Author: Skills Team

Much of our work in Employment Services is being with people while they are at various stages of making change in their lives. 

We all are interested in change at some time or another; whether we want to lose a few pounds, improve our knowledge, engage more with our family or community, or make serious changes like stopping drinking or doing drugs. 

Human behavior through the change process has been observed and a Model of Stages developed to understand the processes that people go through in making changes.

In the Pre-Contemplation stage, individuals are not even looking at change.  The may not see the problem or view the behavior as a problem.  

As an individual moves to the Contemplation stage, they may now be opening their minds to the possibility that there is something that needs to change.  Individuals may now be developing a curiosity about the behavior and are looking at ways that change has been made in others.  They may be still on the fence and contemplation is not a commitment.  The individual may be weighing the pros and cons.

Moving into Determination, a decision is made.  There are now Action attempts at change being made, whether it’s setting out a dietary plan or joining a gym class, a bona-fide attempt is underway.  Small successes are being built upon and support from a network is welcomed.

Change requires time.  Action steps need to be built upon as new behaviors replace old. Chances of Relapse are present and successes in resisting temptations are important before lasting change is made.  This Maintenance stage can include relapse, and recycling back into the stage once again

The Termination stage is where lasting change is made.  The old behavior is no longer presents as a temptation.  Confidence is in place that learned behaviors are bigger than the temptation.  Success is at hand.

Change is hard but not impossible.  Understanding where you are in the process can assist in moving your behaviors forward through the stages successfully.

 Have you ever considered volunteering on a Board of Directors?

The Princeton Skills Centre is a Non Profit Society that relies on the participation and direction of a Board of Directors.  The board convenes once each quarter in March, June, September & December.  Periodic calls for sessions in between meetings is only as needed. 

The board hires, manages, and evaluates the Manager and approves the hiring and firing of employees at the recommendation of the Manager. 

The board speaks with one voice, not many voices; therefore without a quorum and a majority vote, a formal decision cannot be passed. 

The board does not handle the day-to-day operations of the Society but functions as a policy maker. 

They ensure effective organizational planning, mission and basic values of the Society’s contracts, programs and services.  The Board also serves as a final court of appeals for unresolved issues that may occasionally arise. 

The board approves the major goals/needs and the overall strategic plan of the Society.

The operational focus is employment services & job skills and training.  If this mandate is of interest to you, consider a conversation with the Manager, Sharan Jung to understand the operation and the role of the Board.  If you value training access, the employability of the available workforce, this will be interesting service to you.  

Reflecting on the activity this week around social media has us revisiting the importance of minding your online presence when you are looking for work, … well actually all the time…but it is especially important when you are looking for work.  A few misspoke words, a heated discussion, a flippant remark, all paint an impression of who you are.  Not only do employers search social media for “extra” information, but they also participate in online discussions and forums that you might also be participating in.  We are all over “free speech” but remember even Free Speech has consequences.

Here’s an interesting article written about some common errors made in the realm of social media.  Clean up your digital footprint when you are looking for work.  Set strong privacy settings, remember people are listening when you participate in online discussions.  Show Up in the best version of yourself.