News & Notes May 2003

"Teaming for Tomorrow"
….. Applying the Concepts within Your District

During the recent round of regional district director meetings held in January and February, the Leadership Development Committee presented a 3-hour training session entitled "Teaming For Tomorrow." The focus of the training was to discuss the reasons why it's important to nurture and enhance communications and the critical working relationship between the district board and the district staff - especially the district manager.

The point?? - WHAT DO YOU NEED FROM EACH OTHER IN ORDER FOR YOUR DISTRICT TO OPERATE AT ITS BEST??

That question can be answered in 66 different ways - one unique way for each of our conservation districts. Just as in any partnership where the members are working together toward common goals, each member brings his or her own strengths and needs to the table.

Some strengths and needs are a result of years of experience and district growth - the members "know the ropes" and have learned which things are most important to the success of their district. Other strengths and needs are a result of newer members being part of the team. They may need some additional information in order to contribute their talents to the effort, but they also bring fresh, new ideas, talents and perspectives that can strengthen and expand the abilities of the district. Still other strengths and needs can result from program shifts or changes in technology.

One of the ideas discussed at the regional training sessions was that a successful conservation district needs both "Alignment" and "Candor." The Leadership Development Committee has modified one of the exercises from the training so you can conduct it within your own district team (directors, associate directors and staff).

The exercise is meant as a non-threatening way for board and staff to discuss the type and amount of information and feedback they need, as well as the best ways to convey that information.

Sometimes we forget that different people internalize information in different ways. Some factors to consider about presenting information include:

• Oral reports vs. written materials
• The use of visuals to enhance discussion and focus attention on items
• Presenting Summaries and Options can help get to the point and facilitate discussion and decision-making
• Necessary background information vs. too much detail
• Who really needs to receive what? And when?
• How does our district team communicate now? And how often?
• Are we wasting time creating reports that nobody reads?
………… and most importantly:
• Have we ever talked openly and honestly about the support we need from each other to get the job done?

A lot of the interesting dialogue during the regional training sessions touched upon a lot of the issues and topics listed above. Now it's time to continue that dialogue within your district team back in your county.

The exercise re-worked by the Leadership Development Committee is meant to be used with your whole team - probably in a district meeting setting (either before or after) and will be mailed out during the week of April 7th. We hope that you'll invest the time in completing it. It should only take 20-30 minutes to generate and share your ideas, but they can be some of the most important minutes you can spend on building and strengthening the foundational relationship between your directors and your staff. With luck and effort, the dialogue will continue - and improve - as time goes by.

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