What a week – especially if you are excluded from decisions affecting you.
CBC’s On the Coast show yesterday reported on the artist who wants to finish his effigy of his university president, because she ‘refuses to consult’, and ‘ignores the academic plan.’ “The university says instructor George Rammell’s sculpture was meant to harass Capilano University president Kris Bulcroft. He says it was a simple, and legal, form of protest.” http://www.cbc.ca/onthecoast/2014/05/13/capilano-university-seizes-instructors-sculpture/
My garbage won’t be picked up this week, or next, probably as city workers still have no contract and the mayor thinks their issues are too trivial to negotiate.
“After three days of rotating strikes failed to spur negotiations between the city and employees, White Rock CUPE city workers upped the ante this week by moving to full-scale strike action. – Guraliuk said the union hopes this will be a wake-up call for the White Rock mayor, council and senior management. CUPE National Representative Rob Limongelli, who is also the negotiator for White Rock workers, said he was disappointed by the city’s lack of response to the job action. “Unless they come to the bargaining table and are ready to talk, we’re not going to be coming back,” he said. – See more at: http://www.thenownewspaper.com/news/white-rock-city-workers-begin-full-scale-strike-1.1056867#sthash.qsdW9epD.dpuf Christopher Poon / Surrey Now May 11, 2014 06:14 PM –
I think the academic president could have seized a more authentic consulting opportunity instead of the sculpture. Some critics might say the professor is unrealistic. My city’s mayor could have returned to principled bargaining instead of insulting his workers whose pickets parade outside my door.
I’ve been reviewing the impact from Concordance Decision Making and saw a good example of it in this week’s MacLean’s Magazine. Peter C. Newman wrote, “the First Nations are determined to have a direct hand in planning—probably even building—the pipeline.” Mr. Helin, a lawyer who is president of the Native Investment & Trade Association and author of Dances With Dependency is leading a First Nations revamp of Canada’s energy sector. “What Helin represents is a First Nations-led revamp of Canada’s energy sector, in the sense that, in his view, it ought to operate in the interest of those it directly affects. It is neither land grab nor revolution, but the spirited reaction of a frustrated people who insist on having direct input into the quality of their environment, opportunities for meaningful employment, and financial compensation for future risks. “We are requesting a proper consultation process with impacted First Nations, so that alternate pipeline proposals are shaped with First Nations’ direct input from the outset,” Helin said.” http://www.macleans.ca/economy/business/a-pipeline-of-their-own/
Will Schutz couldn’t have said it better about including the right people in the decision. Here is a quote from The Human Element …
“However, so many different methods have been given the name consensus that it is wise to use a new name, precisely defined, for the method that follows from empowering each member of a team or organization, teaching them to work effectively together, and creating an open atmosphere.
The aim of this decision-making method is to provide a structure for using the creativity and logic of each of us and for making maximum use of our ability to speak honestly to each other. This method encourages us to stimulate each other to arrive at solutions that none of us may have thought of alone.
We will call it concordance decision-making.” http://atlc.org/members/resources/ConcordanceModQ.html
In the June 2014 edition of Zoomer,Peter Muggeridge wrote about Longer Lifespans changing our retirement formula. With all the radical life extensions (from advances in science, nutrition and health), we won’t be retiring in our 60’s, maybe not till our 80’s and 90’s.
I think to remain at ‘work’, we all need to find a way to speak up, to be more honest with each other, have fearless conversations and remind ourselves and our leaders to really listen. Muggeridge ended his article with this very wise advice, Invest in yourself, cultivate and and maintain your good health and remain current with your skill sets… you can stay in the workforce longer. pages 80-90.
Presidents and Mayors and Activists, are you listening? I’m paying attention to entrepreneur-lawyer, Calvin Helin who stays on the side of ‘amicable solutions’ and is not afraid to reach out to anyone affected. It would be easier to work longer in his employ.