Application 10.1 – Motivating Change in the Sexual Violence Prevention Unit of Minnesota’s Health Department

Minnesota’s health department decided to undertake a five year strategic planning effort to address the primary prevention of sexual violence, for which there was a clear need. There were two driving forces for the plan; first, sexual violence was identified as a key health issue and grants were being provided to states for the development of primary prevention plans and second, Minnesota was a recognised state in sexual violence prevention work. The health department worked closely with Minnesota coalition against sexual violence for the achievement of two primary objectives; create a strategic plan for the primary prevention of sexual violence in the state of Minnesota and mobilise a broad range of individuals and organisations to take action in the primary prevention of sexual violence. In beginning the project, the unit hired a local OD consultant to facilitate the planning process. During their efforts the unit experienced setbacks which caused the project to have a rough start, as the unit director resigned and the program director and administrator had to step in to provide leadership with the help of the director of the coalition. However, they sought to hire persons most suited for the task at hand considering their credibility, expertise, character and position within the community and relevant representative groups. These formed a ‘steering committee’ that was highly integrated and involved in the efforts to bring the project to completion. The steering committee which consisted of project leaders, OD consultants, the health department and community members was then formed because of their good process skills and diversity to reinforce the commitment to the change process.

In generating commitment to change organisations must create a readiness for change within the organisation and also successfully overcome resistance to such change; which could be done in three steps. Firstly, sensitising organisations to pressure for change; pressures for change...