KSJ Consulting Service’s Post

I don't think journalists should be forced to be objective, but if they take a point of view in their stories, they should be able to back it up. I don't think this report in the Stornaway Gazette does the job. It's about an #FOI request to Caledonian MacBrayne, the state-owned ferry operator in Scotland, asking which ports the company's non-executive directors had visited and when. I don't claim to be an expert, but even if you're only looking at it via the lens of Scottish FOI requests, CalMac is plainly not the most popular institution north of the border. CalMac's response is that the information is not held centrally and to find it would exceed the cost limit. It's possible that this is not true for two different reasons - there is a central register which is being kept secret or that finding the information wouldn't really take that long. But the story offers no evidence of either. Nevertheless, the headline reads "FoI refusal over board engagement is “dishonest”, though as far as I can see, the "dishonest" quote isn't attributed in the story. The author is vexed by the fact that directors of CalMac are not islanders, and says that the movements of Erik Østergaard, the company's Danish chair would be better understood "if the FoI request had been answered honestly". I'm not here to defend CalMac particularly; estimates when doing cost refusals can be overly generous and I think it's often reasonable to test whether they've been done correctly. But the premise of this story is that CalMac are lying; without any evidence, it seems a bit shabby. https://lnkd.in/ezH_K5gF

Today is the last day to nominate an inspiring individual, business or project for the Queensland Reconciliation Awards! Nominations close at 5pm today, so if you haven’t already, make sure to get your nominations in before time runs out. To nominate an inspiring organisation or initiative advancing reconciliation, visit qld.gov.au/reconciliation. Nominations close 5pm, Monday 18 March 2024. #ReconciliationQLD deadly stories @deadly.stories

In 2023 we looked at how well Te Puni Kōkiri and other public organisations were supporting Whānau Ora and whānau-centred approaches. Whānau Ora was established in 2010 and the Minister for Whānau Ora said in 2019 that he wanted to make more whānau-centred services available. Overall, we did not see a significant shift towards supporting or implementing whānau-centred approaches, or structured consideration of where and when these approaches would be appropriate. The public sector needs to be more deliberate in its support of whānau-centred approaches and Whānau Ora and to change processes and practices that hinder whānau-centred ways of working. These include overly prescriptive contracts and funding eligibility requirements, and onerous reporting requirements. Our work also found that Te Puni Kōkiri needs a clearer mandate for broadening whānau-centred approaches. Read the report and our 2-page summary: https://lnkd.in/gw4xF7Ev Watch a short video covering key findings: https://lnkd.in/gWxbmnWr

Good government works for the people when good people work for the government. A reminder that May 5-11, 2024, is Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW), supported by Partnership for Public Service! But you don't have to wait until May - thank a public servant today! According to the U.S. Office of Personnel Management (OPM): "Celebrated annually during the first week of May since 1985, Public Service Recognition Week (PSRW) is time set aside to honor the men and women who serve our nation as federal, state, county and local government employees. Throughout the country, mayors, governors, agency leaders, communities and public service organizations participate in PSRW by issuing proclamations; hosting award ceremonies and special tribute events; and delivering messages about the value of public service." Are you doing anything to #honor PSRW? Please share! I'm #grateful for the many good government employees that have helped me over the years. For more information see my comment below. #psrw #govcon #innovation

NEW RANKING: WHAT IS THE GLOBAL STATE OF GOOD GOVERNANCE? 🌍 💚 It never ceases to amaze me the difference good government does to people's lives around the world. If there's one factor above everything else that determines whether a society thrives or not, it is the quality of its public governance. 👨🏫 As an advisory panel member for the Chandler Good Government Index (CGGI), I am delighted to share that the fourth edition of the CGGI will be launched on 15 May 2024 at 11:30am UTC | 12:30pm BST. 🥇 CGGI is an annual index that measures and ranks government performance around the world: Which countries are winning the governance competition? Who are the biggest movers and shakers? On May 15th, you can hear from a distinguished panel of senior government leaders and practitioners, including Hon. Julia Gillard, former Australian Prime Minister, as they discuss and share their insights and experiences on building future-ready governments.  🔢 The CGGI team will also share insights – for the first time – on trends in the global governance competition, drawn from CGGI data in 2024 and previous years. 🖥 Register to watch the livestream here: www.CGGI.com 📍 Want to attend the event in London? Email to register your interest at RSVPCIG@sanctuarycounsel.com #chandlergoodgovernmentindex #cggi2024 #goodgovernance

🚨 Calling all Restoration Contractors! 🚨 Just returning from an incredible week with the Restoration Industry Association (RIA) Board of Directors, where we’re shaping the future of our industry. From working with TPAs and drafting white papers to collaborating on pricing adjustments with estimating platforms, the RIA is moving the needle for everyone. Even large companies like ATI Restoration and Servpro believe in the RIA's mission to improve lives and our industry. We’ve made significant progress, including key wins from recent meetings, but there’s so much more to do—and we need your help. Why join? By engaging with the RIA, you’ll influence industry standards, build powerful relationships, and contribute to something larger than yourself. Want to do more? Join a committee, or even run for a board position. Here are a few committees you can join: Here’s the organized list of the Restoration Industry Association Standing Committees and Task Forces: 1. Standing Committees 1.1. Convention Planning Committee 1.2. Education Committee 1.3. Finance Committee 1.4. Membership Committee 1.5. Nominating Committee 2. Advocacy & Government Affairs (AGA) 2.1. AGA Advisory Board 2.2. AGA Canada 2.3. AGA Task Forces 2.3.1. AGA Academy Task Force 2.3.2. AGA Carrier Relations Task Force 2.3.3. AGA Independent Pricing Task Force 2.3.4. AGA Legislative Task Force 3. Micro-Volunteering Opportunities 3.1. Social Media Ambassador 3.2. Content & Blog Post Development 3.3. Membership Recruitment & Promotion 3.4. Technical Content Review & Writing Visit https://lnkd.in/gyc3Pn96 to learn more and sign up. 📩 Reach out directly if you’re interested: info@restorationindustry.org Membership is $299, and we need 100% involvement from national, regional independents, and franchisors. Let’s grow together and shape the future of the restoration industry. Restoration Industry Association, Kristy Cohen, Katie Smith, CR, Marcie Richardson, Mark Davis, Anthony Nelson, Nicole Seargent, Russ Palmer, Frank Mirabelli, 🚂 Brendon Rumsey, Justin Woodard, Kelley Dolan, Matthew Preston, Clare MacNab, CEM, CMP, Ben Looper #RestorationIndustry #JoinTheRIA #IndustryLeadership #VolunteerOpportunities

Today was my catch up day after the annual 6-day pilgrimage to DC for midyear or "Realtors Legislative meetings", the 22nd one I've done each and every May since joining the Realtor ecosystem in 1999. Three highlights: 1) We heard from our 2025 leadership candidates (good luck to them), and delivered the semi-annual member update (if you missed it, its 15-minutes long and at the one hour 17 mark of this YouTube video: https://lnkd.in/gFChsVgH). 2) The two days in between RRC and NAR BOD offer a great opportunity to have dozens of side meetings and catch up with so many great colleagues I've been blessed to know over time. One of the more inspirational meetings was meeting with the Ukraine Real Estate Association, where one of our instructors is donating their time to educate over 181 professionals there via Zoom. I also enjoyed catching up with colleagues from Mexico, Spain and France. 3) Finally, a takeaway from a colleague is that as leaders in associations, we are not there to win popularity contests and must first and foremost serve the organization and its members as a whole. We are not there to serve factions, narrow group interests, or to be a voice for certain constituencies. Ditto in the private sector (serving customers versus shareholders), politics (serving country versus social media followers), and this mantra applies across the board to any industry or organization you lead. Have a great weekend!

A Heartfelt Salute to #NationalIndigenousPeoplesDay On this special day, I’m embracing an Indigenous tradition of sharing knowledge. A wise First Nation community member once told me, “If you have knowledge, you share it.” As someone privileged to work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples, I’m eager to pass on what I’ve learned about our collective journey towards Reconciliation, especially in the context of the #TruthandReconciliationCommission #CalltoAction92. Learning from a True Leader The Honourable Murray Sinclair, Chair of the Truth and Reconciliation Commission, recently shared some insights. He emphasized that corporate leaders need to understand their role in the history and the damage done to Indigenous cultures, resources, and properties. This understanding is crucial for shaping the direction of Reconciliation from Corporate Canada. A Call for Change in Corporate Culture Sinclair’s message is clear: Corporate Canada’s responsibility extends beyond contracts and employment. It’s about a fundamental shift in our corporate culture - how we think, how we do business, and how we talk about each other and Indigenous resources. The Journey of Reconciliation In Sinclair’s inspiring words, “Reconciliation is a constant effort.” I’m committed to this journey, ready to learn, unlearn, and share my learning. Join the Conversation. For more insights from Sinclair, check out his full interview here: https://lnkd.in/gpBftpJb Here is the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action: https://lnkd.in/gnuUdswA

I need your help! I LOVE working feet on the ground, seeing patients improve, and watching you knock goals out of the park. I ALSO love working to leave our profession a better place than it was when I started. That’s where you come in! If you’re an NSCA member, I’ve been selected as a finalist for the Nomination Committee. The NSCA narrows this field to 4 potential candidates, then the members vote for their selected 2. The nomination committee recommends candidates for the board of directors, the president, and future nomination committees - meaning it would be our job to ensure that the people elected into those positions represent the values, motivations, and desires of the NSCA membership. I take that REALLY seriously - the NSCA has elevated my career in so many ways, and maintaining the integrity of this organization is absolutely a top priority. That said, you can’t get into that position without votes! It would mean the world to me if you could hop on and vote for me so that I can keep that promise of integrity and innovation to our members. Click my LinkTree here and you’ll see the link to vote - it takes <5 minutes and means more than you’ll know to me! I’ll also put my side note here that everyone on that ballot is 100% qualified for the position, *and* I will scream from the rooftops that women are underrepresented in the strength and conditioning world. I’d love to work to improve that balance - we rise by lifting others! Lastly, if you take the time to vote please share this post publicly here but also with any of your connections in the NSCA world/community - we all know how easy it is to scroll past these types of things, and that personal touch/request can make such a difference. Upward and onward! https://lnkd.in/gEP8fubp

I was heartened on hearing Sir Keir Starmer’s 5 July 2024 first speech as Prime Minister. And my hope is that his recognition of the need to change course includes that New Public Management approaches aren’t effective in dealing with complex, multifaceted challenges. And that there needs to be a move away from command and control and market mechanisms in public services. This includes moving from the transactional to the relational, as articulated in Changing Futures Northumbria vision of liberated public services and the importance of designing services with and around people.   In his speech, Sir Keir Starmer recognised that the lack of trust in politicians can only be healed by actions not words. We do need to see actions, but I also think that words matter and have been writing about this recently (see my Profile if you are interested in reading these articles). I understand that the word ‘civility’ comes from the Latin word civilis, meaning relating to public life and befitting a citizen. And I think that there is a need for curiosity and respect in our disagreements. My experience has been that politics, as shown in the media, has not been demonstrating this need, not least in the disgraceful and disrespectful show that has been Prime Minister’s Questions in the UK Parliament. You can disagree without disrespecting. There can be civility in your disagreements. And one thing we can all do in the coming months, irrespective of our politics, is hold our elected representatives to account for how they conduct their debates about governing our country. #civility #respect #disagreement #publicservices