Shared Commitment
Shared Commitment
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
Cultural North Star values help us build and maintain a positive, team-oriented culture, which is critical to our ability to achieve our mission and also vital to our well-being and cohesion as a community. 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
