Running head: CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

Decisions! Decisions! PSYC-310-Organizational and Group Dynamics-Richard Hansen The Robert B. Miller College By Lori A. Shive November 11, 2013

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Table of Contents

Introducing Calhoun County Commissioners..3 How Creativity and Controversy is handled....6 Dealing with Conflict...7 Group Diversity-Effectiveness.........9 Reference page.......12

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Decisions! Decisions!

When researching decision making bodies (groups) and their purposes, the results vary in topics/issues along with diversity of groups. What make a group diverse? Diverse groups consist of cross-cultural members, different genders, and members with different experiences and/or different knowledge. A prime example of a diverse group is the Calhoun County Board of Commissioners which consists of seven members: Kathy-Sue Dunn (District 1), Terris Todd (District 2), Jim Haadsma (District 3), Steve Frisbie (District 4), Derek King (District 5), Blaine VanSickle (District 6), and Art Kale (District 7). Upon observing the recorded meeting of October 3, 2013 results show diversity among the group and the order of the meeting is quite simple and agenda is laid out as such: first the attendance role call is announced. Next the members all say the Pledge of Allegiance. After this the leader announced last minutes for approval. After this the meeting moves to the citizen time. This particular meeting no one spoke. After the citizen time the leader announces the order of business. Starting with the Water Resource Commissioner annual report, and summarizing, then maintenance, projects, outstanding issues, and financial information and ending with an agenda. The agenda consists of election of commissioners, extra reports/concerns, commissioner reports, final elections of commissioners, and ending again with a citizen time before ending the meeting. Introducing The first commissioner of District 1 is Kathy Sue-Dunn. Kathy was born in Calhoun and lived in District 1 her whole life. She is a family business owner and promotes being honest, open, and being approachable. Kathy has been married to her husband, Greg, for 29 years and

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS she has 2 grown children. Bud, her son, is married and lives in Battle Creek, her daughter, Suzanne lives in L.A. The second commissioner of District 2 is Terris Todd. Todd is a graduate of Western Michigan University, and is an instructor at Kellogg Community College plus a former

Administrator for Battle Creek Public Schools. Todd is very active in community services. He is a board member for Battle Creek Community Foundation, Civil Service Community, Battle Creek Fire Department, Inspire Community Development, Big Brothers/Sisters, Substance Abuse Council, and board of director county representative. Todd also is a Relapse/Prevention/ FSW at Starr Commonwealth along with an agent for Primerica. Todd is active in Battle Creek Area Transportation, Battle Creek DDA County Representative, Battle Creek Senior Branch, NAACP president and executive, Calhoun County Land Bank, and Solid Waste Committee County Representative. Todd has strengths in public speaking, community services, education/training Professional Development, building strong relationships, and a government liaison. Todd works for the Kellogg Company. He has a degree in Elementary Education and a Bachelors of Science in Educational Leadership. Todd thrives on creating job opportunities and helping educate the community. The third District Commissioner is Jim Haadsma. Haadsma is a Michigan Civil Rights attorney. Haadsmas hometown is Muskegon, MI; his parents were foreign missionaries in Zimbabwe. Haadsma learned his education in Michigan and in Africa. He is a Michigan State University graduate and a Wayne State University graduate as well. Haadsma is a business (law firm) owner and he has lived in Battle Creek since 1994. He is married and has 4 children. His daughter, Tess (18) is a colleague at Western Michigan University. His oldest son, Stewart (16) is a high school student at Lakeview High School. His middle son, Jon (14) is a middle school

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

student at Lakeview Middle School, and his youngest son, Jerry (11) is a middle school student at Lakeview Middle School. Haadsma takes pride in his children and they are all sports oriented. The fourth District Commissioner is Steve Frisbie. Frisbie is 49 years old and born and raised in Colon, MI. He has two brothers and two sisters and lost one sibling to cancer. Frisbie works for LifeCare for 28 + years. He is an instructor at Kellogg Community College, a volunteer fireman, a chair of the Pennfeild School Education Board, Pennfield Exchange Club, rocket football head coach, youth baseball coach, and a Miller College Graduate (2009). The fifth District Commissioner is Derek King. King is a small local business owner, and born and raised in Calhoun County. King is a Harper Creek High School graduate, an Emmett Township Trustee, a former juvenile Liaison for Battle Creek Police Department. Some of Dereks interests include, but are not limited to, fixing roads, reducing wasteful spending, protecting the livelihoods of our community farmers. Dereks mission is to promote business and job growth. The sixth District Commissioner is Blaine VanSickle. VanSickle is the elected Drain Commissioner Representative. Blaine is also the Legislature Chair, a Marshall Republican, a member of MACDC Executive Board, seated on the State Board, and he has an agricultural background. VanSickle was most difficult to find his information. The seventh District Commissioner is Art Kale. Art is a local business owner, a National Sales Manager, and General Manager of a Manufacturing Company. Kale is a graduate from Albion College and played baseball taking them to a league championship. Kale is also a member of the City of Albion Recreational Board; he is involved with youth by coaching baseball, hockey and assisting in youth camps. Kale is married and has two children and one grandson.

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS Overall, through listening to the meeting and researching the commissioners, it is determined the commissioners are respectful to one another, and shared ideas freely without much resistance from other members. The commissioners interacted professionally and each

spoke openly on topics of their districts interests or concerns. Each commissioner reported and brought attention to any new concerns within their district. Time seemed to be shared equally and each commissioner was allotted equal time to share the reports and concerns. The meeting was organized and carried out successfully, and with professionalism and directness to finish all of the agenda.

Creativity and Controversy The Calhoun County Commissioners Board consists of a diverse group of members. How do these members deal with and use creativity? What is creativity? While observing the Calhoun County Board it is difficult to determine if there is creativity; however, in the book, Joining Together by authors, David W. Johnson and Frank P. Johnson it quotes Participating in a controversy tends to result in greater attitude change on the issue under discussion than does participating in concurrence seeking, no controversy, or individualistic efforts (Johnson & Johnson, 2013, p. 321). These authors suggest controversy and creativity enhances group goals. The Board of Commissioners is diverse in gender, age, background, and ethnicity which naturally will present creativity in controversy. Each board member represents and advocates for their District. The board member merely presents the issues and summarizes what issues are being addressed or of concern within their represented District. In the book, Joining Together, the authors quote Creativity tends to be social, interpersonal, not individual (Johnson & Johnson, 2013, p. 344). This quote suggests creativity

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS is more a social aspect and involves others to perfect it, reject it, or accept it. This particular

group seems to not have much discussion during the actual meetings. The members present and summarizes and the next member follows until all members have had an opportunity to address the issues of concern within their own District. Summaries note the positives and negatives about the issues and then other members have a chance to ask questions about the issues being discussed. Throughout the meeting, only one member went into further questioning of the other member but not in an argumentative way more to clarify the details of the issue, such as estimated date to begin or end a project. From the observation at this point, it is evident the group is somewhat individualistic but the individual is representing an entire District. Their findings and results have been previously discussed within other sub groups or in their District. The other members listen, review, and accept or reject the issues being addressed. Although discussions on issues are very limited or non-existent; nevertheless, the relevant information is presented and decisions are made promptly. Many times decisions are made too quickly and things get overlooked. An example in the book Joining Together talks about the Challenger. In this particular situation a decision was made very promptly in order to preserve schedule and it ended up costing lives, therefore the discussions on issues in a group need to be talked about thoroughly and finalized with all members. All issues should be taken very seriously and as a goal for the group. All members need to be heard and any pitfalls should be discussed prior to any decisions or elections about the issue presented. Conflict The Calhoun County Board of Commissioners is diverse in gender, power, and leadership. Having this diversity among members produces more creativity as well as

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS constructive conflict.

The committee is made up of seven members, each with different roles

within their personal life. An example of conflict might be if one member doesnt want to support another members position on an issue because it seems to discriminate against the majority of people in their district. This could create conflict and would have to be handled appropriately. Each member has goals for the districts they represent. Each member acts as an advocate to address or expose issues present within their districts. In order to achieve

constructive conflict within the group, each member is given ample opportunity to discuss or dispute any other members issues or projects suggested. Members openly discuss and contribute ideas to problem solve the issues addressed. Some issues are undisputed and simply voted as important or priority issues or voted down. Goals are set and each member is responsible for implementing project ideas and addressing issues within their district. Members work together once a goal has been set. Most conflict is handled somewhat with an agreeing or undisputed manner. The members use respect and trust the other members are knowledgeable and familiar with the issues they have presented, and tend to agree. Constructive conflict is present in the group because the group members trust one another and the leadership is equal among the committee. Conflict isnt evident or prominent in the meeting; however, the group has established respect and rapport for one another and work together to solve the community issues. Conflict in this group is somewhat limited because the time limits tend to favor members ideas versus citizen time which is limited to three minutes. It would deem difficult to address or expose an issue in only three minutes, therefore the probability of conflict is lessened in the meetings partially due to the time constraints; however, in observation the citizen time was not utilized and no one wanted to address any issues.

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

When evaluating or analyzing how the committee addresses conflict it is difficult to anticipate how members would handle conflict. The pattern of each member openly sharing summaries and projects suggest the members present are all in agreement. Each member is familiar with the issues they are summarizing and sharing to the others. Overall, there was not much evidence of conflict within the Calhoun County Commissioners Board meetings. Consequently, members openly discuss issues without much debate or dispute but with using an open discussion style. Some members asked questions of the other members but more to clarify the project or issue than to dispute or disagree with the other member. Members have

established respect for one another and tend to trust the other members. Perhaps, each member has invested much of their time to their own districts problems; therefore, seemingly, spend less time or investment in the others districts issues. Members are focused on the issues within their district and utilize their time and efforts more to advocate their own district rather than spending time disputing issues they may not have researched and/or unfamiliar of the issues presented. They are dependent on the other members competency and will generally trust the other members decision on the issue(s). The committee members display respect and work together to resolve conflict and solve issues within the community. Diversity Being an American means respecting diversity while preserving Civil Rights, Equality, and Justice. The Calhoun County Commissioners Board is diverse in gender, cultures, and social status; this diversity creates positive group cohesion. For instance, each member shows respect by trusting other members and rapport develops. Each group member is free to discuss issues, debate issues, and research issues. Members utilize resources to be competent and confident on ideals or projects to be implemented for the community they represent. Once

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

10

rapport has developed and the group has developed a strong cohesive relationship the group will be most effective. Effective groups have diversity within their group. Diversity creates effective groups by maintaining American Civil Rights, Equality, and Justice for all. In the book Joining Together by David Johnson & Frank Johnson it is quoted To be an American is to adopt a set of values concerning democracy, freedom, liberty, equality, justice, the rights of individuals, and the responsibilities of citizenship. (Johnson & Johnson, 2013, p. 434). The Calhoun County Commissioners Board represents America by utilizing diversity as a group. The group has the right to freedom of speech, to be an equal contributor, and to decide or vote on community issues. However, in observation of group, diversity can be improved by adding more citizenship time. Members could encourage citizens to become more involved with meetings. Citizens should utilize the meetings to better represent the whole of their community. For instance poverty stricken communities are in desperate need of improving their finances, the member may suggest an improvement. They may demand more effective and available programs to help citizens develop better working skills in order to increase work wages. Exercising citizenship in America is part of being an American although all Americans are different. For example, some are English, Japanese, or Mexican. America is the most diverse country in the World. America thrives on diversity. The Calhoun County

Commissioners Board could be more diverse by having a more cultural cross mix of members. Currently, the members are Caucasian and African American. Perhaps this group needs more culturally diverse members. Fortunately, the group rotates members every two years which creates new members with new cultural backgrounds.

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS

11

Overall, the Calhoun County Commissioners Board group has diversity and continuously is changing its members to keep diversity in the group. The Calhoun County Commissioners Board represents an American democracy by majority vote, research and resources, and determining priority and project expectations. The group has the freedom, as American citizens, to exercise their Civil Rights, to share ideas openly, and to develop better communities without compromising citizenship, equality, or justice. In concluding with the observation of the Calhoun County Commissioners board, the result is positive for the community. The members are fair and create ideas to improve

communities and adhere to a professional style of carrying out decisions and yield successful results. The diverse members use conflict, controversy, diversity and as a group utilize their resources and power to create projects and implement improvements for each of their districts which they represent. The American people deserve democratic representation and this group upholds to fair representation. Americans can rest assure this group is exercising American rights.

CALHOUN COUNTY BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS References http://www.calhouncountymi.gov/videos/# http://www.jimhaadsma.com/?cat=4&paged=5 http://www.kathysuedunn.com/ http://www.linkedin.com/pub/terris-todd/23/43a/527

12

http://www.calhouncountygop.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=8&Itemid =4 Johnson, D. & Johnson F., 2013, Joining Together, Pearson Education, Inc., Upper Saddle River: New Jersey