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What is a GLF Think Tank? - Background
The GLF Think Tank program is an innovative way for GLF graduates to make a solid contribution to thinking and policy making on complex issues. Each project offers the opportunity to work with a group of graduates on a complex issue with a high level champion and a series of agreed parameters and outcomes.
The general concept is that groups of GLF graduates come together to work on specific issues for which organisations require some ‘out of the box’ ideas and fresh thinking.
An initiative such as this offers our graduates a practical and simple way to utilise the enthusiasm, knowledge and skills developed in the GLF program for the good of the broader community. In addition, graduates are able to further develop their knowledge and skills and get to work with others from across different GLF program year groups from a diversity of professional backgrounds and sectors. Participants may also be able to have an impact on government policy development and/or the development of initiatives to tackle some of the most intractable problems our community faces.
If you are interested in discussing a possible think-tank project then please contact the Institute's CEO Niki Vincent
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email
or phone 08 7070 0960.
Project selection
Suggestions for projects will come through any organisation. Projects should meet the following criteria:
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Utilise the core strengths of the GLF program and the skills base of the graduates
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Provide interest, enjoyment and a growth experience for graduates
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Have a high-level champion within the organisation (see below)
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Extend for approximately 3-6 months (in general)
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Produce practical, rapid outcomes that can be readily implemented
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Organisations will need to present a clear proposal for each Think Tank project. The proposal needs to briefly describe the problem and the desired input and outcomes (targets) from GLF involvement. It is important to clearly establish what will make each project a success.
It is essential for the organisation to assign a high level project ‘champion’ from within the relevant department(s) for each project. The role of this champion is to effectively connect the GLF graduates with appropriate policy and protocol relating to each of the project ideas. Each champion will need to be accessible to meet with the project team on at least a monthly basis.
GLF graduate involvement
Each proposal is advertised in the Network Newsletter and on a specially-developed section of the Leaders Institute website, along with a call for expressions of interest from GLF graduates who might like to be involved. The Leaders Institute Program Coordinator then works through the expressions of interest and puts together a diverse group of people for each project – ensuring that each volunteer knows what is involved and is prepared to make the commitment (NB: conflicts of interest are avoided for those involved). Graduates are asked to make a firm commitment to complete a project and to attend all meetings and carry out their share of the work. They are asked not to get involved unless they can do so.
Facilitation
Once we have interested our GLF graduates, we generally hold a series of half-day meetings (perhaps once or twice a month) over the course of 3-6 months – depending on the project. Initially, an information session is set up – much like a GLF program session (with pre-reading beforehand) – in which various experts representing a variety of perspectives are invited along to present information and debate the issues with the group members. Group members might subsequently meet several more times (with or without senior staff of the department involved) to brainstorm ideas, work out what to focus on, develop ideas and strategies and prepare a draft response. Part of the group process might also include surveying the whole GLF Network for additional ideas and/or putting the draft response up on the Leaders Institute internal program website for comment from other graduates and program participants before submission.
A paid facilitator is generally assigned to projects (where appropriate) to help ensure a smooth group process and that a tangible product or outcome (e.g. action plan or report) is achieved. GLF graduates (other than the facilitators) will not be paid for their involvement. The costs of facilitation are covered in the facilitation and administration fee paid by the organisation involved.
Administration/coordination
Administrative and program support for the process (working through expressions of interest, development of group, initial panel session and pre-reading materials, organising meetings, catering, surveying, report writing, delivering on timelines etc) will be provided by the Leaders Institute. At the present time, this is partly supported by sponsorship from the Department of the Premier and Cabinet. An allowance for administration and facilitation is also made in the fee charged to each organisation involved in a Think-tank project. The fee charged depends on the length and scope of the project.
The Leaders Institute oversees the process of each project until a final response is submitted to the organisation. Once the project is completed, the GLF think-tank group will meet with the relevant organisation staff (CEO, Champion etc) to review the process and outcomes with a view to improving the latter for the next project.
Beyond this, the development of any initiatives arising from the GLFN Collaborative Think Tank reports will be the responsibility of the organisation and individual graduates who wish to continue to be involved in delivering, developing and/or championing them.
Role and scope of GLF graduates as volunteer advisors
It is important to note that GLF graduates, when working on Think Tank projects, do so as volunteers. This is irrespective of their professional appointments or qualifications. As volunteers, GLF graduates are acting as individuals – not on behalf of their normal employer or organisation or on behalf of the Leaders Institute or the GLF. It is the GLF graduate’s responsibility to ensure their volunteer role does not conflict with their professional obligations.
It is also important to note that the work done by graduates as part of this initiative is only advisory in nature. GLF graduates will need to be sensitive to the potential legal exposures faced by professional people when acting as volunteers. When operating as part of a volunteer team, graduates will need to be circumspect about giving ‘off the cuff’ advice. A written report, if prepared, should specifically state that advice given is general in nature and should also recommend that the client seek further formal and detailed advice on critical issues. A suitable disclaimer should also be included. Generally the formal wording will be provided to the team prior to commencing the project. Whilst it is difficult to be prescriptive about such matters, as each project is likely to be different, GLF graduates and the client should view a project group of GLF graduates as volunteer advisors rather than as ‘visiting experts’, and graduates should take all reasonable steps to ensure clarity on this point.
Some projects may require graduates to provide direct input in order to move a project along, however, generally graduates input should be seen in terms of providing advice and initiating and reviewing action. Graduates should consult with their employer or professional body if they have any concerns over real or apparent conflicts with any role they are asked to perform. Graduates may wish to maintain a longer-term involvement with the client once the official 3-6 month term of the Leaders Institute/GLF project has been completed. This will be entirely their choice, but the Leaders Institute’s responsibility will cease at the end of the agreed 3-6 month term. The terms and conditions of any ongoing commitment will be at the discretion of the GLF Graduate, the Leader’s Institute will have no responsibility for managing this process.
Insurance coverage
The organisation that is commissioning the Think Tank project should provide accident insurance coverage for all graduates working on Think Tank projects as volunteers. Insurance coverage is explained to all volunteers so that if they do not feel that their coverage is adequate, they can discuss the matter with their own insurance advisor/broker in the context of their personal insurance coverage. Some graduates employers may carry insurances that extend to their staff’ ‘employer approved’ pro bono activities. However, note that the Leaders Institute’s statement to the client and to graduates will underline that our graduates are not acting as representatives of their employers, but as individual volunteers. Nonetheless, depending on employer guidelines, graduates may want to register their community involvements with their employers if such a scheme exists in their organisation.
Drop-outs from projects
Graduates are strongly encouraged to see projects through to completion. However, if a graduate does need to drop out of a project for some reason, he or she should contact the Leaders Institute Program Manager before contacting the client and should not arrange a replacement without discussing the options with the Program Manager.
Graduates should discuss any problems they are having in a Think Tank project with the Leaders Institute Program Manager before discussing this with the client. Think Tank work aims to maximise the continued leadership growth of GLF graduates and this can only be achieved if the Leaders Institute is given full and timely information.
FURTHER INFORMATION
If you are interested in discussing a possible Think Tank project then please contact the Institute's CEO Niki Vincent
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email
or phone 08 7070 0960.
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