User:Rfs/Expectations

Formal phrasing

I am thinking we can formally phrase most expectation statements so that they are clearer and so that they are easily pulled and put into expectation documents, committee duties, job descriptions,

Sentence structure

By sticking to a common syntax, it will be easier to swap out words and short phrases and therefore be easier to discuss options towards building consensus around final wording.

[role] [auxiliary verb] [main verb phrase] [condition (optional)]

OR

[role] [auxiliary verb] [conditional main verb phrase]

Roles

Who does this expectation apply to?

• All staff collective members
• All committed non-collective members
• All staff members
• All members of the HR committee
• All coordinators of a department [1]
• All people who are scheduled to close the building
• All nonprofit apprentices
• etc.

[1] (need a formal list of departments)

Auxiliary verbs

If we operate on the principle that we want to identify the mandatory items and any prohibited items (hopefully a small set), then we can say that anything not prohibited is allowed.

• mostly use these ones:
  • must
  • will/shall
  • should

In some cases we may want to specifically allow certain things. This should only need to happen when people believe things that are actually allowed implicitly (see above) are disallowed. By explicitly saying these items are allowed, we might clear up that confusion. However, if we list all the items that are allowed it would be a very long and unmanageable list.

• sparingly use these ones:
  • may
  • can/could

In a few cases (confidential personnel data, some strategic business decisions, some topics necessarily covered by attorney-client privilege) there will be groups of people who are not allowed to participate in certain activities. These need to be spelled out so it's clear.

• seldomly use these:
  • may not/must not
  • should not
  • won't/shall not
  • can't/couldn't

Main verb phrase

These can be mined from current expectation documents, job descriptions, and people's head.

Conditions

• in a professional manner

Conditional main verb phrase

(these can be linked with AND or OR)

• demonstrate a willingness to learn about ...
• have experience with ...
• have academic training in ...
• demonstrate an understanding of best practices regarding ...
• honestly try to ...
• show a basic understanding of ...
• etc.

Expectations Document

This is the current expectations document, re-ordered with extra stuff added.

Exercise: Rewrite all these in the above structured way. Make multiple versions of the same phrase if you're not sure what people agree on.

General Good Worker Expectations

• Honors and helps implement decisions made by the group
• All collective workers are required to report all the hours that they work.
• demonstrated ability to act on behalf of the interests of the whole organization
• Puts the interests of Free Geek before personal interests while working.
• Communicates effectively (i.e. specific communication with other staff/core concerning needs of his/her area, giving and receiving constructive criticism, communicating directly to solve conflict, offering a safe space to communicate if issues arise.)
• Appropriately uses the standard tools Free Geek has available to do her/his job. (These tools might include email lists, RT, the wiki, bulletin boards, etc.)
• Has basic computer knowledge (use of web browser, email and word processor, database and spreadsheet).
• Is able to work in an informal environment with a diverse staff while maintaining a positive attitude even in the face of adversity.
• Is able to remain flexible as Free Geek grows and changes.
• Is able to work well under stress in an unusual, somewhat chaotic setting while being courteous and friendly.
• Is self-motivated and able to multi-task (i.e., can supervise, organize and maintain an area and work on other projects almost entirely without supervision) but not afraid to ask questions.
• Is aware of safety on the job.
• Must set goals, have a job description and participate in a peer review process.
• Treats co-workers and volunteers with courtesy and respect (i.e., arrive on time or call if going to be late, be efficient and make good use of time, use the phone, socialize and take breaks at appropriate times).

Volunteer Management / Coordination

• Leaves volunteer-inhabited areas clean and ready for next shift.
• Makes volunteers and donors feel welcome, actively reaches out.
• Actively involves volunteers in appropriate projects.
• Listens to volunteers/donors and tries to meet their needs.
• Is a volunteer coordinator.
• Is patient and courteous with the public.
• Is able to work with and coordinate volunteers with a wide range of skills and experience.

Sharing the Load

• Actively participates in meetings.
• Is a reliable member of at least two standing committees, including the committee which most directly pertains to his/her job.
• Accurately assesses her/his own abilities and constraints when taking on commitments.
• Follows through with commitments.
• Contributes to other areas of Free Geek.
• Integrates into the whole of Free Geek.
• Participates in collective management structure.
• Participates in a consensus decision making process related to staff and policy issues.
• Shares in tackling the undesirable tasks.

Confidentiality

• Guardianship and management of confidential data, including
  • data collected on people and organizations: names, addresses, other contact information (including credit card numbers, etc.)
  • personnel information: staff review and staff discipline information, volunteer issues
  • strategic business information: non-disclosable information from business partners, strategic information about Free Geek's plans that could be jeopardized if made public

Management and Coordination

of the organization

• understands what decisions are made in which forums
• understands Free Geek's mission and principles, including current interpretations and the current state of dialog in the community around these interpretations
• participates in developing Free Geek's vision statement in a timely manner
• participates in developing Free Geek's objectives in a timely manner
• helps maintain policy and procedure documents to reflect Free Geek's mission, principles, vision, and objectives

of an area

• demonstrates an ability to:
  • develop a strategic plan for an area,
  • organize Free Geek's resources toward implementing that plan,
  • checking progress on that plan,
  • analyze staffing needs and lead the hiring for the area,
  • prioritize what day to day tasks take priority for the area,
• builds consensus around decisions inside the department
• take into account other areas' and departments' needs and include them as appropriate

of other staff

• honestly and directly communicates to other staff members when they are not meeting agreed upon expectations
• participate in and manage the review process
• participate in and manage hiring process
• participate in and manage discipline process, including terminations as needed