Organizational Development, Equity, and Health

Developed by the Office of Sustainability in 2012, Green Spaces celebrates the efforts of offices and events that strive for sustainability. The program allows for three levels of certification (Bronze, Silver, and Green & Gold) in a process that encourages across campus to adopt sustainable practices in their work, school, and living environments. Participants sign up for the program and a leader within their organization is identified who guides the office or event planning through a series of sustainable actions. The actions are identified on an easy to use checklist that is customizable to the needs of the space or event itself. A Green Office is defined by the Office of Sustainability as a ‘work unit that has made a collective commitment to reducing resource use and improving the overall sustainability of their day to day operations.’ A Green Event is ‘an event of conference that incorporates multiple sustainable features into its delivery and attendees are encouraged...

The Following sessions are currently open for registration:   Pathways Learning Series   The following sessions are targeted for Support Staff as part of the Pathways Learning Series. Creative and Critical Thinking - REGISTER  Date(s): 6 May, 2013 Time: 1:00 to 4:30 Location: 1-38, University Terrace Fee: Free Audience: Open to all Support Staff as part of the Pathways Learning Series Facilitator: Organizational Learning and Effectiveness Dare to Discover 101 - REGISTER  Date(s): 15 May, 2013 Time: 8:30 to 4:00 Location: Glacier Room, Lister Conference Centre Fee: Free Audience: Open to all Support Staff as part of the Pathways Learning Series Facilitator: Organizational Learning and Effectiveness Maximizing Performance - REGISTER  Date(s): 22 May, 2013 Time: 8:30 to 12:00 Location: 1-38, University Terrace Fee: Free Audience: Open to all Support Staff as part of the Pathways Learning Series Facilitator: Organizational Learnin...

Each year Skillsoft honors clients for their work in corporate learning and development. The purpose of the awards program is to recognize innovative ideas, powerful programs and inspiring leaders who are helping to transform the corporate learning landscape by leveraging Skillsoft's products and services. The University of Alberta has been nominated this year for the Program of the Year for our Pathways Learning Series. The Pathways Learning Series was launched in January 2012, and is designed to empower support staff to develop and practice skills around seven core competencies: Demonstrating Organizational Citizenship  Communicating  Providing Service  Thriving as a Team Member  Being Adaptable and Flexible  Using Technology and Equipment  Demonstrating Professionalism  The program offers 19 face-to-face workshops and/or a series of online courses through Skillsoft. Our approach to designing and marketing the program caught the at...

The Following sessions are currently open for registration:   Pathways Learning Series   The following sessions are targeted for Support Staff as part of the Pathways Learning Series. Verbal Communication - REGISTER  Date(s): 4 March, 2013 Time: 1:00pm - 4:30pm Location: 1 - 38, University Terrace Fee: Free Facilitator: Organizational Learning and Effectiveness Personal Sides of Change and Transition - REGISTER  Date(s): 6 March, 2013 Time: 8:30 - 12:00 Location: 1 - 38, University Terrace Fee: Free Facilitator: Organizational Learning and Effectiveness Written Communication - REGISTER  Date(s): 13 March, 2013 Time: 8:30am - 12:00pm Location: 1-38, University Terrace Fee: Free Facilitator: Organizational Learning and Effectiveness Utilizing Technology & Equipment - REGISTER  Module 1 - Familiarizing and Finding the Tools I Need Module 2 - Building my Tools Set Date(s): 20 March, 2013 Time: 8:30am - 4:30pm Location: 1...

As leaders of change, transformation and personal development, it is only fitting that a significant portion of our programming is focused around self-awareness and behaviour. We know that personality and preferences do not define character or behaviour, but they do impact actions, mind sets, and how people view the world. One tool that OLE uses to enhance individual and team awareness and to support inclusive team processes and communication is the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). The indicator was developed by Katharine Briggs and her daughter, Isabel Briggs Myers, and based on theory originally proposed by Carl Jung. This Type Indicator tool relies on a series of questions designed to provide insight into individual personality preferences by categorizing and theming people’s choices into four areas of behaviour: E/I = Focus and direction of attention and energy, (where one prefers to focus to re-energize – from outside their person, or from within),  S/N = Ways peop...

On December 7, 2012 , OLE hosted the inaugural Pathways Gala.    The celebration of learning took place in our training room in University Terrace, which was decked out with luminaria-style Pathways bags and lanterns.     We invited close to 60 people who completed at least one Pathways course in three or more Paths, either online or at a face-to-face workshop.   The event included some yummy appetizers, a Pathways-inspired activity to encourage mingling, and a short recognition ceremony.    We were thrilled to present Certificates of Recognition to the following people who have completed courses: One of the attendees has not only completed all of the content, but has submitted her assessment guides for all six Paths!      We presented Sherron Becker with an HBC blanket and Pathways “patches” for each competency.    Sherron Becker and Cara Jones Finally, we introduced our Trail Guid...

Creative thinking is not just for inventors and artists, thinking creatively is about challenging assumptions, and making connections - a synthesis of ideas that often leads to something new. In a recent half-day Pathways session entitled Creativity and Critical Thinking , participants were introduced to a number of activities to help them practice creative and critical thinking. One of the activities included a challenge to the participants to come up with a strategy to advance one of the four cornerstones presented in Dare to Discover: A Vision for a Great University. Each table group selected two random objects from “Jim & Dale’s Box of Goodies”. The challenge was to use the objects as a catalyst for discussions, and to identify a target audience for their strategy on the assigned D2D theme. And what a lively discussion it was! It was a fun and challenging exercise that encouraged people to stretch their thinking boundaries. Tools introduced earlier in the session, suc...

On December 7, 2012 , OLE is proud to be co-hosting the inaugural Pathways GALA celebration of learning. Taking place in the atrium at Enterprise Square, we look forward to meeting the trail blazers of the Pathways Learning Series. This event will include a short recognition ceremony, several unique displays, music, tapas, and some surprises for participants.  Hope to see you there!!  

  OLE is proud to offer new assessment guides for staff and supervisors that will enable us to see how Pathways participants are "living their learning." Our hopes for the Pathways Assessment Guides : Learners may use these tools as a self-check to consider their strengths and areas for growth Supervisors may use these tools as a conversation and coaching guide for clarifying expectations and establishing developmental possibilities with both individuals and teams Learners are encouraged to submit completed guides to OLE for recognition and encouragement on personal and professional development UAlberta employees will be inspired to reflect on professional development and to celebrate learning! Please note: the assessment guides are available for all staff to complete without having participated in any of the Pathways Learning Series courses.   For more information about the Pathways Learning Series, please visit: www.hrs.ualberta.ca/en/Learning...

This exciting and new self-directed learning program allows you choose your own path to enhancing and advancing your career at the UofA. For more information, visit: www.hrs.ualberta.ca/learning/programs/pathways The launch of the Pathways Learning Series began January 16th, 2012. Throughout the first 3 months we held 13 information sessions with over 330 people attending. Informal feedback was very positive among participants (who represented Support Staff, APOs and Supervisors). In February we introduced the first competency -  Organizational Citizenship . We held the first 2 of 19 brand new face-to face sessions and evaluations showed that 90% of participants would “apply this education and experience within their work." One participant commented, “It was an effective experience that I will carry with me to help be a better citizen and leader at the UofA. THANKS!”  In March we featured the  Communication  competency with 3 more courses...