached)
3. 356 Tasks
4. Pertinent meeting minutes
What do we want to do today? (1)
What else do we want to do today? (2)
Ask you to consider
consensus
5 questions raised. Outcome described in brackets [ ] 1. We have had agreements in past [correction made to slide] 2. Community spent money to have Laird come and some of us trained. Big
commitment indicating importance; we invested in this [corrections made to slide.]
3. Hours: (a) 4 or 6 agreed upon? Check minutes. [We checked; It is 6.] 4. Exemption Slide: who do we apply to? Originally identified PC but PC feels it
doesn’t belong here. To Be Determined which group will be in charge of this. [Not Policy: Mechanism/ Implementation]
5. What about one-time project not in committee? E.g. Jane’s house; [ PC will define a mechanism that’s understood by all, fluid process. [Not Policy: Mechanism/Implementation]
Clarifications/Questions from Community at the meeting