The New Volunteerism Project

The Archival Collection of
Ivan Henry Scheier

1997 Notes Comparing
Window of Work to Job Factoring

Comments form Trainer and Consultant,
Nancy Hughes

1997 Notes Comparing Window of Work to Job Factoring
(page 73)

The Job Factor and the Window of Work

(These are for receiver and offerer of work, respectively)
At first glance, The Window of Work process can be seen as preparation for the acquisition of meaningful work, while Job Factoring is preparation for divesting oneself of less meaningful or downright onerous work.

But that would be oversimplified. In fact, along with the glad gifts and quests that hopefully acquire meaningful work, the Window of Work has no-nos to avoid or get ride of certain tasks. Also, taking the "wise why" (values) part of the window seriously would mean divesting the person of certain value-inconsistent tasks or projects as well as seeking value-consistent ones.

So, the Window of Work can readily be balance between acquiring appropriate work and divesting oneself of inappropriate work. The Job Factor, however, seems more slanted one-way towards divestment; its main checkoffs, "spin-off" and "team," are designed to divest the person of total or at least sole responsibility for the sub-tasks checked in this way. The other main category, "keeper" is for only that, and by no means necessarily requesting more of that task. So, thus far – and this is indeed as far as the process normally goes – the Job Factor process seems to be mainly for getting rid of work.

There are two things we might do about this. First, have the person doing a Job Factor also do a Window of Work, intended to "fill in the gaps," that is, to replace whatever work the job factor eliminates, with more meaningful work (via glad gifts and quests). This could, however make the process too complicated and time consuming. ** It might also be somewhat threatening to the job factor workers who are concerned that more work is about to be heaped on them.

A simple way might go something like this. For keepers, one circle around a task, as now, simply means don’t take this work away from me, not necessarily that I want more of it. If we now add the option of putting two circles around a task, that could mean not only don’t take this work away from be, but I’d like more of it.

** Some older versions of Job Factoring did allow preparers to list their quests and their dreams, but this part of the process seems to often be dropped these days. I’m in favor of reinstitution the dream part of the process, anyhow.

 

Comments from Trainer and Consultant, Nancy Hughes.
Personal Communication,
March 1998
(page 89)

A brief piece on The Window of Work published in the AAMV newsletter summer 1995 expresses my enthusiasm for that tool. I do not always include Wise Whys, but when I do, I shape the window like this.

Most of my training and consultation is done with organizations that have paid staff, and I infuse both training for organizations with paid staff and those without with your work, as I understand it. I still use the traditional vocabulary although I admit to participants that much of it is borrowed from other disciplines and that they are welcome to call "recruitment," "training," "evaluation, " etc. By any better terms they choose.

When the attitudes underlying the Window of Work are held, then volunteers are "recruited" for their glad gifts. Once people really "get it," they stop talking people into taking on work they do not really much want to do. This presents a huge challenge in working with agencies where the Director of Volunteer Services does "get it," but is working with an organization that does not. Right now I am working in such a situation with an agency that prides itself on being "product driven," although I see such a phrase as incompatible with their mission statement.

I urge the creation of a written philosophy of volunteer involvement. Susan Ellis’s FROM THE TOP DOWN gives the best help for doing this. This is to agencies what your written philosophy is to your work. Some agencies will not take the time and hard work to create a philosophy. Some will not take the time and hard work to create a philosophy. Some will and are stronger for it. One organization I worked with did face the truth about their beliefs; they decided against volunteer involvement, and I lost a job! (Some day I think they will involve volunteers; they got stuck in their belief that volunteer means amateur.)

The Window of Work works with secular groups and religious congregations. It works with tiny AIDS agencies and the Junior League. I did once meet with a cynical, disillusioned group who would not even listen to it. They worked with people who have developmental disabilities and were mandated by law to get volunteers to do something they themselves, did not believe would work. There are situations like this. There are Frank Millers out there. I try not to brood about them and to go on to find those who want to hear the Good News.

I welcome the opportunity to guest lecture at the University of San Francisco where students are getting degrees in nonprofit management. Often these adult students, on the road to becoming Executive Directors, have had negative experiences with volunteering. I can say to them IT DOESN’T HAVE TO BE THAT WAY and talk about Glad Gifts.

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Ivan Scheier
Stillpoint
607 Marr
Truth or Consequences, New Mexico, 87901
Tel (505) 894-1340
Email: ivan@zianet.com

For comments and editing suggestions please contact Mary Lou McNatt mlmcnatt@indra.com