FROM: Debby Cherney, Chief Executive Officer
SUBJECT: Professional Services Agreement for Organizational Effectiveness & Leadership Partnership with Vision Clarity Consulting
RECOMMENDATION:
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Recommend the Board approve a Professional Services Agreement for Organizational Effectiveness & Leadership Partnership with Vision Clarity Consulting in the amount of $57,500 to provide employee engagement survey services, executive performance evaluation support, and continued employee training and development, and authorize the Chief Executive Officer to execute the agreement.
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BACKGROUND:
SBCERA is committed to providing a positive work environment where employees feel valued, supported, and equipped to succeed. Understanding employee perspectives, providing meaningful feedback to leadership, and investing in professional development are important components of maintaining a strong organization and delivering quality service to our members.
In 2026, SBCERA partnered with The Centre for Organization Effectiveness and Seth Yelorda from Vision Clarity Consulting to provide a DISC-based Leadership and Team Development Series for all employees. The training focused on understanding individual communication styles, improving working relationships, and adapting communication approaches to work more effectively with others. The series provided employees with a common language and practical tools to support communication and collaboration.
At its July 16, 2026 meeting, the Executive Committee gave staff direction to provide a recommendation for a third party to help redesign and facilitate the performance evaluations for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Counsel which will include components of the employee engagement survey that was already contemplated in the current strategic plan.
Staff recommends bringing all of these components together under one professional services agreement with Vision Clarity Consulting in 2027 through an integrated approach that includes the employee engagement survey, executive performance evaluations, and continued professional development for staff.
The proposal includes four primary components:
1. Employee Engagement Survey
Vision Clarity Consulting will work with staff to develop, administer, and analyze a confidential employee engagement survey to better understand employees' perspectives on SBCERA's workplace, organizational culture, communication, leadership, and opportunities for improvement.
Using an independent consultant will help ensure employees feel comfortable providing honest feedback while maintaining the confidentiality of their responses. The consultant will provide SBCERA with an analysis of the results, identify common themes, and make recommendations to address areas where improvements may be needed. The intent is not simply to conduct a survey, but to use the information gathered to better understand the employee experience and identify meaningful opportunities to strengthen our workplace. This information could then be incorporated into the executive performance evaluations and goalsetting.
2. Executive Performance Evaluations
Vision Clarity Consulting will work with the Board to review and redesign the performance evaluation process for the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Counsel.
The goal is to establish a more structured and consistent evaluation process that provides meaningful feedback, recognizes accomplishments, identifies areas for development, and aligns performance expectations with SBCERA's organizational priorities. The consultant will assist with the development and facilitation of the evaluation process, while the Board will retain responsibility for evaluating the performance of its direct reports.
3. Continued Employee Training and Development
The agreement includes continued training for all SBCERA employees, building on the DISC concepts introduced in 2026. The training will focus on strengthening communication, collaboration, and working relationships while helping employees apply what they have learned to everyday situations.
A dedicated training session for managers and supervisors is also included to support their continued development and reinforce their role in communicating expectations, supporting employees, and fostering a positive work environment.
4. DISC Onboarding for New Employees
To ensure new employees benefit from the same communication tools and shared understanding established through the 2026 training series, the proposal includes DISC onboarding sessions for employees hired after the initial training. This will help new employees become familiar with the communication concepts already being used throughout SBCERA and support their integration into the organization.
One of the greatest benefits of working with Vision Clarity Consulting is the relationships and trust the consultant has already built with SBCERA employees at all levels of the organization. Through the 2026 training series, employees have become comfortable with the consultant and his approach, creating an environment where they feel more at ease participating in discussions, sharing perspectives, and providing honest feedback.
This established rapport is especially important as SBCERA prepares to conduct its confidential employee engagement survey. Having a consultant who employees already know and trust may encourage more open and candid responses, providing SBCERA with more meaningful feedback about what we are doing well and where we have opportunities to improve.
Additionally, over the course of the last several months, the consultant has gained a better understanding of SBCERA's culture, organizational structure, and the changes we have experienced over the past year. Continuing this relationship allows us to build on the work already completed rather than starting over with someone new.
Bringing these services together under one agreement also allows employee feedback, leadership evaluations, and continued training to complement one another. Rather than treating these as separate initiatives, SBCERA can use the information gathered to identify common themes, prioritize areas for improvement, and provide development opportunities that respond to the needs of the organization.
The proposal also provides the option to request additional services, including facilitated retreats, individual coaching, and conflict resolution support, as needs arise throughout the year. These services are not included in the base contract amount and would be requested and authorized separately.
The proposed agreement provides SBCERA with an opportunity to build on the progress made in 2026 while taking a more coordinated approach to understanding employee needs, supporting leadership, and continuing to invest in our workforce.
The established trust between Vision Clarity Consulting and SBCERA employees, combined with the consultant's organizational development expertise, and his familiarity with our organization provides a strong foundation for this work. By bringing these services together, SBCERA can gather meaningful feedback, strengthen its evaluation process for the CEO and Chief Counsel, and continue providing employees with the tools and support needed to succeed.
Staff recommends approval of a professional services agreement with Vision Clarity Consulting in the amount of $57,500 for calendar year 2027.
BUDGET IMPACT:
Costs for this item are not included in the current year administrative budget. The use of contingency funds will be required to fund this item
STRATEGIC PLANNING GOAL/OBJECTIVE:
Quality Employer and Workplace
STAFF CONTACT:
Debby Cherney
ATTACHMENTS:
Exhibit A: 2027 Organizational Effectiveness & Leadership Partnership Proposal from Vision Clarity Consulting