VA2EL

The Portfolio directly addresses the local councillors. In a first step they should reflect on their motivations and reasons to work with the portfolio method, to fill out the manuscript and gather all the necessary documents. A well founded explanation of the portfolio method will introduce the user into the process of the portfolio. The interactive process of the portfolio is continued with a reflection of the motivations for becoming a local councillor and for executing the mandate for several years.

Subsequently the user continues the process of reflecting his/her experience in drawing a time line of his/her political career. This will be supported by a couple of self-reflexive questions, which should be answered by the councillor himself. With filling out a table summarizing the status quo of political responsibility, one of the main parts, the identification of competences, is introduced.
In this part of the portfolio, the user is asked to work with a list of competences, which she/he might have been developed by fulfilling a local mandate. These are competences both acquired or developed. The list of competences is organised according to five main topics: communication, administration/budget/accountancy, management/organisation, management/implementation of projects and analysis of public needs.
The local councillors now have the task to rate the competences according to the respective development. The user can give examples for each of the competences s/he considers relevant.
In the last step of the portfolio the users are asked to reflect on what aspects of their experience they can take along to the professional labour market. The local councillor is asked to think about up to three competences s/he wants to further develop or acquire. These three competences e.g. can be essential for a new job or for the successful continuation of the present job. The user is invited to set up some realistic, personal goals including a time limit to create a concrete action plan. These goals are to be achieved during the mandate as local councillor.