Case studies of the use of Nominal Group Technique are analyzed, and an exercise with public administration students is reported suggesting that perceived levels of participation are higher in interacting than in nominal groups. Assumptions about the politics behind such methods are explored. (Author/CH)

Presents results of an empirical study of the effects of demographic trends on a local government occupational group--public welfare workers. Considers effects of these trends on managers' abilities to foster new ideas, to achieve affirmative action goals, and to ensure employee motivation, performance, and productivity. (Author/CH)

A discussion of both theory and practice of social work points out two problems: (1) social service departments are seen as a residual service and (2) public anxiety exists about nonaccidental injury to children. (ND)

Living in an information age, targeting the news media has become one of the most effective methods used by national service programs for transmitting information to the public. This report describes a strategic approach that can assist public relations departments to determine: (1) Who one's audience is and what their opinions, attitudes, and…

This document reports on a research project held in 2005, which looked to see how performance indicators related to area needs. It shows the results of research across four Learning and Skills Council (LSC) areas, with contributions also from national stakeholders and other witnesses. Findings include: (1) Performance indicators are regarded as…

This study furthers the discussion of teachers as public servants who are essential to the maintenance of the democratic state. The study demonstrates how teachers' actions on September 11, 2001 in New York City show the essential qualities of public service, including selflessness and placing the needs of others above their own needs. By focusing…

If museums and libraries are to compete for both public and private funds in an accountability-driven environment, they must develop evaluation practices that provide the most compelling picture of the impact of their services. The two essays in this document present clear arguments for the adoption of a specific approach to evaluation known as…

A review of the communicational duties of a practicing city ombudsman. (CH)

Public service employment is a cost-effective fiscal remedy in terms of jobs created within the first 12 months. Its effectiveness is enhanced if participants come from welfare or unemployment compensation programs. Other positive attributes are low inflationary impact and ability to be targeted to areas or groups. (SK)

Describes the efforts of St. Paul's School in Concord (New Hampshire) to join with local agencies and public schools to provide students with practical experiences and advanced programs. For its 125th anniversary, St. Paul's sponsored a series of seminar discussions on school effectiveness that included a national group of scholars. (WD)

Using public service time on local radio stations allows a community college to inform its constituents about college programs, services, activities, and personnel. (Author/MLF)

General university goals, especially that of public service, presumably legitimize extension's function. Various reasons are examined to determine why extension units are not accorded greater hierarchical status and fiscal support. Several implications for policy strategy are identified. (Author/BP)

Presents three papers addressing the topic of using youth volunteers in public libraries: "Teen Corps Reaches Out with Pride" (Yvonne K. Coleman); "Whose Teen Advisory Board is this, Anyway?" (Leila J. Sprince); and "It All Started in the Summer..." (Liz Baldwin). (AEF)

Presents a conceptual framework for studying authenticity in organizational leadership, highlighting the place of self, authenticity's centrality to effective leadership, organizations' need for authentic learning, and ways governance can facilitate or impede authenticity. This leadership praxis links leadership theory, practice, and ethics;…

Explores "service" as a continuum from charity to social change, and describes implications for service-learning in higher education. Based on a review of alternative theories, a student survey (n=83), and interviews with five practitioners, argues that there exist related but distinct community service models (charity, project, social change),…