GREAT BAY– The Preventive Health Department (PHD) has drafted a plan for capacity and team building, and it’s most recent session, a weekend retreat that took place at the Royal Palm Hotel, was a success.
The retreat was organized allowing 10 staff members from the PHD to interact in an environment outside of the work place setting and at the same time to hone in on their knowledge and skills in their respective function and responsibility.
The objective of the retreat was to strengthen bonds and recognize the importance of each other’s role in PHD and its overall contribution to the goals of Sector Public Health, Social Welfare, and Labour (VSA).
Other invaluable points that were addressed were, how to improve work relationships; management of stress levels; communication skills; release grievances and or exchange words of appreciation and encouragement; reflect and accept what fellow colleagues express; and to resolve differences and misunderstandings that exists or may have occurred.
Capacity and Team Building was included in the 2009-year plan of VSA.
Team-building programs provide realistic experiences that empower individuals to contribute to common goals. The success of most organizations depends on the ability of individuals to build effective teams.
The main goals of team-building are to improve productivity and motivation. Taking employees out of the office helps groups break down political and personal barriers, eliminate distractions, and have fun. The benefits of team-building programs are so significant that many corporations have incorporated teambuilding strategies into their standard training curriculum.
Capacity building is about developing the skills, knowledge, and the capacity of a workplace to respond to employee challenges and conflicts. In capacity, building each person takes a more integrated partnering role, bringing together his or her combined commitment and strengths in order to create a better work environment.
This can involve organizing a workplace social function, or as fundamental as helping a co-worker, dealing with a workplace conflict, to find the help they need. It is about each person doing their part to make a positive impact in the workplace.