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MCC
Toronto:
Our Transformation Continues
Updates from your MCCT Transformation Steering Committee (TSC)
December 2004
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August 2004 |
May 2004 |
January 2004
December 2004
- Update from Your Transformation
Steering Committee (TSC). My last update to you in August provided a
report on the work of your TSC, whose mandate it is to coordinate the
implementation of the changes arising out of the DNA work. At that
time, the new 'Decision Making Model' for MCC Toronto was communicated
for your review and input.
I am
pleased to provide you with updates on two additional areas of work
that have been recently completed - the first deals with the work of
the Communications Task Force and the second deals with Human
Resources.
The
Communication Task Force, led by Nanette Sanson, recently completed
its work. Her team, including Randy Besta, Ivan Canete, Suzanne
Christie, Susan Cluff, Louise Gauvreau and John Stephens, provided a
set of extensive recommendations to the TSC. Over time, this report
will serve as the blueprint for communications at MCC Toronto and some
priorities have already been presented to the Board for implementation
during 2005.
In the
area of Human Resources, the results of the 2004 Employee Survey were
presented to staff and to the Board of Directors. Employee commitment
was up by 28% over last year. This is great progress. In addition, a
new Board approved Performance Management Policy is currently being
implemented with staff, and the Board and TSC have endorsed a Human
Resources Strategy for MCC Toronto.
For
more details, visit the website at
www.mcctoronto.com
and click on
Transformation Steering Committee.
John
Vespa, Chairperson
August 2004
-
Update from Your
Transformation Steering Committee.
A couple of months
ago, an update was provided on the work of your Transformation
Steering Committee (TSC) whose mandate it is to coordinate the
implementation of the changes arising out of the DNA work.
The committee is continuing to work through organizational design
issues and hopes to soon recommend various design options that may be
introduced as part of a phased-in manner over time.
A new Decision Making Model for MCC
Toronto:
Part of the work of the
committee has been to review how decisions get made at MCC Toronto. I
am pleased to share with you today the recommended process for
decision-making going forward:
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Preamble:
Our future rests on the quality of our relationships. In
churches, relationships are enhanced or damaged, in large part, by
how decisions are made (and are perceived to be made) and
communicated. The purpose of this process and the resulting
communication will show that people are being heard.
Process:
1. A
problem/opportunity is recognized and defined.
2. Before
possible solutions are identified, we identify the following:
a.
Who has
responsibility and accountability for making the decision? Who is
to make the decision, is determined according to area of
responsibility or, if in doubt, by the directors, and
b.
Stakeholders – those who are impacted by a decision.
3. Stakeholders
are engaged in clarifying the problem/opportunity/issue.
Depending on the issue, the stakeholder will be involved (in order
of preferred option):
a.
In making
the decision;
b.
In giving
input and the decision is made as determined above;
c.
In
receiving the information.
4. Decisions
are ultimately made taking into account the input received, the
guiding documents of our Church, and how our relationships will be
enhanced.
5. Decisions,
along with their rationale, are to be communicated as widely as
possible in a timely fashion.
6. All
our staff and leaders will be trained regarding this
decision-making process.
As leaders, we
will consistently lead by example and will be open to challenges
if we are perceived not to be using this model. We will gently
yet firmly hold each other responsible to ensure we “walk the
talk”, and we will forgive each other when mistakes are made.
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You views and
input regarding this recommended approach are welcome. This process
may be further refined once the Communication Task Force reports back
on it’s findings and recommendations.
In Conclusion….
These updates are
meant to share our thinking, recommendations and achievements of
milestones as they occur. As always, your input is welcome and
encouraged. You may email us directly at
TSC@mcctoronto.com, or individually to any committee member:
John Vespa,
Chairperson
May
2004 - What has your
Transformation Steering Committee been up to?
At the beginning of the year, Brent kicked off the formation of the
new Transformation Steering Committee (TSC) whose mandate is to
coordinate the implementation of the changes arising out of the DNA
work.
As you recall, our congregation was largely involved in the creation
and development of the MCC Toronto Core
Values, Beliefs, Vision and Mission. A series of Ministry Mapping
meetings were then held over several weekends with a large number of
church leaders to develop foundational documents regarding ministry,
membership and program development.
Your TSC has been quite busy. First off we developed the “Desired
End States” which emerged from the DNA work and the TSC
consulted and sought input from the congregation on this work. Your
feedback was incorporated and the revised document
has been posted on this web site.
A project plan and change management methodology has been implemented
to coordinate the transition process. The Committee has formed
subcommittees to review and recommend back to the TSC ways in which to
implement the specific end states.
For example, a Communication Task Force is currently reviewing all
aspects of how communications are conducted at MCCT and will recommend
strategies going forward.
Decision making models, program development coaching, culture change
strategies and transitional human resources models have been discussed
and final recommendations will soon emerge.
Our most exciting work phase has recently started. Your TSC is looking
at organizational design options to deliver the MCC
Toronto end states. We are considering the views of many voices
in this phase of work, including Thomas Bandy, author of the DNA
model, staff of the church, our Senior Pastor, the Board of Directors
and the Rev. Elder Lillie Brock who is an Elder in our denomination as
well as an organizational design consultant. Lillie has consulted with
us from her home base in Texas but will be present working with us for
several days in Toronto during May.
Great things are happening. Keep us in your prayers was we strive to
become the church God wills us to be.
John Vespa, Chairperson
January 16, 2004 - You may have been wondering “So what happens
now that the DNA project is over?” On Sunday, January 4th,
2004, the Transformation Steering Committee was officially launched.
With this communication, the first from the Transformation Steering
Committee, we hope to answer some of your questions.
The
Transformation Steering Committee (TSC) has been formed to take the
work that came out of the DNA project – our Core Values, Beliefs,
Vision and Mission, as well as the work of the Ministry Mapping
weekends – and guide MCC Toronto through the transformation required
to become the church God wants us to be.
The
chair of the committee is John Vespa, an MCC Board member and former
DNA Project Team member. Other members include: Jan McColl, former
DNA Project Co-Chair, Jim Allen, Mark Warren, and Lori Boyce. Rev.
Dr. Brent Hawkes is a ‘non-voting’ member of the team as are staff
members Rev. Jo Bell, Director, Congregational Life and the Director
of Finance, Revenue and Administration (currently in transition).
To date,
the Committee has developed a set of 15 ‘end states’ that describe
what MCC Toronto will look like when we are the church that God wants
us to be. One of these end states is that, “We will have open and
regular communications characterized by full and timely disclosure,
opportunity for consultation and feedback, and consistency and
integration of message.” You can see the other
10 end states here.
Since
the TSC was formed in September, in addition to clarifying our mandate
and key priorities, we have held awareness sessions with MCC Team
Leaders and staff. We plan to communicate regularly through Sunday
News, the web site and in other ways, as we have information to share.
Over the
next few months we will be reviewing the work from the Ministry
Mapping Weekend and our Values, Beliefs, Vision, and Mission to
develop a set of guiding principles that will be used for all other
activities of the TSC. We will also be working with the Communications
Task Force to develop and implement a Communications Strategy for MCC
Toronto.
Stay
tuned! We welcome your feedback – feel free to contact any of us or
to send a comment, suggestion or questions to us at
TSC@mcctoronto.com |
