October 20/95

Staff Career Development

Organizational restructuring, the impact of computer
technology, the demands placed on the education
system as a whole — this is indeed a time of change
and challenge for the College and its employees.

It is also a very exciting time for the Staff Career
Development Committee, as we work toward meeting
the career development needs of staff in a changing
work environment.

We’re heading into a new era, and you’re invited to
play an important role. We are actively seeking new
members to fill openings on the committee. The
chair’s position, which provides an annual total of 175
hours of release time, will also be vacant as of
December 31.

If you are interested in the important role this
committee plays within the College, or know of
someone who would be a valuable asset to the
committee, please contact any of the current
committee members.

Some frequently asked questions about committee
involvement:

I’ve never served on a committee before. How do I
know I’m the right person for the role?

No previous committee experience is required, only a
genuine interest in creating career development
opportunities for staff at the College.

I would like to be involved, but I’m not sure that I
would find support in my area in view of the
demands of my day-to-day work. What time
commitment is required?

The committee usually meets once a month, for one or
two hours. As workshops or other major events arise,
the level of activity may increase, but everyone on the
committee pitches in to get the job done.

This is a College committee, consisting entirely of
staff who are authorized to conduct committee
business during regular business hours. Your role as a
member of this committee is as important as the role
of any employee on any other College committee, and
is recognized as such by the College.

What’s in it for me?

Ask any committee member, past or present. Without
a doubt, there is great reward from involvement on the
Staff Career Development Committee. Challenge
yourself, go beyond the scope of your current position;
see your ideas in action; acquire new marketable skills
in working with others, managing projects and budgets,
public speaking, organizing and running meetings, and
much more; work with others who share common goals
and like to have fun while achieving them.

For more information, contact Elin Brnjac, Kathy
Chute, Jane Hamilton, Val Lautenschlager, Wendy
Weberg, or committee chair David DeMuynck.

IN CASE YOU HAVEN'T HEARD...

A report prepared earlier this year by Doug Jardine and
Alan Smith formed the basis of a new strategic plan for
Capilano College. This thought-provoking document
focused on trends, events and emerging issues that will
affect the future of the institution.

Although a memo dated Aug. 4 from College president
Greg Lee invited each administrator to discuss the docu-
ment with their area of responsibility, many staff mem-
bers report that it was not brought to their attention.

A few staff members who did have the opportunity to
read the report raised important questions regarding
references to “recognition of the age of the College’s
workforce and attention to the need for a new
generation of employees,” and “cross-training of
employees so that they may work in the College at large
rather than being limited to a narrowly defined job in a
specific area of the College.”

The most recent draft of the plan was posted to the
Delphi bulletin board by Greg Lee. If you do not have
electronic access to this document, request a copy from
any administrator or a host of other sources on campus.
Comments and suggestions should be forwarded to
members of the Educational Council.

Your views count, so do not let this important
opportunity pass by.

@nformer