This is It... The End.

Crazy.  Hectic.  Busy.  Determined.  Overwhelmed. 

These are all symptoms of a certain epidemic called… the end of the semester.  (And I am definitely feeling all of them!!!!)

However… this is also how an organization can feel when they are getting nowhere.  After meeting with Gary, Reggie, Tim, and Kathy individually, we found that they all want the same thing – to work together in an effort to increase Clemson’s sustainability efforts.  The issue is knowing where to start.

The reason why is unclear – perhaps one of the reasons is because everyone has busy schedules within their own organizations and prioritizing meetings with other organizations on top of established meetings within the organization is too much.

In our plan for Gary, we felt that it was important to state that he should attend already-scheduled meetings.  If he was presenting, his presentation could be added to the formal agenda of the meeting.  He could also simply listen to what others have to say.  Within six months of attending meetings, Gary, Tim, Reggie, and/or Kathy should meet to discuss what is being implemented well and what could be better.  Education about sustainability is important and that should be measured through some capacity.

After the six month meeting, we suggest that Gary continue to meet regularly with the other organizations.  After a year, another “maintenance” meeting should be held to make sure that everyone is headed in the same direction.

Ideally, Gary would be able to eventually have funding in order to help the other organizations with small sustainable projects.  We believe that the committed communication, open dialogue, regular meetings, and maintenance meetings could make this a possibility.

I have enjoyed this project and look forward to presenting Gary our ideas.  Senge’s The Fifth Discipline Fieldbook has helped me look at organizational communication in an understandable and relatable way.

 

 

 

 

 

ashton