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<br />public surveys, and community engagement and visioning processes. It now seeks consultant <br />services to help its current Council and Mayor understand and value work style differences, <br />develop a stronger sense of team, and articulate a vision for citywide goals and accountabilities. <br /> <br />II. Goals and Assumptions <br /> <br />The Council wants to move quickly, be prudent in use of time and resources, and produce both <br />tangible and intangible results that will: <br /> <br />a. Increase the understanding, respect, and effective use of diverse learning and working <br />sty les <br /> <br />b. Build relationships and processes to support collaboration and teamwork among its <br />members as it provides leadership and oversight for the City <br /> <br />c. Help the Council articulate a vision for the City, set goals, and monitor progress over <br />time on its accomplishments <br /> <br />Assumptions <br />We believe the first step in building an effective consultant-client relationship is the clarification <br />of roles and responsibilities. An explicit statement of assumptions helps to do so at the very <br />beginning of a project. The following proposal makes the following assumptions: <br />1. Elected officials have limited time to spend and are often reluctant to invest in their own <br />development. This is especially true in times of restricted financial resources and public <br />concern over rising taxes and the value of government. <br />2. Conflict is a normal part of the work of elected officials, yet it is often avoided or <br />unresolved in a context of competing demands, divergent opinions and values, and the <br />need to model effective leadership for both the staff and citizens of the City. <br />3. Incredible individuals often make incredibly inefficient committees and teams due to a <br />lack of clarity of roles, focus on outcomes, and understanding of how to best use the <br />diversity of its own members' skills and personalities. <br />4. The demonstration of accountability and accomplishment of goals and improved quality <br />of life in the community is a shared goal, but often requires frank discussion and <br />compromise in order to articulate a cohesive vision and provide direction on priorities <br />over time. <br />5. The more the project can build on and use existing knowledge, processes of engagement, <br />community dialogue, and Ineeting schedule the more efficient and effective it will be. <br /> <br />III. Approach and Process <br /> <br />By using a combination of self-scoring instruments, three facilitated half-day sessions, pre-work <br />in preparation for each session, follow up summaries, and use of the existing work schedule, the <br />Council can achieve its goals with reasonable commitments of time and resources. <br /> <br />Step 1 : Getting Ready <br /> <br />A. The consultant will conduct individual interviews with Council members, Mayor, City <br />Manager and up to 5 additional persons selected by the Council. These interviews will <br />include introductions, exchange of background and experience, and the following questions: <br /> <br />· What information has already been collected/documented that would be useful for the <br />Council in setting a strategic direction and establishing goals for the City? <br /> <br />2 <br />