My name is Leslie Griffiths, and I have been an LCC coach since FY2017. I became an active member in SWE after I was offered an opportunity to attend a conference and I chose the SWE Conference in Kansas City. At this point, I was mid-career, but still I was hooked. I became active in my local section, however, I didn’t have all the background of what SWE offers for resources and what training was available to me with my membership.
Why is this important? As somebody who joined SWE mid-career, I am constantly learning about SWE. One of the most beneficial learning opportunities came early in my LCC role, when I was asked to help a section with their Vitality Self-Assessment (VSA). I learned that our section had been filling them each year, but as many sections do, it was primarily a small group of officers who completed the assessment. The section I was working with is a strong section, my section is a strong section, however, I still learned so much as the team took the time to have thoughtful discussions on each question. As we worked our way through the form, we shared best practices and talked about strengths and opportunities to improve the experience for members – even though this section was already doing really well. When we finished the VSA, we all commented on how easy it was going to be to pick one or two areas which could become goals and actions for the section.
I was also a first time President of my section, and I was so impressed with the productive conversation that occurred during my coaching session using the VSA, that I committed to have my section do the same exercise, inviting anybody from my section who wanted to participate. We then got the two sections together and had a shared discussion on the questions and answers each section had chosen and why. The conversation made a great impression on me – we were able to share best practices, talk about what did and didn’t work. We can all learn from each other!
It is not necessary to partner with another section to discuss VSA results, but consider it! Is there a section which is strong in an area that you have identified as an opportunity for improvement? If you identified an area your team would like to improve, check with your LCC Coach. LCC Coaches have many resources, as well as experiences coaching other sections, which may help you define specific actions your section can take to strengthen areas the VSA has identified as opportunities.
My final thoughts are to take the time to have a discussion with your section as you complete the VSA. Newer members, experienced members, members who are remote workers for their company, members with no Society level experience, Section Officers. Each member brings a different level of experience and needs and expectations of what they need from SWE. The VSA is a great opportunity to have the conversation, and as your section sets short and long term goals, a great tool to use annually to make sure your section goals are meeting the needs of your members.
Why is this important? As somebody who joined SWE mid-career, I am constantly learning about SWE. One of the most beneficial learning opportunities came early in my LCC role, when I was asked to help a section with their Vitality Self-Assessment (VSA). I learned that our section had been filling them each year, but as many sections do, it was primarily a small group of officers who completed the assessment. The section I was working with is a strong section, my section is a strong section, however, I still learned so much as the team took the time to have thoughtful discussions on each question. As we worked our way through the form, we shared best practices and talked about strengths and opportunities to improve the experience for members – even though this section was already doing really well. When we finished the VSA, we all commented on how easy it was going to be to pick one or two areas which could become goals and actions for the section.
I was also a first time President of my section, and I was so impressed with the productive conversation that occurred during my coaching session using the VSA, that I committed to have my section do the same exercise, inviting anybody from my section who wanted to participate. We then got the two sections together and had a shared discussion on the questions and answers each section had chosen and why. The conversation made a great impression on me – we were able to share best practices, talk about what did and didn’t work. We can all learn from each other!
It is not necessary to partner with another section to discuss VSA results, but consider it! Is there a section which is strong in an area that you have identified as an opportunity for improvement? If you identified an area your team would like to improve, check with your LCC Coach. LCC Coaches have many resources, as well as experiences coaching other sections, which may help you define specific actions your section can take to strengthen areas the VSA has identified as opportunities.
My final thoughts are to take the time to have a discussion with your section as you complete the VSA. Newer members, experienced members, members who are remote workers for their company, members with no Society level experience, Section Officers. Each member brings a different level of experience and needs and expectations of what they need from SWE. The VSA is a great opportunity to have the conversation, and as your section sets short and long term goals, a great tool to use annually to make sure your section goals are meeting the needs of your members.
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