Emails, restructuring

Submitted by Mark Phillips
in
General Questions and Comments

Hi all,

I have begun my new role as faculty coordinator in a secondary school. I have found the tranistion a difficult one at times. I have four full faculty meetings per year which in my opinion is not enough and I find myself communicating with staff via email a lot, too much.

I have created small teams and appointed team leaders and decided to have team leader  meetings twice a term with the full faculty meeting being used for planning and PD. This is to help with increased communication and information flow.

Is there a problem with using email to communicate a lot. What are some other effective ways to communicate with a faculty of 22 when there is only 4 meetings per year.

Also, one of the team leaders has been unable to attend a number of meetings due to other legimate school business, I asked them to give up their role of team leader if they weren't able to make it to regular meetings. I am feeling a bit unsure about this and was wondering if I have over reacted here or whether I have made the right call. It will allow a more inexperienced staffmember  to gain some leadership experience.

Any feedback or comments to assist with this dilemma.

Thanks,

Mark

 

 

Submitted by Asterisk RNTT on Wednesday March 17th, 2010 3:49 pm

If you have not already, scan the net for some presentations on Marketing Communications and how to target your messages.  Additionally, if you are sending out emails that result in more than 3-5 email exchanges, you should not be using email.  Those evolve into conversations and conversations should be conducted face-to-face or via conference call. 

Submitted by Mark Phillips on Thursday March 18th, 2010 1:58 am

That's a really good rule of thumb to work by. I will use that in future to determine whether or not email is appropriate. I will also scan the net for presentations.
 
Cheers,
 
Mark

Submitted by Gwen Pearson on Thursday March 18th, 2010 10:22 am

Thanks for that advice, Asterisk! I have a tendency to let my preference for email blind me to that dynamic.

Submitted by Asterisk RNTT on Friday March 19th, 2010 10:10 am

I think a lot of us do it Buggy.  We forget these tools are complements, not replacements.

Submitted by Michael Peterson on Tuesday April 6th, 2010 12:43 pm

 
Mark,
I think it is entirely reasonable to have someone give up the role of team leader if they cannot consistently attend the meetings.  I assume that the meetings are more than just for delivery of information.  Discussions only occur when people are actually in the meeting and these are improved by being face to face.  I currently sit on the board for my company's magazine and one of the requirements is that we consistently attend the meetings, because of the need for interaction and decisions that are made in the meeting.  If they are not attending the meeting, they have not made it a priority and must not feel it is that important.. Which means that should not be miffed if they give up that role.  
-mike