BEYOND PMSA RESEARCH PAPER ON ORGANISATIONAL TRUST
For the uninitiated and for latecomers to this debate, the PMSA’s process of community “engagement” earlier this year was DEEPLY flawed and, despite numerous protestations by many stakeholders (who were completely ignored at the time), it was unreasonably constrained, secretive and conducted in a manner which prevented opinions from being freely and fearlessly expressed. As we stated at last week’s Town Hall meeting, it is absolutely incorrect to assert that the process was an exercise in seeking extensive feedback from stakeholders and school communities, particularly when no quantifiable data has been gathered, analysed and released to build “trust” in those claims. Moreover, the fact that the “engagement” process took place AFTER the PMSA had already unilaterally decided the scope of its own reform agenda (and had engaged consultants to advise it on that basis) totally UNDERMINED TRUST in the process from the very beginning.
The PMSA has produced NO measurable and verifiable data whatsoever to demonstrate that it enjoys significant stakeholder support for its reform agenda. It will NEVER do so. Beyond PMSA is exceptionally confident that the results of such enquiry would be massively damaging to the integrity of the PMSA’s entire reform agenda. Why do we know this? There are a number of reasons for this, including:
1. 600 physical and simultaneous online attendees at our Town Hall on 19 November 2018 – that’s a big Town Hall meeting however you choose to look at it – even bigger than November 2017 !;
2. Almost 1,000 views of the detailed 2 hour Town Hall event in the first 48 hours after it finished – and climbing;
3. Very clear survey data showing dissatisfaction with the current reform trajectory and an overwhelming absence of faith that the PMSA will successfully reform itself; and
4. A massive continuation of support from Beyond PMSA’s 4,500 followers.
Despite a “good faith” 5 month grace period given to the PMSA and the Churches to make progress on the real issues of concern to the community, it is clear that the Beyond PMSA community IS still the majority in this debate. And we represent the majority opinion in this debate by a MASSIVE margin. It’s a FACT that we represent the “mainstream” views of the PMSA Schools community, not the irksome views of a nebulous minority that simply can’t “move on”.
Many of our supporters have been vocal, and sometimes even we haven’t agreed with all of the voices and opinions – although we have always appreciated their passion for change. But the majority of you represent the “quiet” block who are standing strong and fueling us with confidence. From the many faces coming up to us unexpectedly at sporting events, functions, in supermarkets, or in the street and offering quiet unsolicited words of encouragement and urging us to “keep going”, to the avid followers online and to those of you who show your support and strength in person at meetings, Town Halls and rallies – we are exceptionally grateful.
Everyone we are talking to is still keenly interested in seeing URGENT and tangible progress on a getting clear compass point set for the reform trajectory. (Notice that people are using the terms “compass point” and “trajectory” – not terms like “implementation” which necessarily follows the preliminary steps of achievement of “BUY-IN” and attainment of TRUST !!! – or did WE get that one backwards?)
Don’t forget to fill in our survey – it’s vitally important for the PMSA and the Presbyterian Church to understand exactly how many stakeholders in our community are NOT fully behind the current reform agenda. We’re pleased to be doing that job for them through our own survey – a job that should have been done last January before the process started.
The survey is also an important tool which will let us know how you think Beyond PMSA is doing and what we can do better to fulfil the MASSIVE trust that so many of you have placed in us to deliver world class governance reform for our wonderful schools. We have been so overwhelmed by the extensive and heartfelt compliments and encouragement that so many of you have already provided in your survey responses, but we need many more to complete our data set.
Rest assured that we want your “buy-in” and we will implement our ongoing strategy based on your views, and your scorecard of our performance – which is really nice of us, considering that we are doing all of this as volunteers and we don’t run a $400 million plus business using your money!
We are not going away!!!
https://www.surveymonkey.com/r/BPMSACommunity2018
