UW-EXTENSION PROVIDES TEAM LEARNING SUPPORT
TO MARATHON COUNTY DEPARTMENT DIRECTORS

SITUATION
Marathon County Deputy Administrator Brad Karger began investigating new approaches to administrative meetings in late 2006 by pulling together a work group composed of department directors. There was an interest in developing meeting structure which involved more active discussion between directors and tapped their collective knowledge. The work group was given the charge to develop some options for supporting a culture of cooperation and leadership. 

RESPONSE 
Mary Kluz, Community Resource Development Educator, was requested to join the work group. During initial meetings, Kluz collected information about what the work group members wished to accomplish. The group had varied ideas about how meetings could be different, but weren’t clear how their peers would receive suggested changes or what they would achieve with a different structure. Kluz instructed the work group members about dialogue methods, and specific detail on World Café as an option to involve their fellow directors in the redesign of their meetings. Kluz facilitated discussion at the monthly department head meetings in November and December 2006, and January through April 2007 using the World Café approach.

RESULTS
During the facilitated meetings, the directors and/or their representatives learned about World Café technology, a meeting technique focused on dialogue. The directors explored questions covering the definition and creation of a culture of accountability, the purpose of their monthly meetings, the most critical challenges they each face in the next three to five years, how they prepare for common challenges, and how they develop as a leadership group. The directors also developed group agreements about who belongs in a defined leadership group and how they choose to interact with each other. / By intentionally addressing the environment and principles for dialogue, the participants gave input to the design team which led to the first-ever department director retreat in July 2007. Kluz co-facilitated that retreat with Kenosha County Community Resource Development Educator Annie Jones. At the conclusion of the retreat, the directors were asked, what one thing do you believe would make the greatest contribution to moving forward? Responses included comments as: “more of the same-we really need this!”, “understanding and respecting interdisciplinary nature of organization” and “improved collaboration.”  There were also many comments concerning continuing to develop relationships between directors using the demonstrated dialogue methods. / Since the retreat, department head meetings have continued to include collaborative discussions. A subcommittee has recently completed a survey of directors to set priorities for their 2008 work, which resulted in formation of teams working on four foci: 1-staff roles supporting county board committees, 2-technology, 3-budget processes, and 4-performance evaluation.

Mary Kluz, Community Resource Development Agent - 2007 Success Story

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