Team Charter Energy High

you might have been part of a new process this year…

creating a program team charter. What did you think? Here’s what a few Managers said about the charter planning experience in their program.

Context: A team charter defines the purpose of a team, how it will work, and what the expected outcomes are. Planning included staff doing a personality survey and working as a group with an external facilitator to create a team charter.

Westmount Permanent Supportive Housing (PSH) is the ‘new kid on the block’ and the team was just settling into the new site when charter planning started. Nicole Webber, Senior Manager, says the timing was perfect: “It was a great experience for the team and the dynamics of the new and old (former SSPSH) team members. It helped bring the team together.” Their charter is displayed in three office areas and will be a standing item at team meetings.

Leah-anne Graham was also dealing with change as she recently stepped into the role of Medical Detox Unit (MDU) Manager. The charter development experience exceeded her expectations, says Leah-anne, “I really found all the staff were engaged and I surprised at the different personalities coming together with the same goals and passions. It enlivened and impassioned the team.” The MDU charter is posted near the staff appreciation board.

Charter planning was a hit with the Clinical Access Team (CAT) too. Robynn Strikwerda, Manager, said the team really enjoyed the process. She was surprised by the accuracy of the personality survey. Although most team members have been with CAT for several years, the question, ‘What’s important to know about you so we can come to a solution?’ still led to an extended discussion and individuals learning about each other. Robynn noted that the external facilitator was an important contributor to the process, pulling together a final charter document that was “a very accurate capture of the discussion.” The team will post the charter in the CAT office. 

You’ll also see the team charter displayed in the Housing First Program offices. This team was also engaged and excited about the charter development process. Lyndsay Aiton, Program Manager, said a particularly valuable discussion during charter planning was on the difference between team and personal values. At the team’s suggestion, three copies of the charter were signed, framed, and hung in the central office area. The charter will also be a standing item at team meetings.

It sounds like the team charters reflect each team’s unique services and shared values. And it sounds like the posted charters will be ongoing and ready reminders of how team members will be working together to serve their clients and to support each other along the way.