Back in July 2006 a lone HR Manager sat in her office reading her Kent Branch CIPD newsletter when an article on self-managed learning groups captured her interest. Working as a lone ranger with no other HR colleagues to talk to or learn from was very different to working in a large HR department where these things are taken for granted and she wondered whether the SML group might fill this gap. However at that point in time the closest group in existence was the Maidstone group which was just too far for a Thanetarian to travel!!! A phone call to the CIPD put this HR Manager in touch with the founding father of the SML movement – Brian Urwin who suggested she set up her own group and put her in touch with a fellow CIPD member to make this happen. That’s when Michelle Williams and Angela Brier Stephenson found themselves founding the East Kent SML Group.
The group was formed from HR, training and coaching professionals based in and around the Thanet area and at its height attracted 13 members who were regularly attending monthly breakfast meetings. The original meetings had a loose structure whereby a focus topic for discussion was agreed at each meeting for the next meeting which all group members contributed to. There was also an open session whereby group members could bring ‘live’ problems they were experiencing for discussion and advice from other group members. Group members took it in turns to minute meetings. Topics discussed ranged from Bullying and Harassment to Coaching and Mentoring.
Over time commitment to the original group waned with numbers attending the monthly meetings regularly failing to meet more than 5 and finally late in 2009 the group finally folded.
A couple of embers remained burning in the fire whom were disappointed the group had disbanded and who wanted to rekindle the group. So in March 2010 this small group met to discuss and if and how the group should be re launched. A lot of work went into structuring how a re-launched group would work including drafting detailed terms of reference and confidentiality agreements. In terms of timings of the group all of those involved in the re-launch agreed that the new group needed to be more efficient and deliver more bang for its buck especially in the current tight economic climate. This resulted in reducing the frequency of meetings from monthly to quarterly and giving the meetings a set structure whereby the first half of the meeting is a formal presentation on pre agreed topics, for example (an employment law update) and the second half of the meeting focusing on the more traditional ‘open session’ where group members can discuss and gain advice on any hot topics they may have. The aim of these changes was to give the group a more polished and professional feel which delivered greater value for time invested and was ultimately more marketable to new group members and that was the next challenge…
It was decided that group membership should be capped at 12 and that we would go out to market with our new group to attract in new membership. It was generally felt we should be more selective in our approach to the group membership focusing on those that could and would commit to full attendance at the meetings as well to what skills and knowledge they could bring. In May a group open day was held to tell interested parties about the new group and to sign up new members. This event was a great success and the new group is ready to go. The first meeting of the re launched group was held on the 15th July 2010.
Since then the group has had 3 further meetings in October 2011 and January and April of 2011 with a further meeting scheduled for July 2011. Commitment to the group seems to be much higher and the change to the structure of the meetings seems to have a delivered a better return on the time invested by group members. So the far the group have covered the following topics; Employment Law Update, Continuous Professional Development and an update on changes to the law on retirement age. Future topics to be covered by the group will include safe recruitment intelligence and employee coaching.
ASSOCIATE COACHING & MENTORING GROUP
We like to think of ourselves as a relatively young group (although sadly not in age). We first met in June 2011 – a diverse band of individuals with at least one thing in common – a strong interest (passion even) for coaching and mentoring. We are not coaching and mentoring specialists, but share a desire to develop our knowledge and skills in this area.
We meet monthly, usually on the last Thursday of the month, at K&C Hospital. We’ve organised sessions on specific topics (helped out by our sister group, the Kent Coaching Group) which have been great and we’ve worked together to review the national occupational standards for coaching and mentoring. We’re also excited to be supporting the Kent Coaching Group with an open coaching event on 18th April (a date for your diary).
However, just as valuable has been sharing our own experiences and learning, which has certainly helped with team bonding! If they wish members of the group can chair, minute or co-ordinate our meetings (‘though it’s not obligatory!) and we are just programming our meetings and topics for the next 12 months which should provide a blend of input and reflection.
Small but perfectly formed (well we think so), we welcome new members to swell our ranks (and experience). If you share our passion and would like to join us, please contact Christine Ustabas on 07717 303155 or e-mail her on Christine.ustabas@nhs.net.