Recent Articles
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ITIL in education: A possible framework for IT service management
Hannah Price EducationTechnology is essential to teaching and learning in every school district, as learning is impacted without reliable IT infrastructure and processes. The same is true for administrative functions throughout a school district. These goals require some educational entities to turn to frameworks like Information Technology Infrastructure Library (ITIL). Even though the ITIL framework is impactful, and is effective for some organizations in managing out-of-sorts practices, some IT leaders wonder what ITIL is and what it can do.
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California’s recent prison reforms require housing solutions
Michelle R. Matisons Law Enforcement, Defense & SecurityCriminalization of homeless and undocumented populations in California is integral to the state’s mass incarceration policies, which produced privatization as an initial solution to overcrowding. The state has been attempting its own carceral cleanup, as the Legislature recently passed AB 32, which bans new and renewed private correctional and detention facilities contracts by 2020 and seeks zero inmate presence in private facilities by 2028. A uniquely Californian hand-wringing reluctance accompanies prison privatization efforts.
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A surprising, often-overlooked church communication tool
Mark MacDonald Religious CommunityThere’s nothing worse than discovering a problem that requires a specific, currently unavailable tool. In fact, availability is the essential requirement for all tools! Multifunctional tools are even better — they accomplish so much and take up less room. Almost everyone has a multifunctional church communication tool in their pocket. It’s your mobile phone. How can you use it for church communication? There’s almost an endless list of tasks that can now be completed on that little mobile device. Here are five.
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What to do when volunteers quit
Deborah Ike Religious CommunityIt’s that awkward moment you’re always trying to avoid: a volunteer emails you or mentions one Sunday that he "needs some time away from serving for a while." Maybe you saw it coming; maybe you didn’t. Regardless, now you’re left trying to figure out what to do about it. Your gut reaction might include a bit of defensiveness, and it’s hard not to take it personally. However, when you truly care for each church member’s needs, then there is an appropriate response to have in these situations. Here’s what I recommend on what to do when volunteers quit.
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Why color blindness is not a compliment
Simma Lieberman Business Management, Services & Risk ManagementIn the 1950s, it was common to hear the term "melting pot," which meant all cultures and people melting together. That concept resulted in exclusion, inequality, undue pressure to give up identity, and hampered the expression of new ideas. Today, instead of "melting pot," we think "salad," where different ingredients with their own flavors, colors and textures offer a new experience that’s even better. In our communities and in the organizations where we work, recognizing and leveraging those differences can result in breakthrough products and services that meet the diverse needs of a global population.
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Healthy aging in the nursing profession
Amanda Ghosh Medical & Allied HealthcareIf you’re a nurse, you may not be aging well. According to the ANA's Healthy Nurse Survey, 82% of nurses believe they are at risk for workplace stress. Stress at work can reduce your quality of life and lead to significant health problems — two significant hurdles in the path to fit and active golden years. September is Healthy Aging Month, so now is a great time to step back and assess your health. Are you aging gracefully? If not, here are a few ways to combat nursing-related health problems.
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In an association, ‘parts is parts’
Robert C. Harris Association ManagementIn the 1980s, a fast food commercial spoofed the composition of chicken nuggets. Asked if nuggets are made from chicken breast, they shrugged and said, "parts is parts." Associations, too, are a combination of “parts.” For instance, committees, board, staff, volunteers, bylaws, budget, members, advisors, reserves, strategic plan, meetings, programs, positions and priorities. The parts combine to form an association. Every association is unique. Even with similar missions, they can be organized in drastically different ways.
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The loneliest road in America
Steve and Diane Owens Recreation & LeisureAfter many years, we are heading back to California for a visit. Our destination is the east side of the Sierra Nevadas: Tahoe, Mono Lake, Yosemite, and Stanislaus Forest. But first we must cross the vast desert land called Nevada. We have selected the "Loneliest Road in America" — Highway 50 — as our travel companion, a distance of about 600 miles from Provo, Utah, to the California border below Carson City. U.S. 50 is an incredible road, and a driver should be prepared for long distances between towns, high mountain passes, and winding narrow roads with many hairpin turns and no shoulders or guardrails.
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Supporting educators transitioning to a competency-based learning system
Brian Stack EducationIn a recent article, I reported on how competency-based learning (CBL) systems continue to take hold across the nation. According to the International Association of Online K-12 Learning (iNACOL), 49 out of 50 states currently have policy language in place to support CBL systems in schools and school districts. Competency-based learning is sometimes referred to as mastery learning, proficiency-based learning, and, to a lesser degree, standards-based learning. It is part of a larger movement known as personalized learning, a philosophy that puts students at the center of their learning and encourages schools to identify multiple pathways for student learning and achievement.
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Simulation allows practice of ‘Code Blue drill’ in large health…
Len DeRamus Medical & Allied HealthcareIn just about every healthcare facility, announcements exist to let the staff know of emergency events. Several factors, including training, skill, experience and practice, help mitigate this autonomic reaction in healthcare providers. How does one hone their skills, and gain experience and practice without placing actual patients at risk of harm? On Aug. 9, The University of Georgia Health Center practiced "Code Blue" drills. These drills were simulation-based and reviewed medical emergencies.