The Vista Volunteer A Case Study Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management SEAC Conference 10-04-12 Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

XYZ School District Small Midwest school district Shadow of a larger metro area April 2012 Referendum 2010 Referendum failed 2006 last successful Class project request-VISTA volunteer Community perceptions via Focus Groups School board and superintendent informed Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Graduate Course-Organization Development Graduate course research project-4 students Ethics Principles UW Stout Guidelines for In class Projects http://www.uwstout.edu/rs/classprojects.cfm Ethical Guidelines for OD practitioners Ethics Case studies Weekly project updates Project Affiliation Agreements Project Scope & Deliverables Student ownership of work products Communication boundaries Confidentiality statement Signed by VISTA Volunteer, Superintendent, Students & Instructor Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

The Project Student environmental scan 2 focus groups Data collection process Community surroundings Vista Volunteer perspective Superintendent Not notified Vista volunteer participant recruitment Phone script developed 2 focus groups Community Business and industry Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

FG #1: Community Focus Group Tuesday evening mid November Community Fire hall Neutral location 5 participants Vista Volunteer stayed Student request Confidentiality concern Interjections Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

FG #2: Business Focus Group Following Thursday evening (November) Students arrived early Conversation with Vista Volunteer Focus group questions shared with office staff 4 Business leaders attended School board member Concerns about the Focus Group Strained conversations Vista Volunteer and School Board Member Argumentative Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Ethical Dilemmas What were the ethical dilemmas? Students Instructor Superintendent Focus group participants Vista volunteer School board What should be included it the portfolio? Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Role Episodic Model of Ethical Dilemmas Antecedents Process Consequences Role of the Change Agents (students) Role Episode Ethical Dilemmas Role conflict with Vista volunteer Role uncertainty students Vista Volunteer: Misrepresentation of project Misuse of Data Coercion Value & goal conflict Values, Goals, Needs Skills/Abilities Role of the Client system (Vista Volunteer & Superintendent) Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu Adapted with permission :Kluwer Academic publishers, Journal of Business ethics 11(1992): 665, Ethical Dilemmas in

Post Focus Group Students concerns Reviewed Affiliation Agreement Protection of student work Ethical Guidelines for OD and HSD consultants Learnings for students and class Vista Volunteer Instructor coaching session Superintendent contacted Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Client Portfolio Meeting Students deliverable- client portfolio Environmental Scan Focus Group data analysis Portfolio Recommendations School Board Engagement Communication Transparency Ethics/Confidentiality training Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Recommendations for Client Leverage School Board relationship Community communication Collaboration & partnership on projects Focus on Community-School Relationship Clear, concise, & comprehensive Information Inform the Community Town Hall Meetings Newsletter Improvements to the School District Website Previous recommendation Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Recommendations… Random selection for participant selection Focus Groups Community Forums Third Party involvement Coordination and management Invitations Correspondence Location Minimal background noise Confidentiality Ethical standards Ethics/Confidentiality training for staff Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

Epilogue Student presentation & portfolio Vista Volunteer interruptions Instructor present Complaint list Vista Volunteer (Dec. 2011) Assigned students Graduate course instruction Conversation with Department of Public Instruction (DPI) Boundary awareness and limits Roles and Responsibilities (Vista Volunteers) Training and role definition Performance evaluation process Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu

References Cummings, C.G. & Worley, C. G. (2008). The organization development professional. In Organization Development & Change. 9th edition, (46-73). Mason, OH: South-Western Cengage Learning. White, L.P. & Rhodeback, M.J. (1992). Ethical Dilemmas in Organization Development. Journal of Business Ethics, 11 (9), 663-670. University of Wisconsin Stout Guidelines for In Class Projects http://www.uwstout.edu/rs/classprojects.cfm Dr. Jeanette Kersten College of Management Inspiring Innovation. Learn more at www.uwstout.edu