Values and Service Code Initiative : 2005 - 2007

In December 2005, the British Columbia Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance hired IC Possibilities Consulting Inc. to help hold a dialogue with their employees on the what their shared core values were and to develop a service code that reflected these values. The project's primary goal was to support meaningful and respectful decision-making and interactions between Ministry employees, clients and other stakeholders.

We developed a comprehensive dialogue process to engage the experience and wisdom of all employees. In mid-December, we worked with the Ministry to create a project Service Code and Organizational Values Steering Committee (SCOV), composed of a diverse and representative group of 26 MEIA employees from all regions and levels. Together we developed an action plan that had three elements:

We held six dialogue sessions over the next three months with staff throughout the province. The participant mix was again intended to be representative of the various functions and levels within the region. These sessions provided important input into the development of the core values and the service code.

Representatives to these dialogue sessions were in turn asked to present their perspective on the dialogue sessions to colleagues in their office in order to encourage more broadly based feedback.

This was further supported by an extensive website that offered all Ministry staff the opportunity to express their views on the dialogue.

In early spring 2006, working with SCOV, a service code was introduced to staff and to the public. SCOV then focussed on ways to assist in the communication and implementation of the service code.

"The organizational values project was about finding pride in our organization and focusing us on our values in order to best serve our clients. You were able to steer the project towards a positive conclusion, and empower the organization to express its own vision and values so that it can move forward. Thank you for your help."

Allison Bond, Assistant Deputy Minister, Regional Operations Department, Ministry of Employment and Income Assistance.

Social Policy Conference: May 2006 and 2007

We facilitated the inaugural Social Policy Conference attended by a broad cross section of Ministry staff (a total of 86 participants). They considered the focus question “How can we encourage an open dialogue between all MEIA staff that builds a shared understanding and vision for effectively developing and implementing critical social policy?”

Working in small groups, participants identified critical success factors for developing and implementing social policy and made recommendations on process improvements. They also identified a common set of criteria for determining high priority social policy changes. Participants then chose from a number of topic areas and provided their input into desired social policy changes. The output of these sessions was carried forward by a working group established move forward the Conference's recommendations and to offer continuity between conferences. As a result of the success of the inaugural Social Policy Conference, it has become an annual event.

"Our goal for this first forum was to create a real synergy between front-line service delivery staff and policy/research staff so that, together, we could identify emerging policy issues and possible solutions for our clients.  Your meticulous planning, your excellent facilitation, your ability to read and focus the energy of participants and your sensitive and respectful management of group dynamics were critical factors to our success.  Participants remarked on the clarity they gained, the validation and empowerment they felt, the high energy and enthusiasm, and the successful collaboration of ideas. You helped us lay an excellent foundation for future policy forums. Not only did you set high standards for us but you also positioned us so we could achieve them."

Mariann Burka, Executive Director, Social Policy Branch