Good morning, everyone! I'm R.J. from Glenbrook HSD 225 in Glenview/Northbrook, and currently the Asst. Superintendent/Business Services. Favorite cartoon? The ORIGINAL TMNT! #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
Good morning, everyone! I'm R.J. from Glenbrook HSD 225 in Glenview/Northbrook, and currently the Asst. Superintendent/Business Services. Favorite cartoon? The ORIGINAL TMNT! #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
Hello friends! Dale Fisher. Assistant Supt for HR in Deerfield, IL. Favorite cartoon as a child? The one and only Scooby Doo. I would gladly watch that cartoon right now. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A1: I would have the best listener I could find. An individual that has demonstrated the talent of listening, processing, and discussing. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A1: I have worked with a number of forthright, honest, and respectful colleagues who always acted in good faith. Anyone of those people could sit on our team and make a difference. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A2: (1) Personalty (2) Ability to Listen (3) Solution Finder (4) Team Player (5) Specialist in their Content Area - - - I do not think it is as much about balance, as having a robust team that comes together with a common goal #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A2: A good team member is someone who understands what the goals of the Board. Keeping this in mind helps with the "why" of negotiations. Ideally, this would include various stakeholders who understand the vision of the District. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A2 Characteristics of a good team member: Informed, good listener, creative, ethical, persuasive and respectful. I think you have to assess the individuals for ‘balance’ which includes these traits but also experience, expertise and availability. #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A2: We need people who are creative thinkers, respectful, fair, patient, & collaborative. Must have an understanding among the team that we all bring different strengths to the table. We must work with each other & the other party to settle a fair contract. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A2: We need respectful, empathetic, patient, fair, and quality listeners at the table. It's impossible to put a team together where everyone is a "10" in these areas. Identify team members who excel in areas others don't. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
Just saying hi to my HR and Finance pals - some deadlines keeping me from the twin chat this morning. Will follow up with the archives! #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A2: Characteristic of a good negotiations team member...
That balance of GRACE AND TRUTH. Personally, I'm trying to work on being slower to speak and quick to listen, and really admire those who are good at this...
#IASPAchat
Q3 Although I have not been formally trained in interest-based or experienced in it's pure form, I believe in the concept of clarifying interests and working together to find ways to meet them. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
Q3 #IASPAchat#EdFinChat I prefer a hybrid IBB model, which uses the IBB principles and the traditional process for some topics (e.g.,language). The key for me is to be able to talk through interests, issues, topics rather than being positional.
A3: As I've only sat through one negotiations and walked through different scenarios in CSBO classes, I would lean towards interest-based. I believe this process may lead to more collaborative outcome, which is better for everyone. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A3: My experience with interest based bargaining is limited although I would love an opportunity to work within this paradigm. The idea that all sides work to develop agreements that satisfy common interests and balance opposing interests is very appealing. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A3 I think a hybrid of both is the best solution. When seeking common ground on cleaning up language or administrative tasks I feel the collaboration of #IBB is preferred. Traditional bargaining takes stage in negotiations around salary and benefits #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A3: I have experience w/ IBB & traditional, but I don't favor one over the other. I support any process that treats both parties with respect, is as concise as possible, where people feel heard, & treated fairly. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A2: Obviously, it is important that team members are viewed as trustworthy by the union. We've removed principals from the table to protect them and no BOE sit there either. This way all BOE get the same amount of information to avoid confusion. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A4: We start early, identify topics and assign to specific dates (so that we can all be prepared to discuss), and the schedule evolves from there. It is all about being prepared, and having data to support your story and options. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A4 Preparation is reading and understanding the current Collective Bargaining Agreement and MOUs in place, asking questions about issues that need to be resolved. (1 of 2) #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A4: I try to meet w/the president of the association to get a temperature check as to the process we'd like to use, number of participants on a team, & the topics outside of wages, duration, & insurance prior to bargaining. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A4: Negotiations come undone because one side doesn't listen, check, or take the time to either clarify what the other side is offering, or intensely understand what they themselves are offering. This requires a lot of listening, clarifying and checking. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A4: Scheduling, planning and preparation should start early, ideally continuous. Keeping a log of what changes are needed or wanted in the CBA long before bargaining starts. Most of the time issues are found with the CBA in the normal course of the day.
#EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A4: We start early, identify topics and assign to specific dates (so that we can all be prepared to discuss), and the schedule evolves from there. It is all about being prepared, and having data to support your story and options. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A4 Planning is identifying the issues and crafting solutions. Scheduling is being realistic and putting enough time into executing the plan. (2 of 2) #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
I serve as lead negotiator and our CFO is second in command. Our Supt sits in and is essentially a silent witness and then our Assist Supt for Curr takes notes. Everyone is free to chime in as items are discussed. #IASPAchat#edfinchat
A5: Both groups mutually agree on comparable districts for use throughout the process. It does not serve as the 'be all and end all', but helps further inform the discussion and creation of options. Goal is remain competitive and attractive to recruit/retain #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
It's also important to have your own team in line with a clear vision as to what you want to accomplish for the district. If your own team is fractured, you're sunk! #IASPAchat#edfinchat
A5: As basically a gopher for negotiations, I know its important to pull as much data as possible and then compare to other comparable districts. This data can support the goal of the board and point the bargaining team in the right direction. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A5 We use benchmarking and use of comparative information is important as it allows for commonality of discussion and data points at the table. (1 of 2) #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A5: My view is that adding data and comparables to the process helps to turn the elusive art of negotiating into a more predictable science. Do your homework! #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A5: We use comps data to provide a quantitative picture of what's occuring to try to reduce the emotionality of discussing compensation. We also utlize data to show what the district can afford based on CPI-PTELL & our annual budget. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A2: Since 2010 we've stopped having BOE members and an attorney at the table. Our attorney works with us behind the scene on language and such, but our union is much more open with just us at the table. #IASPAchat#edfinchat
A5 We get our data from research by reading other #CBAs, contacting other school districts directly or we use @Forecast5 surveys in their #5Sight platform (2 of 2) #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A6: Just as a classroom conversations evolve, so does the discussion at the table. It is healthy and OK to explore closely related issues - sometimes it helps to better explain the root concern. We stay focused within the realm by having a strong facilitator #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A6: We try to have upfront conversations about the scope prior to the first bargaining session begins. We also try to identify this in our 1st session as well. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A6 Having experienced leaders of both teams is important or having outside legal counsel to keep the subject matter to legitimate terms and conditions of employment. #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A7: Move past the chart paper, and create a Google Doc with all of the notes and links to resources. There is so much data that is discussed, one can easily get lost. Our documents are 20+ pages of great summary, resources, and Q&A. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A7: Negotiations and relationships go hand in hand. More win-win scenarios become realized when strong professional relationships between the parties are honored and honed. Always maintain a focus on improving relationships. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A7 I have learned that for all the planning that goes into negotiations, breakthroughs and successes often come in the final 'critical hour' and being creative is helpful and shows that you are bargaining in good faith #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A7: With my limited experience, I can say one thing I've learned is to find out the goal of the Board before showing them potential savings. They may get unrealistic expectations. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A7: How we behave during negotiations is indicative of the relationships outside of the process. We want to have strong relationships w/ our staff, so our communication must be respectful. Agree as a team to refrain from responding emotionally. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A6: We set "ground rules" with the union to start the process and simply remind them of that whenever they venture into that territory. Saying to them, "Hey folks, that's an inherent Board right...we cannot go there," often does the trick. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A8: Spend time as a team to agree on how you will work together. Agree on parameters and how you will also work with the other party. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A8 Planning, planning and more planning. Being prepared shows that we take the negotiation seriously, makes us look professional and sets the tone for the rest of the negotiation #IASPAChat#EdFinChat
A8: I think it is best in the first meeting to set the ground rules and guidelines for the meetings.
Reaffirm that everyone has the same goal, doing what's best for the District, which is what's best for the students. #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
A8: Do your homework. See the viewpoints from all angles. Try to understand where the other party is coming from. Clearly define your goals and be knowledgeable of their goals. Understand timing. Practice the ability to listen, listen, and listen some more. #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
A7: Small tip here...we've convinced our union to bargain "outside" the contractual work day. We agree to provide food/beverages during our sessions. There's something about "breaking bread" together that helps the process...much cheaper than sub costs too! #IASPAchat#EdFinChat
Thanks to everyone who joined us this morning and to those checking the archives! For those checking the archives, post your responses so we can learn from you too.
Thanks to @DaleFisherEdD and @Mschroeder6! #EdFinChat#IASPAchat
