In the case of 'caring relationships' when intellectual cum rational concerns come into play, typically the 'gestural hand' turns up in the symbolism. This particularly evident in 'Eastern Spiritual Belief Systems' such a in Hinduism and Buddhism where 'the hand' is often to be found in iconography. 'Caring hands' are powerful symbols across 'cultural divides' and arguably usable in the 'value systems' espoused by local governance in a 'social science context' – eg. Launceston's. Unquestionably, UPR must be a KPI factor when evaluating a Local Govt's performance – no ifs, no buts!
Anyone who has experienced a serious ‘medical event’ will have experienced UPR albeit that they might not be able to put words to what they have experienced. Indeed, like ‘love’, its not anything you can describe but you know it when it is there, and thankfully it is, and it is all around us all the time.
Arguably, that is not entirely the case in regard to ‘professionalism’ in local governance. It’s glaringly absent at the City of Launceston’s Town Hall.
On the evidence, Launceston’s Mayor, GM/CEO and most, it would seem, of the so-called elected ‘representatives’ as well, regard their constituents quite differently to UPR. If the bureaucracy at CoL were to be put to the test in the way that the ‘caring professions’ can be they would find themselves in front of coroners, Royal Commissions and any number of professional accountability inquiries – and they would no doubt be found wanting.
It appears as if no longer does this council see it as their role to deliver on SECTION 2O of the Local Government Act 1993. Rather, it seems to see itself as a revenue collection agency, the ‘approver’ of developments that its constituency finds faults in and as a ‘operation’ well beyond the scrutiny of mere ratepayers, taxpayers and the press.
If the class of ‘professional standards’ applied to the ‘caring professions’ were to be applied to the governors and managers of ‘placemaking’ at Launceston’s Town Hall they would most certainly be deregistered – some might even find themselves in prison.
Tasmania's Huon Council and Glenorchy councils have been sacked, why not Launceston’s?
This Carl Rogers UPR quote described a way of being in the relationship as: “A caring which is not possessive, which demands no personal gratification." It involves an acceptance of and a caring for the client as a separate person, with permission for him to have his own feelings and experiences and to find his own meanings for them.” (Rogers, 1967)
For positive regard to be unconditional in a 'therapeutic relationship', the therapist must accept all of the client’s feelings and experiences equally and avoid making judgements about their value or validity. The same can be held true in governance albeit that politically there are often ideas in contest.
Using UPR
Carl Rogers believed that self-acceptance is a key ingredient for therapeutic movement and growth in therapy. Again, the same can be held true in governance albeit that politically there is often ideas in contest
Rogers elegantly captures the essence of this sentiment in this quote: “The curious paradox is that when I accept myself as I am, then I change.” (Rogers, 1967)
UPR means offering full acceptance towards clients, a constituency and others while operating in the their service – thus making growth and change possible.
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