Congrats to MPA alumnus Tom Tinlin!

Congrats to our friend Tom Tinlin on being appointed to the Director of Operations and Maintenance for Mass DOT.  See today's Boston Globe for the story.


http://www.bostonglobe.com/metro/2013/12/27/thomas-tinlin-menino-top-transportation-official-take-post-with-state/qigYcjwDc2Ng3P2MHXFqrN/story.html

From wise leaders

A few weeks back I had the honor of attending a celebration for my friend and colleague Ed Davis, who recently retired as Boston Police Commissioner. 

I listened closely to Commissioner Davis speak about his career, and in his reflections, I heard him echo the sentiments of leaders from various sectors, across time and place.   He talked about the importance of building a good team to help set and attain goals.  He spoke about the importance of relationships with diverse constituents - those who benefit from your public service, and those who you partner with to deliver those services.  He spoke about the importance of thinking - taking the time to think, and spending time with those who think differently.  And lastly, he spoke about mentorship - specifically, how he benefited greatly through mentor relationships.

These ideas should be of value to those who lead, those who manage, and those who participate more directly in the delivery of service.  I think we would all benefit from taking these ideas to heart in any role that we play, now and in the future.

Speaking of leading, here I am surrounded by winners - the Red Sox Trophies, and my good friend Capt. Kevin Sullivan of the Lowell Police Department

Job postings

Sharing resources and announcements of open job opportunities is a key aspect of this blog.  If you are looking, be sure to check out my job posting page on a regular basis.  If you come across a post, or have one to share, please email it to me at bbond@suffolk.edu and I will include it on the blog.

Happy snow day!

Research Opportunity with Boston Area Research Initiative

Interesting research opportunity
Boston Area Research Initiative

• Subject: Funding Opportunities for Graduate Students

The Boston Area Research Initiative (BARI) is pleased to announce two funding opportunities for area graduate students and to send along a reminder about a third. Applications for all three are due in January.

The opportunities are:

Research Seed Grants, which will support pioneering work by graduate students on novel digital data sets as part of a new NSF-funded project at BARI;

BARI Urban Doctoral Fellowships, which will support students collaborating with a local agency or organization during the spring semester; and

Radcliffe/Rappaport Summer Doctoral Urban Fellowships, which give area doctoral students the opportunity to work in full-time positions with the City of Boston or in other state and local agencies in the Greater Boston area.

More information about the grants and fellowships is below and on BARI’s website: www.bostonarearesearchinitiative.net.

Research Seed Grants

BARI is offering several seed grants of up to $5,000 for graduate students interested in using novel digital data sets about the region to carry out original research projects. The grants, which are part of a new NSF-funded project, are intended to stimulate pioneering work on data sets that are available from a public or private source and were not created for research purposes, but could provide valuable insights into the patterns of human behavior and society. Modified versions of the data sets that are "research-ready" will then be published in the BARI Data Library. Applicants can apply to work with data sets identified by BARI (listed on the BARI website) or to suggest another data set that is available to them, provided it is sufficiently novel, digital, and is about some aspect of greater Boston.

The application deadline for these grants is Monday, January 6, 2014.

Information on how to apply as well as more information about the grants, including the list of data sets identified by BARI and its partners, is available online at www.bostonarearesearchinitiative.net/SeedGrants.php.

Urban Doctoral Fellowships
BARI also is offering part-time spring semester fellowships for graduate students working on data-intensive projects that can improve both public policy and scholarship about key urban issues. If appropriate, fellows can spend a substantial portion of their time working directly with municipal departments or agencies, or other local organizations. As part of their project, the fellows’ main responsibilities will include: identifying relevant data on Boston from private and public sources; preparing that data for large-scale analysis; constructing a documented version of the data that will be accessible through the BARI Data Library; and pursuing original research with the data that might inform policymaking or scholarship.

The application deadline for these grants is Monday, January 6, 2014.

Information on how to apply as well as more information is available online at www.bostonarearesearchinitiative.net/urban-doctoral-fellows.php.

Radcliffe/Rappaport Summer Doctoral Fellowships
Finally, BARI is again helping support the Radcliffe/Rappaport Summer Doctoral Public Policy Fellows Program. Students selected as doctoral fellows receive a $7,000 stipend to work full-time in positions with the City of Boston or in other state and local agencies in the Greater Boston area. Fellows work with their supervisors to develop projects that are of immediate value to practitioners while also furthering their own research. The doctoral students also join the masters’ degree students who are Rappaport Summer Public Policy Fellows for weekly activities.


The application deadline for this fellowship is Friday, January 17, 2014.

Information on how to apply as well as more information is available online at www.bostonarearesearchinitiative.net/summer-fellowships.php.

Interested in a change?

Attending graduate school was a life changing experience for me.  I met an incredible group of faculty and peers who have become lifelong friends, and I have been able to apply the knowledge and skills attained during my graduate studies to my research and teaching.

If you are interested in making a change, and opening new doors, think about the Master's in Public Administration offered at Suffolk University.  Located in the heart of Boston, our program and faculty foster the development and advancement of leaders in all types of public service organizations.  Suffolk is a motivating place to learn and grow.  We are living  in an exciting time of reflection and development at Suffolk - see more in our Strategic Plan  http://www.suffolk.edu/explore/153.php

Winter is a busy time of year, and also a great time to reflect on your personal and professional goals.  Check us out online, then come and visit to see for yourself!

http://www.suffolk.edu/business/graduate/13465.php

Change is in the air in NYC

Many of us are very excited to see that Bill Bratton will once again be the leader of the NYPD.  For those of us who monitor the police scene across the nation, it will be quite interesting to see how Bill integrates what he knows about NYC and NYPD, with all of what is new about the policing world - terrorism, research to inform practice, new technologies, and just plain-old higher expectations from the community.  I for one am watching with a close eye see see if and how he changes the organizational structure, practices and outputs to reflect a 21st century police organization.  Good luck to him and all of those at NYPD who commit their professional lives to the safety of others!

http://www.nydailynews.com/new-york/william-bratton-named-nypd-commissioner-article-1.1538251

Job Doc chat Monday with Elaine Varelas

Hi All -

The following was advertised on Boston.com.  Not sure if anyone has seen Elaine's work before, but worth a look:

http://www.boston.com/jobs/news/jobdoc/2013/12/job_doc_chat_monday_with_elain_3.html

Why Boston MUST be a leader in closing the wage gap

According to a recent report from the city’s Women’s Workforce Council, women who work in Boston make 85 cents for every dollar a man makes, yet they come to the table with the same level of intelligence, education and commitment as men.  Women do the same work and have the same qualifications.   A recent story on WBUR highlighted an initiative created by Mayor Menino, established to be the leader in closing the wage gap between men and women.

This is an important story about equity, but also about values.  In contemporary society, could there possibly be a legitimate rationale for valuing men more than women?  Why aren't women fairly and equally compensated for their work and contributions?  I sure hope that my institution takes a good look at Mayor Menino's efforts and takes the lead for academic institutions in Boston.

http://www.wbur.org/2013/11/26/boston-women-pay-equity-push

Integrating creativity into your work and life

A friend shared the following post which offers some very interesting food for thought for those of us trying to be more creative and reach our full potential. 

Take a look......

http://www.fastcodesign.com/1671921/3-paths-toward-a-more-creative-life

Students in my Civic Innovation & Community Engagement course talk about a worthy class assignment

One critical aspect of the Master's Degree in Public Administration experience is tackling the real challenges of community engagement in government decision making.  Many of our graduate students are professionals working in a variety of public service positions.  For the majority of students, they view the idea of participation in public policy decision making from their lens as a professional.  In my Civic Innovation and Effective Governance course, I challenge them to take on the role of a community member and attend some type of public meeting.  The objective is for these professionals to see and experience participation from a different vantage point.

In their own words, they reflect on their experiences:

"Since moving to Framingham about a year and a half ago, this was the first time I had attended a public meeting regarding municipal services.  The process gave me a positive feeling about the way citizens are able to participate in local government.  The process was open and transparent, and the citizens who attended the meeting were engaged and able to offer their input.  I would like to become more involved in local politics and policy, and will plan to attend public meetings having to do with other topics, and I am also interested in running for Town Meeting."

"I attended the weekly community meeting that is held at City Hall in Boston, and the end result I consider myself to be very fortunate to have had the experience. Not only did I get to see the Ianella chambers, the very place where important issues in Boston are resolved, for the first time, but I was also brought up to speed on some important developments that are taking place in Boston as I am writing this paper."

"Residents who attended seemed fully engaged and invested in their community.  I think it was a perfect example of how to do things right in municipal government.  I also thought it was a very eye opening experience to be in the audience for once. To watch the facial expressions of the residents and hear how they responded to the town's ideas."

"For my meeting I went to the North End/Waterfront Residents' Association meeting. The organization is one of many such groups across the city that are considered advisory groups for the city to gauge residents views on local zoning, licensing and other neighborhood issues or concerns. The meeting was interesting and at the end of the night I signed up to be a member.  I've lived in the North End for five years, and worked in the area for eight years.  At first it was unappealing, with all the trash and restaurants and tourists. But after living here for so long, I've come to like it and I have a desire to get more involved to help the North End keep its appeal for future generations."

"The Subcommittee on Student Loan and Debt (chaired by Senator Eileen Donoghue) held a Student Listening Tour at Suffolk on October 21st, to receive critical input from students, administrators and education leaders. On a whim, I had signed in and indicated that I would speak. I nervously shared that I was making a mid-career change by pursuing a Master's in Public Administration.  I shared the anxiety of paying my loans while funding my daughter's education.  I believed that I was not alone in this situation and encouraged the subcommittee to not only consider the plight of undergraduate students but also the graduate students."

My fantastic Research Team

This year I am grateful to have such a fantastic team of graduate students working with me.  Here is my team working at the Lowell Library, scouring through 25 years worth of data on micro-film!

Angela is a graduate student from California, at Suffolk to get a joint degree in Public Administration and Law.  Brian is a graduate student from Massachusetts and is enrolled in the joint Master's in Public Administration and Criminal Justice, and Shaunessy is here from St. Louis as a student in the joint MPA and Master's in Political Science program.  Talk about an ambitious group! 

Job Opening: Leadership, Organizing and Action (LOA) Teaching Initiative Coordinator

About LOA Teaching Initiative, a project of Leading Change Network
Growing interest in education in civic engagement in colleges and universities across the US creates an opportunity to share pedagogy in leadership, organizing and action developed by Marshall Ganz (Harvard Kennedy School) and his colleagues. Taught at Harvard University, UMass Amherst, Wellesley College, Providence College, College of the Holy Cross, and Syracuse University, this approach can support students in learning civic skills through real-time, project-oriented reflective practice. This initiative is supported by the Leading Change Network (LCN), a collaborative of organizers, educators, and researchers (leadingchangenetwork.com)

Compensation: We are seeking a commitment of 15 hours/week through the end of 2014, to start January 2014, and with a stipend of $25,000. The Teaching Initiative Coordinator will work with LCN leadership on sustainable long-term funding to enable this one-year contract position to be viable into the future.

How to apply: Please submit resume and cover letter to maryhannahhenderson@gmail.com. Deadline: December 11, 2013

Thank you,
Marshall Ganz

Senior Lecturer in Public Policy

Webinar on evaluating organizational change in law enforcement

I've mentioned previously that I recently facilitated two webinars on organizational change for the Bureau of Justice Assistance through their Smart Policing Initiative.  Here is the link to the most recent webinar.


http://www.smartpolicinginitiative.com/tta/strategies-measuring-organizational-change-webinar-october-2013

A good idea when you are presenting something important

 Conducting an effective presentation can be a challenge when time is limited and there is much to say.  My own approach to presentations is still a work-in-progress, that's why I appreciate various tips on how to make a good presentation.  Check out the piece in the Brainiac blog on presenting your data!


http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/ideas/brainiac/2013/11/if_you_want_peo.html

Privatization of police...not that unheard of.....

http://www.npr.org/2013/11/15/245213687/with-robberies-up-oakland-residents-turn-to-private-cops

New Study on crime and social networks

http://www.npr.org/blogs/thetwo-way/2013/11/15/245458444/study-odds-of-being-murdered-closely-tied-to-social-networks

Sharing an article in the Lowell Sun about the positive discussions relative to the Lowell Police Department staffing challenges.


http://www.lowellsun.com/todaysheadlines/ci_24537304/lowell-council-backs-plan-put-more-officers-streets

IPS Women in Public Service Meeting

Don't forget we are having a Women in Public Service meeting on Monday at 6:15pm in 1008.  Hope you can join us...but don't fret if you cannot, we will meet again!

Massachusetts Conference for Women

Check out the agenda for the upcoming Massachusetts Conference for Women to be held on December 5th.

http://www.maconferenceforwomen.org/

You will also find a number of interesting videos and podcasts on the website.

http://www.maconferenceforwomen.org/podcasts/

Spring 2014 classes

For those of your interested in spring courses being offered in the Institute for Public Service at Suffolk University, I am teaching the following graduate courses:

Seminar in Public Safety
Grantwriting
Strategic Human Resource Management in Public Service

BJA's Smart Policing Initiative

Check out BJA's Smart Policing website
http://www.smartpolicinginitiative.com/


I recently facilitated two webinars for the SPI community and many others.  One was focused on organizational change, and the second examined various ways to evaluate organizational change- check them out

http://www.smartpolicinginitiative.com/tta/webinars