Post on 22-Dec-2014
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UCL LIBRARY SERVICES
“The Value of Professional Activism”
Maria Cotera, MCLIP
President, Career Development Group
Activists’ Training Day
Newcastle, 19th May 2009
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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
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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)
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Leadership Skills
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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
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Career Development Group National Council November 2007 – packed full of activists!
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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
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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
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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
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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
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African Prisons Project flagship project in Kamiti Maximum Security Prison, Kenya, 2006
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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
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Ability to:
- interact positively with a wide variety of people,- deliver effective training, - give presentations, - chair and contribute constructively to meetings
Communication Skills - Oral
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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
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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
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CILIP’s Chief Executive Bob McKee lost an impressive 14.6 kg in 5 months
raising almost £1,000 for CDG’s International Projects!
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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
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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!)
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UCL Library Services Staff Conference, UCL, June 2008
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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
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Personal Value of Professional Activism
I am constantly developing new skills
which are the base for my
professional future…
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Personal Value of Professional Activism
…and I am seeing the world and making some great friends along the way!
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Any Questions?