Fanning Institute for Leadership

... represents non-partisan voice of the county
... informs and involves diverse citizenry (race, gender, age, socio-economic, geography, professions)
... brings together a network of top talent
... cultivates future members of local boards and authorities
... provides awareness of issues shaping the future
... serves as a forum for issues discussion
... promotes access to top political, business and civic leaders
... leverages local initiatives
... expands the base of local volunteerism
... creates mentors and coaches for youth leadership
... orients newcomers to the county
... directs efforts towards community success

Leadership PLUS

WHO?
Citizens both with and without disabilities and people, organizations, and businesses that make up a community are invited to participate in this specialized leadership program designed to increase knowledge, improve skills, and develop relationships for community betterment.

Participants are provided opportunity to develop and enhance their skills as individual leaders, as members of teams and as leaders within their communities. The 15-hour curriculum is divided into eight units, which can be introduced in a retreat setting or taught as "stand alone" topics throughout the course of a Leadership PLUS program.

WHAT?
Orientation
The purpose of this session is to welcome participants, provide them with a brief overview of Leadership PLUS, and encourage them to get to know each other. It includes an ice-breaker exercise designed to get participants to mix-and-mingle and to become acquainted personally and professionally.

Lesson 1 Understanding Leadership
Participants are invited to "think leadership." They are asked to define leadership and are introduced to leadership theories, J.W. Fanning's Pillars of Leadership and the tasks of leadership.

Lesson 2 Self-Assessment: What Kind of Leader Am I?
This session introduces participants to a variety of leadership styles and asks them to answer the question: "What Kind Of Leader Am I?"

Lesson 3 Exercising Collective Leadership
Participants are introduced to the concepts of teamwork and collective leadership. They work together as a leadership team to solve problems.

Lesson 4 Appreciating Differences
Participants reflect upon their own and others' values and come to a better understanding about ways values affect both individual and group decisions.

Lesson 5 Effective Communications
This session reminds participants that the ability to communicate effectively is one of the most critical skills a leader can possess. Exercises are provided for participants to practice and develop their communication skills.

Lesson 6 Establishing Community Partnerships
This session acquaints participants with the concepts of community leadership and community partnerships/collaboration. Participants reflect upon and discuss community leaders in action.

Lesson 7 Putting It All Together
In this final session participants assess their community's needs, come to a better understanding of the "power of vision," and create their own vision for the community.

HOW?
The instructional approach is hands-on and experiential, with individual, small group, and large group activities. This methodology provides opportunities for considerable group interaction leading to self-reflective learning. Instruction is peer-influenced, rather than instructor directed. Formal lecturing is quite limited, with the learning being participant-driven versus instructor-driven. Assignments between sessions allow practice of skills.

The University of Georgia Fanning Institute has extensive experience in offering instructor preparation sessions for community instructors. Workshops on teaching the Leadership PLUS curriculum can be arranged by request.

The Leadership PLUS Instructor Guide provides an overview of material contained in the Participant Workbook and guidelines to use in teaching each unit. Individuals and organizations interested in establishing programs in their communities are invited to contact the Fanning Institute.

Leaders in the Humanities

A unique leadership enrichment opportunity which challenges participants to reflect on and examine their personal values, beliefs, and practices when exercising leadership in their respective settings.

In a 2 1/2-day retreat setting, preceded by advance readings, a small group of participants engages in a specific methodology to identify the values they bring to their reactions to leadership behaviors in up to seven widely-ranging cases. The seminar is appropriate as advanced leadership training for committed local leadership alumni or for intact groups such as school or organizational leadership teams.

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