Rotary Program: 11/30/05

Program Chairperson: Mike Morley

Speaker: Tim Campbell, Pike County Extension Agent for Community Economic Development

Tim Campbell holds a B. S. Degree in Math, a Master’s in History, and earned his Ph. D. in Economics from Texas A&M. He and his wife, Carolyn, who teaches Math at Pikeville College have two children. Among other activities, Tim loves hiking, weightlifting, and racketball.

Tim says he is speaking today on behalf of the Hatfield-McCoy Institute for Agreement Training, which will be holding seminars on February 27th and March 3rd, 2006 for anyone in the community who is interested in learning the techniques of mediation, negotiation, and facilitation to enhance the teamwork and performance of the staff and management of businesses and community organizations. Through the generous support of civic mined people and such organizations as the Rotary Club, there will be 16 scholarships available so that small businesses can afford to have this valuable information in the hands of their key employees and management staff. Ordinarily, the fee for such a seminar would cost nearly $3,000, but these scholarships will be only $400 each with the first priority given to Rotary Club members, Rotary District 6740, and Interstate Natural Gas. Tim says that most management personnel find that conflict is an inevitable part of the day-to-day operation of a business. With the techniques learned in the Institute, this conflict can be viewed as an opportunity to utilize the mediation process to resolve conflicts and formulate the basis for high performance teamwork. With a new way of thinking about the style of leadership in a business, the view changes from authoritarian and punitive methods to a more productive type of facilitative and servant leadership style, designed to get the most out of each employee and staff member. Other services provided by the seminar include instruction in business coaching and interpersonal skills that can train business management in mediation and conflict resolution that will ensure greater productivity and better relationships. Even situations like workplace bullying, absenteeism, and apathy can be addressed by an ombudsman that will come to the workplace and help mediate difficult situations that have not been resolved by other means. Staff member Stephanie Richards can even lead key staff members in role-playing situations that will help them learn how to apply the mediation and conflict resolution skills they have learned in real-life workplace situations.

These skills can prepare any business owner or manager in the identifying the criteria for the Baldrige National Quality Award, which distinguishes the best organizations in five of the eligible categories including: manufacturing, service, small business, health care and education. If anyone would be interested in applying for the Baldrige National Quality Award, Tim encourages them to check with him beforehand so that he can help identify ways to increase the likelihood that their business could qualify. He also encouraged each Rotarian to sign up for the upcoming Hatfield-McCoy Institute for Agreement Training as the scholarships are limited to the first 16 who apply. Good luck, Tim with this important endeavor for better business in our community. - JMC