Dynamic Team Q&A
Earlier this month, we held an event to update the Partnership on our governance evolution and how it aligns with our more audacious goal of transforming SVP Portland to be more equitable, diverse, and inclusive. We also introduced the concept of Dynamics Teams, a key part of our new model for engaging community in our decision-making. The robust discussion was led by SVP Partners and Board Directors Charlie Gilkey and Larry Fox. We want to share some highlights with those who were unable to attend, and you can find the Q&A addressing the governance evolution more generally here.
Q: What is a Dynamic Team?
A: A Dynamic Team is a group of people that come together to work on a short-term project with clearly defined goals and deliverables. These Teams are limited in duration and are formed in response to a specific need with a clear end date. Once it has met its goals, it dissolves. Dynamic Teams are responsible for making recommendations and decisions, but they are not responsible for implementation or performing work on a continuing basis.
Q: Why did we establish Dynamic Teams?
A: We evolved our governance model to include a Board with minimum responsibilities required by law that could then distribute power and decision-making to the Dynamic Teams and standing Teams. Work that may have traditionally been done by the Board will be distributed to those closest to the work and with the most relevant knowledge and expertise.
Q: What is the difference between a Dynamic Team and a Committee?
A: We no longer have Committees. Rather, all previous Committees are now called standing Teams. Dynamic Teams are short-term and project-focused, and may include members from the broader SVP community. Standing Teams are continuous and more geared toward design and implementation. The current Standing Teams are: Equity Team, Finance Team, Financial Partner Team, Marketing & Development Team, Partner Learning Team, and Portfolio Management Team.
Q: What is the first Dynamic Team?
A: The first Dynamic Team is the Advocacy Strategy Team, which will focus on defining our advocacy and influence priorities. It is based on feedback we received from Community Partners and stakeholders in the Fall of 2021 that SVP better leverage our network, privilege, and influence toward the shared goal of social and racial justice. Given that our goal of equitable access to high-quality, culturally-relevant early learning experiences requires systems change, advocacy is key to achieving this. The Team will be composed of a facilitator, and members with experience and expertise in the areas of policy and advocacy work, understanding of the local early childhood sector, and relationships with culturally-specific community-based organizations. We are actively preparing to pilot our initial Dynamic Team later this Spring.
Q: Who can participate on a Dynamic Team?
A: SVP Investor Partners, Community Partners, staff, and individuals with specific expertise relevant to a specific Dynamic Team can all participate on a Dynamic Team. This allows us to have participants who have perspectives, lived experiences, or expertise important to the specific work needed. Each Dynamic Team will also have a trained facilitator.
Q: How will we go about recruiting people for Dynamic Teams, particularly Community Partners?
A: For each Dynamic Team, the facilitator and SVP staff share the purpose of the Dynamic Team with Partners and Community Partners. We are a relationship-based organization and we want to leverage those bonds by reaching out and asking individuals with perspectives, experiences, or expertise that would be valuable to the Dynamic Team if they would like to participate. We are excited to know that we already have Community Partners interested in participating from our Community Partner surveys/interviews last fall.
We thank you for being a part of this ongoing dialogue about our governance evolution, and appreciate your commitment to helping SVP Portland work toward being more diverse, equitable, and inclusive as an organization. If you have questions or feedback, please contact Lauren.