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Tracy Smyth

Port Alberni, BC
LinkedIn Profile
tracy.smyth@shaw.ca

Tammy Dewar

Port Alberni, BC

LinkedIn Profile

tammydewar@shaw.ca

The MDI is such a rich and useful tool and, as independent consultants and collaborative authors, we were thrilled when HELP asked us to design a group process to specifically support MDI users to go from seeing the data to engaging in action. The intent for this project was to create a set concrete “inquiry” type resources that could be used by both schools and communities – the MDI Making Change Process.

What value does the MDI bring to your school, district, or community?

The MDI (similarly for any HELP data) has sparked generative conversations, built bridges between community partners and helped to focus efforts towards action that makes a difference and can be measured. We have seen first hand how groups that use the MDI begin to better understand their community, recognize the role they play in a bigger picture for children, and ask better questions about issues to make informed decisions.

Some people are data hungry and jump right in to the MDI results; some feel overwhelmed; others use it to focus in on problems, others on possibility. When you were building the Making Change process, how did you envision an ideal relationship with MDI data?

There are definitely distinct stages in a relationship with data that groups go through. Some stages are easier and less messy – but it’s the entire journey (so to speak) of exploring, making meaning, developing ideas and getting to action that became the MDI Making Change Workshop process. We designed the agenda and tools to help people work both with the data and with one another to move from exploration to action. The relationship with data we envision works well is one that is guided by an intentional process (activity flow and meeting materials) that makes time and space to surface the diverse reactions that people experience (concern, excitement, celebration, curiosity, confusion etc.). The process will help people understand their reactions and move through any messy or unhelpful reactions to arrive at the point where people can learn together and move forward productively. Fostering a relationship with MDI data means it is less about “presenting” data and more about digesting and experiencing it deeply and then using it to inspire action that supports well-being in the middle years.

In your role, what opportunities do you have to create change?

While the MDI provides for student voice, it also allows for teachers to engage and reflect on student responses. This can be a powerful motivator for creative change. As a district leader it is important to ensure that student voices are heard, and that what they are telling us causes reflection and refinement of our practice in a proactive, nonevaluative manner. In this way dimensions of strength can be celebrated while others are met with energy and plans to improve.

Group collaboration can be challenging. What do you see as some of the essential ingredients in any well-functioning group looking at using MDI data to make change?

As community developers, facilitators and community change agents, we wrote the book Raising the Village together almost a decade ago. The key ingredients for effective group collaboration highlighted in the book are still relevant today (though we continue to evolve, learn and find innovative ways to enhance these elements). Relationships and shared leadership are key to a group making change. When schools and communities integrate the following approaches into their work together, they will experience more collaborative success and be well positioned to make a difference for children, youth and families:

  • Explore the issues without getting stuck in a problem mindset. Shift to a solution, strength-based and systems focus.

  • Listen to stakeholders (this means listen to kids, community partners, all members of a team etc). Find out what makes what the MDI measures relevant.

  • Balance process and action. Know that there are always people in a group that are thinkers and others that are “do-ers” (and everything in between). Leverage all of their strengths to move forward.

  • Complement data with stories and lived experiences in order to foster both personal and collective connections.

  • Learn from one another: share wisdom.

  • Unearth assumptions, biases, and blind spots regularly.

  • Seek diversity in thinking and encourage questions.

  • Get clear on your purpose and check in regularly to evaluate your efforts.

These approaches are “baked” right into the workshops. We believe that in order to mobilize a group, school or community, we must consider the interactions (essentially your meetings) as a leverage point to spark, nurture and sustain collaborative action. Meetings are the intersections from which changed behaviours, priorities, information and enthusiasm can ripple out to have a wider effect. Good meeting processes will ensure that actions or projects are executed with a high degree of buy-in that will impact and sustain practices.

What are some effective strategies you’ve seen or used to help people feel comfortable to facilitate or host data dialogues?

At Ready to Raise we believe in making every meeting a movement! We’ve spent the last decade learning and then teaching how to facilitate “Making Change” type conversations. We’ve broken up the tips into what to do before, during and after your MDI Making Change workshop. Hopefully this information will give you and your school or community the nudge to take the leap and go for it! You don’t have to be an MDI expert to host a data dialogue. The Making Change materials uses a strength based approach that is accessible, powerful and productive… yet simple for anyone to lead.

 

BEFORE THE MAKING CHANGE WORKSHOP

  • Find some backup! Foster partnerships from the start and enlist a colleague to be your co-host! This is a great way to share the leadership and set the stage for collaborative action.
  • Choose a meeting space that is different and one that will promote interaction (how much space is there to move, what is the lighting like, etc).
  • Share the MDI data ahead of time, give a clear agenda and distribute any background information ahead of time.
  • Prepare and Adapt: Read over the Making Change agenda’s and facilitator guides and PPT’s (if using). Adapt your meeting process for your facilitation style and your audience. Edit presentation and meeting templates to suit your strengths and your group. Reflect your community by including stories from your schools, your community, and your kids to help the process become the catalyst for local change.

DURING THE WORKSHOP

  • Greet people as they arrive. Promote an interactive environment by helping people feel welcomed. Informally do some personal introductions and connections before things officially get started.
  • Read the energy in the room and adjust the process accordingly. If you notice a restless, tired or distracted energy – take a break or invite people to stand for a stretch. Include Food!
  • Consider technology usage: PowerPoint slides can help you stay on track, guide the process forward and ensure that activity instructions are clear. But you can also facilitate this Making Change process with NO technology. If you go low tech, try writing up the agenda and key activity instructions on a whiteboard or flipchart to help the process unfold with ease and to give participants a visual element to support the flow

AFTER THE WORKSHOP

  • Share a summary of the meeting in a timely fashion while it’s fresh in people’s minds and provide any follow up links or materials.
  • Invite meeting feedback and learn more about what is resonating with people, what else people need to feel engaged in this, and what “next steps” they might be interested in by emailing a simple meeting survey.
Resources from Tracy & Tammy

PDF
Action Planning Workbook

Created: April 1, 2018

This Action Planning Workbook provides creative exercises to help you and your collaborators develop you plans. Your team can use this workbook to start turning great ideas into a more structured plan.

Download PDF

PDF
Workshop One

Exploring Data

Created: April 1, 2018

This is the facilitation guide for Workshop One, Exploring Data, which is designed to help you begin the conversation about the strengths, challenges, and opportunities revealed by your local MDI data. 

Download PDF

PPT

Workshop One

Exploring Data

Created: April 1, 2018

These are the companion slides for Workshop One, Exploring Data, which is designed to help you begin the conversation about the strengths, challenges, and opportunities revealed by your local MDI data.

Download PPT

PDF
Workshop Two

Developing Ideas

Created: April 1, 2018

This is the facilitation guide for Workshop Two, Developing Ideas, which is designed to help you form action teams to focus your efforts and choose your first steps to positively shift environments, relationships, and skill-building opportunities for children.

Download PDF

PPT
Workshop Two

Developing Ideas

Created: April 1, 2018

These are the companion slides for Workshop Two, Developing Ideas, which is designed to help you form action teams to focus your efforts and choose your first steps to positively shift environments, relationships, and skill-building opportunities for children.

Download PPT

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