Delivering services in the midst of their communities, local authority librarians frequently find themselves engaged with elected Members. The quality of relationship built and maintained with elected Members is crucial to the development of effective services. Yet professionally trained officers often find it difficult to understand Members’ agendas. The consequences can be embarrassment and a failure to secure investment and support.
Benefits of attending
This one-day course looks at how to establish and maintain credibility and a reputation for sound judgment with Members and colleagues. Such surefootedness is based on accurately ‘reading’ Members needs, motivations and the politics of situations.
By the end of the course participants will:
- improve their ‘reading’ of Members’ needs and motivations and how to be politically sensitive
- explore their options for behaving in ways that create a positive impression
- increase their confidence in answering political questions, presenting advice and winning Member support
- increase their ability to anticipate actions that might be politically sensitive and thus reduce the chances of causing political embarrassment
Who should attend?
Librarians, deputies, policy and research officers – anyone whose effectiveness depends upon being sensitive to the perspectives of Members and needs to win the understanding and support of elected Members.
Programme
- Models of Political Behaviour
Frameworks for understanding Member behaviour and Officer responses.
- Maintaining Credibility – small group activity
A discussion of scenarios that explores the variety of interpretations and responses that are possible
A fun activity that helps participants to examine the skills involved in managing the reception of difficult information
- Needs, motivations and expectations of Members expectations
Discussion and presentation to explore participant experience of Members
Visit to course by elected Members for question and answer session
- Maintaining loyalty to different stakeholders, practicing scrutiny skills
Explore the skills involved in being open to scrutiny by Members.
Places are limited to 16
9.15 Registration and Coffee - 1.00 Lunch - 5.00 Close
Course leaders: Robin Norrie and Dave Press
Fees
CILIP personal members: £240 plus VAT £282.00
CILIP organisation members: £290 plus VAT £340.75
Non members: £340 plus VAT £399.50