College Assembly held on February 14, 2011

The “table chat” at the February 14 College Assembly provided opportunity for attendees to identify which of the seven outcomes for the Mercy 2020 Initiative is most important and why. As table reporters shared responses with the whole group, it was noted that every outcome was cited by at least one table. Outcome number three, “Craft a flexible (adaptive, dynamic, evolving, living) strategic plan that addresses the immediate needs (opportunities) and focuses on the long-term vision for the College,” was cited most frequently.

Table groups also spoke to the advantages of Max-Mix seating and to those of self-selected seating. While participants noted that, at times, it is easier to be seated with co-workers, a number of advantages for Max-Mix seating were cited.

During the progress report about the Mercy 2020 Initiative, Dr. Steven Cady outlined the steps in the process which have already been completed. He noted that the Strategic Planning Committee will be working on designing the template and initial draft 1.0 of the Strategic Plan which will be used as a starting point for conversation at a Whole College Event to be held in August 2011. A separate Design Team for this event is being formed. A number of references for articles, websites, and videos related to whole system change in higher education were listed in the handout provided to attendees. All were reminded to visit www.Mercy2020.com to check the blog entries.

Take a few minutes to view Deb Crowl’s summary of the Assembly.

SPC Meeting Summary 1-31-11 - Welcoming New Member

Highlights of our meeting were:

• New committee member welcomed: At the suggestion of Andrea Price, Mercy COO, Steven Nathanson, Vice President of Planning for Mercy, has joined the Steering Committee. As he introduced himself, it was apparent that Steve brings a great deal of interest and support for Mercy College to the table. Of all the healthcare systems in this region, Steve noted that Mercy is unique by having Mercy College as part of the system. This provides a “win-win” situation in terms of our graduates seeking employment in the Mercy system and also the College provides Mercy employees the opportunity to further their education. Committee members are delighted that Steve is part of our “team.”

• Members addressed the difficulties faced by individuals trying to access the mercy2020 website. Plans are underway to move from Google to D2L. This will help meet expectations of accessibility to materials online and will keep communications open. The College community will be kept informed as this transition occurs.

• Plans for the February 14, 2011 College Assembly were reviewed. One of the topics for discussion will center on the purpose and outcomes for the Strategic Planning process. Initial outcomes were revised based on input from the August 12, 2010 College Assembly, two reviews by the Strategic Planning Committee, and Executive Leadership. Faculty, staff, and administrators will receive a copy of the outcomes before the Assembly so each person has time to review the seven outcomes and come prepared to discuss which is most important from his/her perspective.

• Committee members reviewed the next steps in the Road Map, including the design of future collaborative events that will be held starting in the fall 2011 semester.

View Dr. Kim Watson’s comments following our meeting.

The next meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee will be held on Friday, February 25, 2011 from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

Pat McAllen Interview Pt. 1 of 4 - Why I Said Yes

Dr. Patricia McAllen, Associate Dean and Program Chair at our Youngstown Site, shared her reasons for saying “yes” to serving on the Strategic Planning Committee. As Mercy College moves into the future, it is essential that we remain innovative and plan wisely.

SPC Holds Second Meeting - First Meeting of the New Year

The second meeting of the Strategic Planning Committee was held on Thursday, January 6.

Several key areas were addressed:

• Review of the format for College Assemblies with particular attention to the December 10 Assembly. From this discussion, several recommendations were made to assist in refining the process for future gatherings. We affirmed the value of the “max-mix” table groupings which allows the opportunity to converse with persons we may not otherwise see on a regular basis. 

• Committee members had an “assignment” to review the table comments generated at the August 12 Assembly related to the purpose and outcomes of the Strategic Planning Process as well as the question of who needs to be involved in the process. The responses for this assignment are posted on mercy2020.com (Workspace/Strategic Planning Committee/Assignment 1). 

• At this meeting we addressed only the outcomes. In triads, we carefully reviewed our committee’s responses noting common and unique themes. Each small group crafted proposed changes to the outcome statements. The whole group then refined the suggestions. Our work is posted on the website (Workspace/Strategic Planning Committee/January 6 meeting). 

• The agenda at the February 14 College Assembly will include time for discussion and suggestions for further refinement and clarity regarding these revised outcome statements. 

Dates for future meetings of the Strategic Planning Committee were established:

• Friday, February 25     8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Friday, March 18         8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
• Wednesday, April 27  12:00 noon to 3:00 p.m.

At the end of the meeting, committee members were unanimous in affirming their confidence in the process recognizing that participation of all of us (not just the committee) is essential as we effectively plan for our future.

Video from SPC member Dave Evatt that provides a summary of what was discussed at the meeting.

Mercy College Assembly 12-13-10 Update

President Hayward called the Assembly to order at 12:05 pm and invited Sister Sally Bohnett to offer the opening prayer.

Dr. Steve Cady provided a broad overview of the agenda for the meeting. He reminded attendees that the purpose of the table chat is to allow everyone an opportunity to think about the topic quietly for a few moments and then share with one another. Table groups then were asked to introduce themselves and respond to this question: “In terms of College Assemblies, this is what we need to accomplish to make it a worthwhile use of my time…” Commonalities as well as unique items surfaced in the table chats were shared with the entire group.

Sister Barbara Davis, SC, chairperson of the Strategic Planning Committee, provided an update on the Strategic Planning Process.

• The Steering Committee had its first meeting on Wednesday, December 1. The agenda, handouts, and minutes of this meeting are posted on Mercy 2020.com under the section devoted to the Steering Committee.
• Responses of the three assignments given to the Steering Committee are posted. The Committee reviewed the purpose and outcomes for the Strategic Planning Process as well as who needs to be involved. Additionally, we are posting comments related to the commonalities and differences in our Pillars of Progress, the report from Dr. Gaston (August 2009), and Higher Learning Commission documents from the November 2009 site visit.
• The blog at this same site has the minutes of the December 1 meeting as well as a brief video overview of the meeting.
• The next meeting for the Steering Committee will be on Thursday, January 6.

Dr. Maria Nowicki thanked everyone for their response to this year’s Giving Tree appeal. Gifts for a family of five and two individuals as well as many office supplies for Women Blessing Women were received. Distribution is taking place today.

Below is a summary video from Deb Johnson on what was talked about during the opening table discussion.

Steering Committee Holds First Meeting

On December 1, Mercy’s Steering Committee met for the first time. Our objective in this two-hour discussion was to discuss our roles and assignments necessary to get ready for the December 13 College Assembly and our January 6 Design Meeting.

Upon entering into the President’s Conference room, each member was asked to note on a display board our personal experience with Strategic Planning from 2000-2010, as well as our experience within our departments and the College as a whole. President Hayward gave a warm welcome and discussed the importance and significance of the Steering Committee to help lead the College to become a model best practice in institutional effectiveness in higher education.

Sr. Barbara then launched us into the agenda, discussing how we will use the RoadMap and online technology to communicate and focus on our outcomes through the Mercy College Workspace. Assignments were given to members. We then entered into a table discussion in which we took time to reflect on our successes and concerns related to Strategic Planning, and what we need to accomplish to make it a worthwhile use of our time. We shared common and unique answers with the whole group. Sr. Barbara elaborated on one critical component of our roles/responsibilities is that each of us be honest and respectful in sharing our opinions. We don’t always need to agree with one another. In fact, a variety of opinions will lead us to a better outcome. Communication and “owning our decisions” are an essential part of this process, and we as members of the Strategic Planning Committee will assist in the engagement of all departments in the College.

From here, Steve Cady turned our attention to the Collaborative Process and our “Intention.” Our Mission/Vision is our core centerpiece that will drive us to where we need to be. Our “Intention” is our purpose and meaning. It is part of our process that makes us unique and will give us the power for expression and change. In order for change, we must have transformation. In order for transformation to occur, we must have a process. Steve then emphasized the five core concepts of collaborative planning by using a change formula (D x V x F x S = M > R).

D = Dissatisfaction with the current situation
V = Vision of possibilities
F = First steps in the direction of the vision
S = Support mechanisms
M = Momentum for change
R = Resistance to Change

This formula is our “road map” to help energize and inspire faculty, staff, students, alumni, and other constituents. We need to shift to a more entrepreneurial and innovative culture that leads us to plan effectively rather than using a “band aid” approach to problem solving. The goal of our committee is to establish a common planning approach that can be used at all levels and ensure Mercy College is structured to support efficient implementation and continuous improvement. Our ultimate goal is to strengthen the brand identity and pride in Mercy College rooted in our heritage and values. This goal can only be accomplished if everyone is involved. Below is a summary video from Sister Barbara Davis.

To see more details on the Steering Committee’s first meeting, log into http://www.mercy2020.com/ and click on Strategic Planning Committee/Meetings/December 1st 2010. (Meeting minutes will be posted by Thursday, Dec. 9)

Mead Summit Video

This video provides a nice overview of a Whole System Change event.  Mead School District's Superintendent decided to approach strategic planning in a different way.  He decided to bring together all members of the community and collaboratively create a future together - a future that they take action on.

"People support and defend that which they help to create."

This quote gets at the heart of collaboration on a large-scale.  When all key stakeholders come together to co-create a future - that future vision is wiser, more intelligent.  The whole Mead community experientially:

1. Reviewed the current state and agreed together that it is time for a change - including why now?  This is a collective assessment of what is working and not working with an eye toward building on strengths and positive possibilities.
2. Crafted a strategic plan for the future with the leadership that together had input and the necessary support from leadership; sharing power and sharing in responsibility as well.  Leadership brings the question and sets the stage for sharing in the co-creation of the future.  In a Harvard Business Review Article - "You Can Be King or Rich, but You Can't Be Both," the authors make the case from research that the best way for leaders to create a rich future, they must create a shared vision, versus imposing their personal vision on the whole.
3. Identifed key first steps in the process that are critical to moving the whole system forward, concretely in the next six to eight months.  After an event like this, people move to action instantly, because the whole system is leaving on the same page with public commitment to action.
4. Set up a system of accountability to follow-through.  Rather than an event focused strategic planning where the plan goes on a shelf.  In this case, a roadmap is established and communicated at the event so that everyone understands and believes that there will be follow-through.

As you watch the video, notice the DxVxFxS>R formula in action.  Can you see it in the above four steps?  A pivotal moment in the video is when a custodial worker spoke for the whole room in stating that "we are all essential..."  It was a powerful moment.  And, the Mercy College, 20/20 Initiative is based on that fundamental principle.