My take on this issue is that 360 degree evaluations are here to stay. In fact, ICMA has endorsed the practice by making it a requirement for all credentialed managers at least once every five years. Their recommended on-line assessment instrument can be purchased for $245 athttp://icma.org/360
for ICMA members. Although the ICMA process is intended as a professional development tool, rather than a city council evaluation tool, I think it could probably be useful in both situations. The process works like this: you choose anywhere from 4 to 20 evaluators (including staff, peers, elected officials, etc.) and provide e-mail addresses for each. The ICMA service provider then sends an e-mail questionaire to each person which takes about 30 minutes to complete. The service then provides the confidential results to you, the ICMA member which you could share with your elected officials if you choose. Of course, there are many alternative models available. I used a facilitator in Albany to conduct one for me using my department heads as the evaluators. They shared confidential information to the facilitator using her form which was compiled and then presented to both me and the city council. The city council also completed their own versions of a survey and the results of both surveys were discussed with me in executive session. I found it to be a very positive experience, but I recommend limiting the surveys to top management personnel, council members, and perhaps other community leaders. Good luck.Steve________________________________From: Steven Weaver [mailto:sweaver@ci.carlton.or.us]Sent: Mon 9/25/2006 9:48 AMTo: Oregon City/County Management AssociationSubject: [occma] 360 evaluationDear fellow city managers:I am approaching my evaluation in October and the Mayor has decided to usethe 360 degree evaluation using surveymonkey.com. Apparently she enters allthe email addresses of the employees, council and planning commission andthey send out a questionnaire and they return it back to the Mayor with theresponses without giving names. I remember a discussion on the listserve awhile back about this topic but I wanted to respond to the Mayor in writingas to why a 360 evaluation is a bad idea. Any input would be greatlyappreciated?Thanks. Steven M. WeaverCity ManagerCity of CarltonP.O. Box 458Carlton, OR 97111Phone: (503) 852-7575Fax: (503) 852-7761sweaver@ci.carlton.or.us