Using the framework
Why use
The Framework for Relational Practice affirms UVic’s shared values for how we work together as staff and faculty. It is designed as a common foundation so that we can excel in our teaching, learning, researching and community-building.
The Framework:
- sets out shared understanding for what it means to be collegial, professional and relational at UVic
- helps strengthen relationships and addresses patterns of tension, mistrust or disconnection
- supports crafting and renewing unit standards
- informs and/or replaces existing codes of conduct
- prepares groups for stressful, difficult, or contentious discussions or planning sessions
- support leaders in coaching staff and faculty through interpersonal conflict
- provides a mechanism for accountability in resolving interpersonal conflict and disagreement
- supports UVic's commitments to reconciliation and the Indigenous Plan
- provides the foundation for greater equity and inclusion
- strengthens and/or resets the culture within a team, unit, department or faculty
When to use
Consider using the Framework when:
- recruiting new staff, faculty and members to your team, department or unit
- onboarding new staff or faculty
- establishing a new group, committee or unit
- planning or attending an annual retreat to facilitate conversations or transitions
- following a conflict with a peer
- following an interpersonal concern brought forward by someone you supervise or manage
- collaborating with another unit, department or group
- planning projects, in policy development or coordinated responses
- [before] considering an environmental assessment or review
- an environmental assessment or review has been completed
How to use
There is no single way to introduce the Framework. Individuals, teams and units can engage with the Framework in ways that fit their context, priorities and needs.
Contact us if you want to access the options below or have questions. A SharePoint site is in development to host them.
Options for getting started:
- Introduce – schedule a 75 min info session to introduce the Framework for your team/group
- Determine – if your group is ‘ready’ to implement the Framework by accessing our self-guided readiness assessment
- Implement – begin the process of implementing the Framework by scheduling a 3-hour facilitated in-person session that walks your group through:
- each of the values
- an assessment of individual and group-level strengths and challenges with each of the values
- a report to support focused ongoing work
- Converse – access our self-guided reflection and implementation toolkit and explore independently as a team how to build your capacity around specific values or bundles
- Facilitate – schedule a facilitated in-person session on individual values or bundles to build group capacity and accountability
- Evaluate – access self-guided evaluation templates to see what progress is being made in aligning values with behaviours
- Learn more – engage in focused learning on topics that support the ongoing implementation of the Framework on key topics including power, privilege and accountability by booking a workshop
- Access – get connected to related and complementary resources on campus
- Reach out – if you need more tailored options for you and your group