11th April 2006 - Staff Development Day

Diaries booked.  Schedule planned.  Lunch reservation made in time.  Venue with film projection facilities made available for us. 

The 11th of April marked an event for all of us at SAPPORT Head Office and Social Work Services which we may well define as successful.  The Staff Development Day achieved our main goal, namely to enhance our professional relationships and strengthen our teams, since the physical distance between our two main offices does not allow for the day-to-day co-working and ordinary interactions. 

The programme was quite simple; the day started off by watching inside I'm dancing, a film focussing on disability issues, followed by lunch together at a local restaurant, then returning to our base where we discussed the film in three small groups.  The day concluded by convening together and each workshop presented its outcome.  Finally, we evaluated the day.

The venue was the Parish Centre in Marsascala; time between 10:30am till 5:00pm.  All but a few could not make it, and obviously for valid reasons.  We were twenty-three (23) in all, including three (3) university students who were at the time carrying out a placement at the Social Work Services.

During the final evaluation, the following feedback was pointed out: the forum promoted good communication between the teams; the environment was relaxing (not the usual work ambience) for discussions; the film elicited important insights and realistic goals for which we as Agency should strive to achieve; the format was well liked but other formats can be explored; the forum should be repeated, at least once quarterly; the fact that the teams were brought together gave a broader perspective of a wider group working within the Agency; and, a good exposure to the work of the other teams. One final comment to cap it all: a learning experience.

All efforts joined together, the forum was well received - as confirmed by the above feedback - and we called the day off satisfied and with a smile, claiming such day as one to repeat.  Hence, the nomination of Elaine, Mariquinia and Carmel to plan and coordinate the second Staff Development Day, scheduled for 1st June 2006.

Film Description:

Questions for Workshops:
- Such a film would have struck each and every one of us in a different way.  Can you share the main issues that had an impact on you as a person and as a professional working in the field?
- What message have you received through watching the film?
- What are its implications for our practice as professionals in the disability sector?
- What bearing would the message portrayed in this film have on the Agency and its Services?

Workshops:
1. Mariella, Eric, Ronald, Janette, Sandy, Paul, Brian and Vicky (facilitator)
2. Mariquinia, Andre', Carmel, Carmen, Elaine, Stephanie, Marcel and Mary Anne (facilitator)
3. Clifford, David, Rosette, Vanessa, Justin, Agnes and Fleur (facilitator)