This meetup was all about how to demonstrate the effectiveness of scrutiny. We tried a new liberating structure called Triz. And we tried using Google Jamboards for the group work for the first time. Both worked really well. Hooray! We also had a tenuous disaster movie theme. Matt likes to call Triz ‘Twister’, so that …
Nine minute networking Two rounds of nine minutes in threes (or fours) Talking points: What’s a piece of feedback you have been pleased about? How did you find out about something your organisation has done well? Triz (40 mins) The ‘Theory of Solving Ingenious Problems’ Also known as the ‘anti-problem technique’, sometimes identifying ways to …
Sponsored by ScrutinyMeetup #11: Deep impact: Demonstrating the effectiveness of scrutiny 14.00- 16.00, 4th November 2020 In this meetup we will be examining that thorny problem of how to show that scrutiny is making a difference (it is of course). It’s been suggested by more than one participant and we know it’s a tricky one. …
This meetup had a Star Trek theme because, you know, Star Trek. We did three, loosely connected, activities to help participants work through the issues (instructions here) and here are the points they shared in the chat. Hope it’s useful. What’s something your organisation has done virtually that has impressed you? We held a virtual …
Here are the instructions for Meetup #10 – all adapted from Liberating Structures. Nine Minute Networking (20 mins) Two rounds of nine minutes in threes (or fours) Talking points: What’s something you’ve done virtually this year that you are pleased about? What’s something your organisation has done virtually that has impressed you? Appreciative Interviews …
Sponsored by ScrutinyMeetup #10: It’s an inquiry Jim, but not as we know it. 14.00- 16.00, Thursday 8th October 2020 There’s lots of experience of great scrutiny inquiries but how do they work in a time of Covid? We’ll be giving you the chance to mull over exactly that question with fellow scrutineers …
Our sponsors for this meetup ScrutinyMeetup #9 – Executive Protocol In this meetup (yes, nine already!) we pondered how to make the executive / scrutiny relationshipship more constructive. In the video you can see a fishbowl discussion of this issue from the perspective of four different councils. Thank you to our wonderful volunteer fishes: …
Sponsored by ScrutinyMeetup #9: Executive Protocol 14.00- 16.00, 16th September 2020 Yes, we like that this meetup sounds like a Tom Clancy novel but strangely there isn’t an actual thriller with this title (I checked Amazon so I know). Anyhow, we will be looking at how to build a better relationship between scrutiny …
Ever wondered what gift to get for the scrutineer in your life? Yes? Well this is the post for you. At the birthday special scrutiny meetup we asked: “What is the best present for a scrutineer on scrutiny’s birthday?” Scrutineers are all different and all special and this is reflected in the replies ranging from …
In this birthday special we talked about local government scrutiny 20 years on. The main event is a fishbowl conversation with Ed Hammond (Centre for Public Scrutiny), John Austin (Association of Democratic Services Officers), Cllr Sioned-Mair Richards (Sheffield City Council) and Tracy Tiff (Northampton Borough Council).