2010-2011 Café Conversations
The leadership of the Oglesby Union strongly believes that “informal opportunities such as cookouts, dinner, luncheons, and recreational events can be beneficial in developing a sense of staff cohesion and working as a team (Bryan & Schwartz, 1998, p.95.)” and has continued to support one such opportunity, Café Conversations. The Café Conversations program is one of the most successful and enduring professional development initiatives of the Oglesby Union. The ACUI Core Competencies guide the selection of Café Conversation topics as well as staff feedback and interests. Café Conversations are held approximately once a month and provide an opportunity for staff to learn about programs and services offered by the university and in the community. Staff members are able to relax and enjoy lunch while having meaningful conversations with each other. Café Conversations highlight programs and services within the university community while also giving staff time to have meaningful discussions about their work outside of their office. The monthly program gives staff the tools to better serve students by educating them on resources available both on and off campus. Below is the summary schedule for Café Conversations held during the 2010-2011 academic year. Date
Speakers & Organizations Audrey Mathews & Sandi M. Anderson FSU Human Resources
Caterer & Cost Jimmy Johns Food: $148.23 Drinks: $51.00
Communication
“The Village Square” on the Model of Community Engagement & Civic Decision-making
Liz Joyner The Village Square
Beef O’ Brady’s Food: $239.90 Drinks: $26.00
Planning
Implementing the “TRUE Seminole Tailgate”
Courtney Barry, Amy Magnuson, Jessi McPherrin & Alan Acosta FSU Division of Student Affairs
Fire House Subs Food: $229.00 Drinks: $22.00
11/9/10
Student Learning
“Club Stroz”: Creating the Learning Environment Students Want
Suzanne Byke Strozier Library
12/1/10
Leadership
Living United: Why Your Contribution Matters
Millie Smith United Way of the Big Bend
Facilities Management
Ruby Gets A Facelift: Tour of the Renovated Ruby Diamond Concert Hall
Steve Macqueen & Susan Carnes FSU College of Music
Marketing
How Can We Get Involved?
Karen Ellis Springtime Tallahassee
Fiscal Management
Using Your P-card
Nancy Milburn FSU Purchasing Department
Roly Poly Food: $107.25 Drinks: $11.00 Aramark Desserts Food: $ 113.00 Drinks: $105.00 Chili’s Food: $216.00 Drinks: $15.00 Tropical Smoothies Food: $262.15 Drinks: $16.00 Fire House Subs Food: $242.90
Total Cost
$ 1,804.43
8/25/10
9/4/10
10/19/10
1/19/11
2/17/11 4/28/11
ACUI Competencies
Presentations
Intercultural Proficiency
Diversity In the Workplace
At the conclusion of each Café Conversation we distribute a short satisfaction survey to those in attendance. For the Café Conversations held in Fall 2011 and Spring 2011 we’ve had a response rate of 83% of those in attendance completing the survey. The survey asks participants to rate the speaker, the importance of the topic, and how it relates to their job responsibilities. Recommendations of topics for future Café Conversations are also requested in the survey. Please Indicate the Degree To Which You Agree With the Following Statements 90 80 70 60 50 40 30 20 10 0
Stongly Agree Agree Disagree Strongly Disagree The Topic Was Informative
The Session I will use the Ideas Overall, My Enhanced My and Techniques In Personal Objectives Knowledge of the My Job For Attending CC Topic Were Met
In summary, we have an average of 22 staff members attend each Café Conversation session. The majority of the staff stated that the presentation have met their expectations in regards to enhancing their knowledge of the specific areas presented. Our staff members are very engaged and like to have ample time to ask questions and participate in the presentations and with the speakers. The Café Conversations are an enjoyable time for staff to connect with each other in a relaxed yet informative setting.