Valueof Professional Activism

UCL LIBRARY SERVICES

“The Value of Professional Activism”

Maria Cotera, MCLIP

President, Career Development Group

Activists’ Training Day

Newcastle, 19th May 2009


Professional Activists:

proactive individuals committed to do our best at work

stand for ourselves to influence the professional issues we are passionate about

believe that there is more to professional life than our day-to-day jobs

know that action is the only way to make things happen, and are prepared to take it


Professional Activist Business Card

At Regional Level:

Committee Member, CDG London & South East Divisions

At National Level:

President, Career Development Group Member, Policy Forum (CILIP) Committee Member, International Library and Information Group

Internationally:

Ex-Officio Member, Management of Library Associations Section Committee (IFLA)

Lead Convener, Women, Information & Libraries Discussion Group (IFLA)


Leadership Skills


Why becoming a professional activist?

As we learn more we can do more

Our professional activism creates a positive mindset and a sense of achievement

As we become more in control of our own professional development, we get more & more passionate about our goals and dreams


Career Development Group National Council November 2007 – packed full of activists!


The Value of Professional Activism

Professional Activism help us gain transferable skills

Skill is anything we can learn to do competently; a developed aptitude or ability

Transferable skills can be put to work in a wide variety of jobs

The more we use them, the easier they become


Transferable Skills We Can Develop

Organisational skillsTime managementProject managementCommunication skills (written and verbal)Problem solving skills (flexibility, resilience)Creativity, imagination (ability to think beyond)Influencing skills (fundraising)Interpersonal skills (ability to relate to people at different levels,

confidence, diplomacy)Leadership skills


Organisational Skills / Time Management

Career Development Group Study Tour 2007 to Granada, Spain

- Ability to organise workload and time accurately and successfully to tight deadlines

- Ability to juggle different tasks effectively

- Ability to delegate to others



Project managementAbility to:

initiate, follow through, publicise and complete projects in an original, organised and successful way.

Tholifundo Library School, Soweto, South Africa.Career Development Group International Project 2003-05

ucylmco


African Prisons Project flagship project in Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Kenya, 2006


Communication Skills - Written

Ability to:- present information in the best way- prepare reports, news & journal articles, website content, training & publicity

materials- engage in effective e-mail communication


Ability to:

- interact positively with a wide variety of people,- deliver effective training, - give presentations, - chair and contribute constructively to meetings

Communication Skills - Oral


Problem Solving Skills, Creativity, Imagination

Ability to think beyond existing practices to identify and implement potential improvements

Flexibility, resilience – follow your goals and never give up; if things don’t go according to the original plan have a ‘Plan B’ and be ready to implement it!

Kambalee School, UgandaCDG-VSO Project 2006


Influencing Skills

Ability to:

- generate and promote ideas

- raise the profile of your project

- relate to, and inspire others, so they want to be associated with our ideas and are willing to help


CILIP’s Chief Executive Bob McKee lost an impressive 14.6 kg in 5 months

raising almost £1,000 for CDG’s International Projects!


Interpersonal & Leadership Skills

Ability to listen and put ideas across in an effective way

Share success so others can find connections at a personal level

Not afraid of a challenge / implement changeAbility to adapt & be able to provide leadership

in varying circumstances


Why Should Our Employers Support Our Professional Activism?

the skills we gain through our voluntary activism enrich our professional life

happy, empowered professionals make a more effective workplace, able to influence & develop fellow colleagues

our organisation benefits from our contacts and experience (as we learn more we can do more!)


UCL Library Services Staff Conference, UCL, June 2008


Personal Value of Professional Activism

My professional activism has changed my

mindset:

I am a more positive,

confident,

pro-active,

empowered professional,

able to step onto the plate



I am constantly developing new skills

which are the base for my

professional future…



…and I am seeing the world and making some great friends along the way!


Any Questions?