PROBLEMSOLVING
Taking a creative approach to situations, looking beyond the
most obvious or commonly used solutions
Student story:
The average event in Collis requires at least
one thing new, something we haven’t done
before. This can range from an intercom set up
to a new type of stage to a new location. For
instance, the fashion n show in the café over
the weekend was a completely new set-up; a
stage in the café with a sound system and
catwalk? We knew what they wanted and had
to find a solution that would accommodate their
needs in a creative and new way.
PLANNING AND ORGANIZING
Developing plans to break large projects into
manageable pieces, using forward thinking to
anticipate problems
Student story:
Every shift we begin by deciding what should
be done first. Some jobs take two people,
some jobs work better when done by only one
person. Usually, the first thing we do is discuss
the order in which we should tackle each task.
By planning ahead, we can ensure that two of
us are working together on the more laborintensive projects and that no one is doing
nothing while waiting for another job to be
finished.
DELEGATING
Leading a group to accomplish a goal,
determining how best to use human resources,
preparing a group for new leadership
Student story:
The Tech hierarchy goes from Tim to the Head
Tech to the other techs to training techs.
Usually, Tim gives us instructions and its up to
us to decide how exactly to get it done. By
delegating jobs, the Head Tech can usually
reserve the more technical projects for himself,
such as setting up a complicated audio system
or training a new tech.
DECISION MAKING
Considering data and options to move a group
toward its goals, recognizing the continuum of
failure and success, recalibrating goals accordingly
Student story:
Often we encounter situations with organizers
who haven’t thought things through or performers
that aren’t prepared to perform on given stages.
Just last night, we made a decision to change the
stage plot for the Wale/Blue Scholars show when
it became apparent the DJ tables would be
disturbed too much by movement on stage.
Furthermore, we eliminated the catwalk, deciding
to reduce the possibility for feedback. They were
decisions made on the fly that greatly improved
the overall show.
RESOURCE MANAGEMENT
To understand and apply fiduciary responsibility,
work with budgets, basic accounting procedures,
appropriate care of physical and virtual resources
Student story:
As Techs, we are responsible for managing the
storage of equipment, ensuring that it is well
taken care of and accessible, but for the most
part we do not deal with budgets or basic
accounting procedures beyond ensuring we
receive our paychecks and blitzing in our hours.
COMMUNICATION
Public speaking, persuasive writing, respecting
others’ voices in a group situation, modeling
controversy with civility
Student story:
Often opinions differ about how to complete a shift.
Organizers want things they didn’t request, or things that
we can’t offer, techs need to leave early or show up late
or don’t know how to do something; communication
becomes a big part of the job. Last term a medical
school student organized an event that involved very
specific decorating touches. We politely informed her of
what would be possible for us to do, what her other
options were, and then listened to her responses and
worked together for a solution. It was great example of a
cooperative solution to an issue that arose while working
in Collis.
DEVELOPING CONNECTIONS
Becoming part of a web of people to find
solutions, creating a network of allies beyond
one’s own milieu
Student story:
Often, Techs must cooperate with managers to get a
show done. From having them help fold up staging or
turning off lights to having them monitor a group after
the techs leave, the two groups must work well
together to get a job done. With the Chinese New Year
celebration earlier this term, a manager helped me set
up chairs, and afterwards I showed him how to run the
lights so that he could take care of their needs after I
left. It was a great way to use all of the resources
available in Collis together.
CULTURAL COMPETENCY
Having a knowledge of self and others,
and a confidence in working with a
diverse group of people
Student story:
The range of activities that occur in Common
Ground is rather expansive. From the Chinese
New Year festivities to Black History Month
speakers to International Student Dinners to
Native American discussion panels, any one
shift might involve working with any number of
diverse students and community members.
Being able to approach each situation with
sensitivity and genuine interest is a key
component to making an event go well, and
one of the most useful skills for being a tech.
ACCOUNTABILITY
Taking responsibility for the actions of a group or oneself,
working proactively to uphold community standards
Student story:
Many times this term I have accidentally
left doors open or forgotten to return the
keys. This results in a potentially
dangerous situation where things could
get stolen or people annoyed. As a tech,
its important to accept responsibility for
things like this to ensure that no one else
is hassled, and to ensure that you yourself
might learn to stop making those
mistakes.
TIME MANAGEMENT
Utilizing self-selected tools and strategies to
prepare for and meet deadlines, identifying
priorities and managing competing commitments,
finding a healthy and sustainable work-life balance
Student story:
The Saturday and Sunday shifts are particularly
damning to my schedule. Saturdays, being the only
day of the week this term I could find free time to relax,
and Sundays, being the days for homework, are both
very important days. It became a huge deal to make
sure none of us had to stay later or work extra after
these shifts. To ensure this wasn’t necessary, we
would work hard to finish on time and try to foresee
problems that might arise in the future, so that we
wouldn’t be required to come in again to fix them.
FLEXIBILITY
Expanding one’s own or a group’s view of
possible solutions, responding proactively
when new situations are presented
Student story:
Every shift is different, every organizer
wants something new or catered to their
needs. Last week, with the Dance for a
Dream event in Common Ground, the
organizers wanted to hang pictures from
the ceiling beams and set up a stage on
the west side of Common Ground. Neither
of these are traditionally done, but we
were able to change the set-up to
accommodate their needs. Ultimately, the
show was a success.