SHARED COMMITMENT

A group of UCLA Health staff and faculty surround the winner of the inaugural Cultural North Star Award

The shared values of the DGSOM are expressed in the Cultural North Star, which was developed by members of our community and affirms our abiding commitment to doing what’s right, making things better and being kind. These are the standards to which we hold ourselves, and one another.

We are working to infuse every level of our organization with these principles and building a community around the values is our first step.

Cultural North Star in Action Grants

Building upon the Cultural North Star Awards, the Cultural North Star in Action Grants (CNS Grants) are designed to operationalize our shared values by building community and fostering a shared understanding of the 12 CNS purpose statements. The CNS Grants will provide intentional opportunities to activate, educate, and empower change agents across the DGSOM. Activate a team by applying for a CNS Grant Today!​​​​ 

  • Five ($3,000) grants available.

  • Applications accepted thru March 31, 2023.

  • Applications reviewed in April 2023.

  • Grantees will be notified in May 2023.

  • Funding period begins July 2023 and ends June 2024.

Goals

Analyze; Identify, Cultivate; Reinforce

Identifying and developing change agents that will catalyze efforts to operationalize the CNS pillars at all levels within DGSOM, bolstering efforts to create a functional and flourishing culture.  

Analyzing our current organizational culture transparently as a community so we can co-create a positive, mission-driven culture built upon the CNS pillars of doing what’s right, making things better, and being kind. 

Cultivating organizational conversations about operationalizing the CNS pillars at all levels within DGSOM to encourage transparent dialogue and create positive feedback loops to bolster change efforts and ethical learning. 

Reinforcing the commitment to continuous improvement through interdisciplinary collaborations focused on operationalizing the CNS pillars and cultivating organizational resilience through engaging and empowering change agents at all levels within DGSOM. 

Purpose

The Cultural North Star in Action Grants will support education, research, community engagement, and clinical care to:

  • Build capacity
  • Operationalize CNS Pillars
  • Amplify Community Strength
Three overlapping circles stating: Build Capacity; Operationalize CNS Pillars; Amplify Community Strength

There are no restrictions regarding the team composition other than members must be DGSOM faculty, staff, trainees & students that are current, emerging, or curious change agents: 

  • Brimming with innovative ideas that need a launching pad. 

  • Willing to operationalize the CNS pillars to co-create a positive, mission-driven culture. 

  • Ready to mobilize and eager to build community by collaborating with other innovators in DGSOM. 

The award period will align with DGSOM’s fiscal year, beginning in July and ending in June.  

The monies should be used to support the proposed work operationalizing the CNS pillars. Monies can only be utilized towards non-payroll expenses and within the award period. Eligible categories are listed below: 

  • Development/Training 

  • Food & Beverage 

  • Guest Lecturers 

  • Non-Cash Awards 

  • Project Specific Office Type Supplies  

  • Professional services 

  • Other allowable costs 

In addition to time spent on the proposed work, grantees are expected to attend the following in-person mandatory events: 

  • Orientation: July 

  • Program overview and team building exercises.  

  • Retreat: January 

  • Report outs from grantee recipients and team building exercises. 

  • Year in Review Celebration: June 

  • Final report out from grantee recipients celebrating their accomplishments and lessons learned. 

Grantees will also submit two mandatory virtual progress reports via Smartsheets as follows: 

  • Virtual progress report #1: October 

  • Virtual progress report #2: March 

Both departmental JEDI Plans and the DGSOM Antiracism Roadmap can offer helpful guidance for teams looking to operationalize our shared values. Applicants are welcome to utilize these resources as propose transformational projects that will help us along our journey towards co-creating a culture of justice, equity, diversity and inclusion in the DGSOM.

Pre-award workshops will be held during February and March to provide educational resources and support to those interested in applying for the CNS Grants. In addition, these workshops will serve as opportunities for community building and near-peer mentorship to bolster change efforts across the DGSOM.

Map your actions to our guiding values

Incorporate CNS into:

  • Daily conversations
  • Emails and interactions
  • Decisions, big and small
  • Collaborations, within your team or across our organization

Make an individual pledge

Choose the pillars and share the action(s) you will take to bring CNS into your daily actions and interactions. Your commitment can inspire members of the DGSOM community to unite around our shared mission to heal humanity.

Make A Pledge

Try some Cultural North Star practices

  • Start team meetings by reading the Cultural North Star.
  • Take a Cultural North Star “time out” during crucial conversations.
  • Highlight the Cultural North Star throughout the recruitment and professional development process, such as in offers letters, interviews or awards.
  • Attend skill-building opportunities as they become available.

Recognize Someone

We all know those people who go above and beyond – who see a challenge as an opportunity, who remain kind and collaborative in the face of conflict, and who exemplify the Cultural North Star in their work, actions, and interactions. So take a moment to recognize them.

Grab a physical recognition card at one of our Cultural North Star recognition stands.

Recognize Someone

Join a Coffee with the Dean

Coffee with the Dean is an ongoing series of virtual sessions where 10 select members of the DGSOM community can engage in an open dialogue with Interim Dean Steven Dubinett on our culture, shared values, and diverse experiences.

Events

Be a brand ambassador

  • Post the Cultural North Star flyer in your work/study space.
  • Set the Cultural North Star as your desktop wallpaper.
  • Participate in Cultural North Star training opportunities.
  • Wear your DGSOM Cultural North Star lanyard.

For Cultural North Star marketing assets, visit the Downloads page. 

Downloads

Stories define us, actions change us

Small group at CNS event

"I look at the Cultural North Star pillars as a three-legged stool. I can measure my behavior against them at all times. When I’m writing an email, participating in a meeting or having a 1-1 conversation, I ask myself, ‘Am I Doing What’s Right, Making Thi...

Group talking at CNS event

"I have started using the Cultural North Star to address employee performance issues more directly, drawing on the principles that we are strongest when we show empathy and we have the courage to be honest. Even though those conversations are difficult an

Woman smiling at CNS event

"The Cultural North Star has reframed my thinking about how I approach challenges. I’m working on remaining curious and listening to understand when I encounter a difficult situation.”

Group of people at CNS event

"When team members have differences of opinions, I am encouraging them to continue to engage in dialogue even though they disagree. This has begun to change the culture in our group, moving away from gossip and inefficiency to a more transparent and produ

CNS event held in auditorium

"I have started referencing the Cultural North Star at the beginning of my recurring committee meetings, reminding everyone to hold themselves and others accountable. I’ve noticed a huge difference in the way members of these committees interact when I us...

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