OGL 481 Pro-Seminar I:

PCA-Ethical Communities Worksheet

Worksheet Objectives:
1. Describe the four ethical communities
2. Apply the ethical communities to your personal case situation

Complete the following making sure to support your ideas and cite from the textbook and other
course materials per APA guidelines. After the peer review, you have a chance to update this and
format for your Electronic Portfolio due in Module 6.

1) Briefly restate your situation from Module 1 and your role.

My role will be to assess the current organizational structure of WCK and

collaborate with others to have a sustainable strategy for successful execution to meet the
demands of future needs. Additionally, my role would entail gathering collaboration to
make sure there is a leader who can advocate and have the "political savvy" (Perusall,
2022) to deter unnecessary obstacles that prevent WCK from supporting these crisis
events. Lastly, establishing a platform where they can share stories to inspire others to
advocate, volunteer, or support in any means to create awareness of the work WCK is
providing globally.
With increased disasters occurring yearly, an organization like WCK is crucial to
ensure those impacted are not forgotten or waiting for a logistical solution while working
through the bureaucracy. Unlike many organizations focused on humanitarian efforts,
WCK is not hampered by financial or political implications because it is an autonomous
organization capable of providing immediate hunger relief to those in crisis.

2) Describe how the ethics of the organization influenced the situation.

I believe human resource ethics will influence the situation as Jose Andres stated,
"After a disaster, food is the fastest way to rebuild our sense of community. We can put
people back to work preparing it, and we can put lives back together by fighting hunger.
Cooking and eating together is what makes us human (WCK, 2022). To me, this speaks
volumes not just as someone researching the organization but also as awed by how they
can continue to sustain the efforts. Then, I realized it's because WCK treats everyone like
their family. And we know we would never let our loved ones go hungry or be in distress.

Our reading defined caring as"one person's compassion and concern for another -
is both the primary purpose and ethical glue that holds a family together" (Perusall,
2022). However, it wouldn't make a difference if the leader, Jose Andres, and others

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 leading these efforts did not role model the definition of caring. The caring process
differs from person to person; many people are left behind even when it's unintended. For
WCK, the human resource frame clearly is defined in the metaphor (extended family),
organizational ethic (caring), and leadership contribution (love). (Insert 2 Long Paragraph
Description Here to Earn Excellent)

3) Recommend how you would apply one of the ethical communities for an alternative
course of action regarding your case.

If I were to make one recommendation, it would be regarding the structural frame,

specifically in excellence and authorship. This recommendation is based on the lack of
information available for me to better understand the commitments and autonomy at
World Central Kitchen (WCK). But like any well-producing factory, WCK's ability to
minimize or eliminate hunger during times of crisis is astounding. The foundation is
solid; people receive proper training and can execute the plan. But my question is if these
volunteers, employees, and stakeholders accept and understand their role, and do they
feel empowered to adjust as necessary to ensure WCK is living up to its mission?

WCK's presence is appreciated and needed in our recent Hurricane Ian that hit
southwest Florida earlier this week. We hear about FEMA and other local organizations.
looking to provide support where needed. However, WCK's CFO and team were already
mobilized to assess and collaborate with other non-profit organizations to reach the most
vulnerable. With the growing global crisis, WCK needs to revisit its organizational
structure to build the capacity and capabilities of those who are familiar with specific
regions to have the ability to put together pop-up events. I wonder if Jose Andres
imagined the increased need for his organization after its debut in Puerto Rico after
Hurricane Maria in 2010.

4) Reflect on what you would do or not do differently given what you have learned
about ethics.

I would not do anything differently, given what I have learned about ethics. As I
reflect on what I have learned about WCK while researching, as long as they focus on
human resources and use that as its center for why they do what they do, they will be
seen as an ethical organization. Its only driver is to help others in need like what we
would for those we care about, our family. In another ethical frame, WCK carefully
avoids the political (jungle) elements because various levels of power do not challenge it.
Additionally, it has become a symbol of hope for those in these crises, knowing they and
their loved ones do not need to be concerned about when they will have their next hot
meal. Again, this is because the purpose and mission of WCK have been and will
continue to live out their belief that "food is a universal human right" (WCK, n.d.).

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 As mentioned in the previous paragraph, my only concern is how it will handle
the growing need for its service. Will it need to change the approach to ensure its ability
to continue supporting everyone in crisis, or will there be a time it would be challenging
for it to help on a global scale? Time and strategic management will be necessary for
WCK to continue its efforts.

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 References

Perusall. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2022, from https://app.perusall.com/courses/ogl-481-org-

leadership-pro-seminar-i-2022-fall-a/reframing-organizations-artistry-choice-and-
leadership?assignmentId=pZt5SBeRvrTNuzfcD&part=1.

Story. World Central Kitchen. (n.d.). Retrieved October 2, 2022, from https://WCK.org/story