
The message we were trying to convey with this post is NOT that we should sit back and wait it out, but that is it insufficient to repeatedly deliver the renewal imperative without ever giving direction on how one can actually get involved.
The final statement of this column suggested that perhaps someone with the authority and the resources (i.e. the centre) should move to provide us with a public service wide Web 2.0 platform, as suggested in David Eaves Column (to which we linked).
We are already involved, in many of the informal renewal channels alluded to by the comments, however we have had to rally most of our efforts on our own accord, without the benefit of being pointed in the right direction. The simple example of the PS wide web 2.0 platform would be an easy way to draw in participation from people who want to participate but cannot find an avenue for their creative energy.
We hope this clarifies our column. Thanks for your feedback.]
Original Column Below:
Background
The Clerk’s deck closes with a slide on Key Public Service Renewal Messages, only one of which we want to touch on here. Specifically, the Clerk’s final point (our questions there to in parenthesis):
Communications and your engagement are key to renewal:
- Get Involved! (How? When? During NPSW?)
- Speak up! (Where? Can we be critical, or does that contravene PS values & ethics?)
- Make suggestions! (To whom?)
- Become part of renewal! (We want to, tell us how?)
- Be proud...you make a difference! (It doesn't feel that way to us... not yet.)
Tell Us How to Participate in the Renewal Process
If the Public Service wants to engage youth in the renewal process it needs to provide opportunities to participate and provide feedback, and it should be done in a manner that allows for both the productive use of the latest technologies and face-to-face interactions. Moreover, these opportunities need to be easy to find, properly resourced, and actively championed by Senior Management. That being said, engagement at all levels and across all demographics is important.
We think there is an opportunity here for strong leadership from the centre on creating a mechanism that would facilitate both communication and engagement – the key to renewal.