1. Hunger, Overweight & Food Insecurity Robin A. Orr, Ph.D. University of Illinois Extension Food Science & Human Nutrition

2. Systems thinking Effective systems thinking is required for leading in today’s world We can use systems processes to address the issues of hunger, food insecurity and overweight/obesity Start by drawing a picture of the organization of which you are a part

3. We often think of organizations In terms of silos Did anyone draw a map? Did anyone draw communication or relationships between entities on their chart?

5. Systems thinking important Think in terms of: Processes Maps Relationships Be a systems thinker

7. What systems allows you to do When something goes wrong – hunger, food insecurity, overweight/obesity Must look at the larger world The larger system of which it is a part

8. Parts of a system Inputs Every element affects whole behavior Throughputs Parts are interdependent Outputs Every element affects whole behavior Feedback Parts are interdependent

9. World of systems Cannot control Maneuver Seek information Become aware of our assumptions Stay open to multiple perspectives

10. Assumptions about Hunger Put on flip chart

11. Assumptions about Food Insecurity Put on flip chart

12. Assumptions about overweight and obesity Put on flip chart

13. Question Assumptions Why 5 Whys

14. “The mere formulation of a problem is often far more essential than its solution. To raise new questions, new possibilities, to regard old problems from a new angle requires creative imagination….” Albert Einstein

15. Systems solving model Identify the opportunity or challenge Identify potential issues Prioritize issues Identify strategies to address each prioritized issue Develop Action Plans for key issues

16. What we won’t get Single solution Right answer Most problems do not have one right answer

17. Our challenge To devise plans for addressing issues of hunger, food insecurity and overweight/obesity Do we agree on this?

18. Okay – let’s go Write one issue on a post-it note Get a partner – share, combine, eliminate issues Get with another pair, repeat

19. Put all post-its on the wall

20. Are all the key issues identified What are we missing What do we not know that we need to know to move forward? How are we going to decide?

21. Decision-making processes Democratic – vote and a percentage agrees Consensus – all can support decision and agree to implement within their roles Modified consensus – decision reached when 80% can support and implement Which do you want to do?

22. Prioritize Based on importance of stakeholders Based on the ease or complexity of resolving the issue Based on the political environment Based on resources

23. VOTE N/3

24. Key strategies How do we approach each of the prioritized issues?

25. Action Plan Example 1 Example 2 Example 3

26. Accountability How will we measure our successes As a community As a region As a state As a nation