This year’s exchange program will take place at McGill University, Montreal from October 31 to November 3, 2019. It includes professional development opportunities and the chance to network with peers from UM. Celebrating its 21^st year, the learning exchange is coordinated by the Support Staff Endowment Fund Committee and Learning and Organizational Development, Human Resources.

The Participants will fly to Montreal; flight and program costs will total approximately $1,200 per person. Activities include spending a day at McGill University with host counter parts and learning about McGill University systems and processes, UM scheduled activities to promote professional networking with members of the UM community, and attending a McGill sporting event.

Applications are now available on the Support Staff Endowment Fund website. The deadline for applications is June 21, 2019.

Applications will be considered if you:

• Have the support of your department/faculty to cover the cost of your learning exchange (approx. $1,200);
• Are a University of Manitoba full time support staff member in a continuing position;
• Are looking to enhance the effectiveness of the service in your area by learning about McGill University systems and processes;
• Are interested in increasing your professional network both with counter parts at McGill University, and with members of the University of Manitoba community.

Applications for the Support Staff Learning Exchange can be downloaded from the support staff endowment fund website. If you have additional questions please contact Lynn Bohonos, learning and organizational development, human resources, at SSLEapplication [at] umanitoba [dot] ca

Did you know the Support Staff Endowment Fund also organizes day trips? Visit the support staff endowment fund website to learn about upcoming excursions.

If you are unsure, you are not alone, says Arlana Vadnais, employee wellness specialist at the U of M. That is why the Responding to Sexual Violence Disclosures workshops were created for staff and faculty.

“People may feel unsure of how to respond when finding out about an incident of sexual violence, and as a result, may unintentionally not be as helpful or supportive as the person disclosing needs,” says Vadnais.

“This workshop is offered with the intent of building a community committed to supporting individuals who disclose and building a culture of safety, respect and consent,” she adds.

The next workshop takes place Feb. 26 and is offered through Learning & Organizational Development. There are another three sessions offered this term, on both campuses.  Workshops on Fort Garry campus are led by Carly Moffat from Student Residences, with contributions from the university’s offices of health and wellness, student support and human rights and conflict management. Bannatyne campus sessions are led by Leah Deane, from Student Services at Bannatyne campus.

Initially created by U of M’s Sexual Assault and Violence Steering Committee (SAVSC), the workshop is ideal for those in front-line positions who are most likely to receive direct disclosures from either students or staff. That said, there is no limit to who could be faced with a situation in which someone discloses sexual violence.

“Any of us could be in a position to receive a disclosure of sexual violence at any time, whether it be from a student or from a colleague,” explains Heather Morris, Director of Student Advocacy and Case Management and member of the Responding to Sexual Violence Disclosures presenting team.

“For someone who has disclosed an experience of sexual violence, the response they receive is extremely important in helping them move forward in a positive way, but could potentially re-traumatize them if the response is not respectful and supportive. Our hope is that by attending these workshops, staff and faculty will have confidence to respond in an appropriate way and help us create a climate of support for survivors of sexual violence,” says Morris.

Designed to give staff and faculty the knowledge and skills to respond to disclosures in a compassionate way, consult for support and refer effectively, the workshop will walk participants through the key elements and guidelines to responding to a sexual assault disclosure and reviews the current sexual assault policy on campus.

It also includes an interactive portion, based on example scenarios, to allow participants the opportunity for observation, feedback and practise.

Before attending this course, participants are asked to read through the Helping Someone Who Has Experienced Sexual Violence information packet.  The focus of this workshop is on responding to disclosures and not on the process of filing a formal complaint or report.

Staff, faculty and student staff members can sign up for the workshops though LOD.

Note that certain groups (e.g. managers) have additional steps they must comply with, regarding policy, responsibility and legality.

Student groups interested in similar training can contact the Health and Wellness Educator, Britt Harvey

The University of Manitoba is committed to being a safe place for people to disclose experiences of sexual violence and to receive effective support and referrals.

Do you want to learn from University of Saskatchewan staff who are in similar roles as you? Exchange ideas and talk about best practices when working with students, colleagues and the wider campus community?

Consider applying to the Support Staff Learning Exchange (SSLE) program, which includes professional development opportunities and the chance to network with peers from U of M. Celebrating its 20^th year, the program is coordinated by the support staff endowment fund committee and learning and organizational development, human resources.

From October 18 to 21, the program will take place at the University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon. That same weekend, participants can cheer on U of M’s Bison football team that will play against (beat) the University of Saskatchewan. Participants will fly to Saskatoon; flight and program costs will total approximately $775.00. 

“We are proud to celebrate the program’s 20^th year!” says Mark O’Riley, director, learning and organizational development, human resources. “The Support Staff Endowment Fund Committee works on these learning exchanges and they do an amazing job. Colleagues come up to me all the time, saying how much they appreciate the learning opportunities and chance to connect with colleagues on these excursions.”

Applications are now online; please submit your application by June 29.

Participants enjoy uOttawa

Applications will be considered if you are:

• A University of Manitoba full time or part time staff member in a continuing regular position
• Wanting to enhance the effectiveness of the service in your area by learning about University of Saskatchewan systems and processes
• Interested in increasing your professional network both with counterparts at the University of Saskatchewan, and with members of the University of Manitoba
• Being supported by your department to cover the cost of your trip (approximately $775)

To register by July 13, download the program application on the support staff endowment fund website. 

If you have additional questions please contact Lynn Bohonos, learning and organizational development, human resources, at SSLEapplication [at] umanitoba [dot] ca

Did you know the Support Staff Endowment Fund also organizes day trips? Register for the August 18 Folkorama VIP Tour and visit the Chile, Ireland and Caribbean pavilions. 

“Thank you for sharing your talents,” he continued. “Together we help students, faculty, staff, alumni and members of our communities build better lives for themselves and for those around them.”

This year’s event recognized 71 faculty and staff for their 25 years of service. Held at Marshall McLuhan Hall, University Centre, on June 19, the reception featured jazz musicians from the U of M’s Desautels Faculty of Music. After dinner, recipients received their framed certificate accompanied by a gift from the University of Manitoba.

Don Stewart

Don Stewart, executive director, student support, student affairs, celebrated 25 years of service. “I appreciate the opportunity to work with some of the brightest and most interesting people in the province,” he said.

“The diversity of opportunities, constant challenges and support for creativity and innovation are valued here,” he added. “The university’s great working environment allows me to do what I enjoy most — directly work with students.”

Collaboration and support were themes echoed by recipient Mark O’Riley, director, learning and organizational development.

Mark O’Riley

“I’ve been lucky because there were always colleagues to help me navigate through things, being generous with their time and support,” he said. “Partners were willing to collaborate and it’s my hope that I can support others in the same way.”

The annual event, hosted by learning and organizational development, human resources, aligns with the University of Manitoba’s strategic plan Taking Our Place, which highlights the priority to build community, recognize contributions of all community members and create an outstanding learning and working environment.

For more information about the Long Service Award, see the human resources website.

Janice Ristock, current Vice-Provost (Academic) and soon-to-be Provost and Vice-President (Academic) as of July 1, 2016 says, “You could feel the excitement in the room. Over 35 leaders came together to share their experiences and learn from one another. I am very proud of this collaborative effort by Manitoba’s post-secondary universities.”

Participating universities included University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University, Université de Saint-Boniface and Brandon University.

Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic) at the U of M, the two-day workshop was comprised of interactive sessions, including an informal speed-networking event at a private reception held at U of M’s Degrees restaurant. Participants could ask questions or tackle issues in one-on-one sessions with a facilitator.

Sharing their academic leadership experience and expertise were workshop facilitators Sheila A. Brown, former President and Vice-Chancellor, Mount Saint Vincent University, and Neil Gold, former Provost and Vice-President (Academic), University of Windsor.

Themes included best practices in teaching and research, meeting the needs of students, supporting indigenous student success, strategic planning, and many more. Participants also benefitted from peer conversations and networking.

Participants network at Degrees restaurant

Mark O’Riley, director of learning and organizational development (LOD), human resources, at the U of M, was one of the event organizers, in partnership with the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD). “We are pleased that the workshop was so well-received, and we very much look forward to future similar collaborations with post-secondary educational institutions from across the province,” he said.

The professional development program supports the mandate of the University of Manitoba’s strategic plan, Taking Our Place, adds Ristock.

“Together, we are working towards the goal of developing a culture of leadership and teamwork among faculty at the U of M and across the province. Collaborative events such as this one broaden and strengthen the work of developing academic leadership potential and sharing resources as part of the academic community in Manitoba.”

For more information on the workshop, read previous UM Today story.

Read more about academic leadership development at the University of Manitoba.

“Developing and Enhancing Leadership Potential” is the inaugural workshop of the Manitoba Academic Leadership Development Program, and takes place on May 4 and 5 at the University of Manitoba. The program was initiated as a joint effort by universities including the University of Manitoba, University of Winnipeg, Canadian Mennonite University, Université de Saint-Boniface and Brandon University. The U of M is strongly endorsing the collaboration by hosting this first program.

Sponsored by the Office of the Provost and Vice-President (Academic), in partnership with the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD) and learning and organizational development (LOD), human resources, the workshop is open to department heads throughout the province.

Janice Ristock, current Vice-Provost (Academic), and soon-to-be Provost and Vice-President (Academic) as of July 1, 2016, says, “Academic leaders are crucial to our post-secondary community. The Manitoba Universities Academic Leadership Development Program allows individual post-secondary institutions to collaborate in the development, support and enhancement of leadership potential. We are very pleased to host the inaugural workshop and look forward to future initiatives.”

In addition to providing academic leadership development support, the workshop is an opportunity to network and learn from others, including colleagues at the University of Manitoba and from across the province, says Kathleen Matheos, associate dean, extended education, and interim director of CHERD. Established in 1987 and offering regional and national courses, programs, seminars, and workshops, the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development at the U of M is Canada’s leading institution dedicated to scholarship and the professional development of faculty and administration in post-secondary education.

The workshop will explore topics such as best practices, mentoring, promoting excellence in teaching and research, forming partnerships and facilitating collaboration, challenges and key issues for Manitoba universities, fostering a positive and respective work environment, organizational justice and fairness, leadership models, strategic planning, leading and managing change, and developing a strong culture of leadership and teamwork among faculty.

Read more about academic leadership development at the University of Manitoba.

For more about the Centre for Higher Education Research and Development (CHERD), see http://umanitoba.ca/cherd/

The one-year program, which started as a pilot, is now an open program accepting applications from leaders throughout the university. UMLLP is geared towards those with leadership responsibilities and those who want to be more aware and better prepared for what is involved in taking on a leadership role. As staff progress through the program, they have the time and space to share ideas with other leaders in the program.

The program includes 10 full-day learning workshops. One-on-one confidential leadership coaching and learning activities are also included. Plus, every participant gets to complete the personal inventory tool “DiSC® – Work Of Leaders.”

“It is quite remarkable for the university community to have developed this grassroots program in under two years. We are thrilled to have had the support and expertise of so many partners from across the campus working with us,”says Sandra Woloschuk, associate director of learning and organizational development, human resources.

Graduate Jenn Shaw, financial analyst with family medicine, also sees value in networking. She says, “Getting the opportunity to move through this program with a cohort of peers is so powerful.”

Participants talk about developing common goals for their project teams. There is discussion on how to support and coach their teams within an environment of constant change.

Randy Roller, assistant director, office of institutional analysis, is another graduate of the program. He adds, “This program helps you understand different workplace issues and deal with them in a strengthening and positive manner.”

For 2016, the program will have two intake dates — February and September. Applications are now being accepted.

The UM Leaders Learning Program is part of human resources’ focused efforts to provide leadership development opportunities to the university community. Supporting leaders across the university to be successful and realize their full potential is one key goal of the unit.

For more information about UMLLP, visit learning and organizational development or contact Sandra Woloschuk at 204-474-8279, sandra.woloschuk@umanitoba.ca

David Ness is the director of counseling services and one of three panelists participating in the new Outstanding Workplace Stories series, which launches Friday, Oct. 16. The Outstanding Workplace Stories series is organized by Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) and features individuals who stand out in the U of M community as having insight and perspective into professional development topics. Panelists will share their stories in a less formal setting during a lunchtime seminar.

The first panel focuses on the topic of having influence in the work environment. Other panelists are James Blatz, associate vice-president (partnerships) and Karen Meelker, privacy officer/coordinator.

Mark O’Riley, director of LOD, says, “We hope the panel discussions will be an engaging way for members of the U of M community to learn from each other’s experiences, spark dialogue and contribute to the culture of support at the university.”

We spoke with David Ness in advance of the event for a preview of his insights.

What is the most important characteristic you see that promotes influence/provides leadership  (characteristic specific to the topic) in the workplace?

Ness: This is a challenging question because there are many characteristics that could be discussed. If I had to select one characteristic it would be trust. A leader needs to engender trust to facilitate open dialogue, risk taking and safety. A workplace in which there is mutual trust between all will be healthier and will promote innovation, dedication and reward. To engender trust, a leader must maintain high ethical standards and be honest, supportive and provide critical feedback in a fashion that can be received. This demands that a leader be aware of their own work and personality style and how this works for them and against them.

What or who has been your greatest influence for your work, and why? Or Who has been the greatest mentor for you in terms of leadership?

Ness: The greatest influence I’ve experienced that informed my leadership was my volunteer involvement in a national professional organization that ultimately resulted in an opportunity to assume a significant leadership role. The experiences with this national organization were seminal for my leadership skills and included fantastic support and modelling from colleagues whom I’m now happy to call friends. The environment I worked within with this organization felt safe and affirming and included significant time for interpersonal connecting, which is something that can facilitate effectively working with challenging situations later on. There were challenging topics to address during my time with this organization but this was not a bad thing as they helped to shape my leadership style and to develop my confidence. Maybe the greatest gain I realized from working with this group was enhanced leadership confidence.

 The first Outstanding Workplace Stories event takes place on Friday, Oct. 16, from 12 to 1 p.m. In LOD’s new Learning Centre at 141 Education. Following the presentations, there will be time for questions from the audience.

Whether you would like to learn how to motivate team members, build your skills in crucial conversations or even just manage your time better – you can do it through LOD. And as an added bonus, all workshops are free.

The Learning and Organizational Development (LOD) team is dedicated to the professional development and ongoing learning of University of Manitoba employees. There are multiple approaches it takes to build capacity and employee skills at the University of Manitoba, the most prominent of which are the classroom sessions.

And this September, LOD launched a new workshop space that will allow it to better serve employees taking sessions and will make the experience more exciting.

You can check out the new space by enrolling in one of this year’s offerings! Here are some of the new sessions on this year’s calendar:

Workload Balance & Stress **First session Monday Sept. 14, 2015** – Learn ways to create a plan or strategy to help you balance your workload and reduce the impact of stress in the workplace.

Project Management – Learn the vernacular of project managers and the steps to be able to lead your own project.

Presentation Skills – Learn difference ways to make the most out of your presentation, as well as a few pitfalls to avoid.

Social Intelligence & Leadership – Learn how social intelligence can help you identify ways to identify and interpret non-verbal cues and increase your understanding of interpersonal dynamics.

Registration for sessions from September through December is now open. Register for individual sessions at http://umanitoba.gosignmeup.com.

Offered over a lunch hour and with open registration available to all employees, the goal of the series through LOD (formerly known as Learning & Development Services or LDS) is to provide informative, engaging and practical opportunities for employees to learn about something that they can then practice in their work and personal lives.

LOD director Mark O’Riley explains, “We want to offer relevant, impactful sessions that resonate with our community. Expanding the options available in the wellness section of our calendar is another way that we are trying to meet the needs of our community”.

The Lunch & Learns are being offered in partnership with campus specialists.

The fall series includes three sessions: “Yoga in Your Office Chair” facilitated by Ulla Liljegren, Faculty of Kinesiology and Recreation Management; “Your Personal Safety on Campus” facilitated by Christopher Bohonis, Security Services; and “Back Care: Preventing Strain & Pain” facilitated by Byron Bahniuk, Bison Athletic Therapy Centre. Sessions on how to manage stress and ways to avoid repetitive motion injuries are being planned for the winter term. Continuation of the series will depend on interest from the community.

“We have such great partners on campus that have so much to share with the community,” says O’Riley. “We are hoping that people will attend these sessions and that the community will tell us about other topics of interest so that we can expand our offerings going forward”.

Registration for the Lunch & Learn sessions opens on Monday, September 15 on the LOD registration page at: https://umanitoba.gosignmeup.com/Public/Course/Browse

For more information, or to suggest a Lunch & Learn topic, contact Linda Lassman at: 204-474-9124 or linda.lassman@umanitoba.ca (subject line: “Lunch & Learn”).