Three things I learned this week*
*actually last week but indulge me…
Voting among the current Exec Committee in the LGcomms election for Chair for next year is now underway and I’ve been listening to existing members’ views on the organisation and on priorities going forward.
It’s been a great experience. The thinking and the ideas have been impressive and enlightening.
I said I would feed them back, so that regardless of the election result, the next Exec Committee could take them on board.
Here goes.
1. Peer-to-peer support and working. More please.
To use a rugby analogy, LGcomms has had a strong ‘tight five’, our elected exec committee member ‘pack’ who have picked up most of the decision making, tasks and tasking. Now, we need to play a more expansive game involving the whole exec committee team – there’s definitely an appetite for more exec members to play a more active role in activities, support peer-to-peer activity, including problem solving, and play a more active role in general. More delegation, but more support
2. Help us lead and influence in our own spaces.
Life is local and while we are UK-wide in our representation (or should be), we need to remember the importance of building from the bottom up across our nationals and regions. So the ask here is pretty simple – support us better to be effective in our place, with our partners and neighbours, so that we can build the collaborative networks of practice we can all benefit from.
3. Asking for more is fine, but be realistic, and help us to do a good job
A really valid, relevant challenge. My vision for the new exec is for a collaborative, cohesive group who support each other, challenge each other, and work for each other and the membership.
At the same time, we are all human, super-busy in our roles, and with only so many hours in the day to offer. That’s understood. An exec role is a commitment above and beyond the norm. I want LGcomms to help make you, not break you. So, you put the time and effort in, we’ll collectively put the support in.
