The Waccamaw Region Chapter
of the American Leadership Forum
Program Elements

Orientation and Overview (.5 day): The first session will provide a foundation for the ALF experience.  This session will include the following: the history and philosophical framework of ALF, overview of the aspects and issues in the Waccamaw  region and an introduction of a model for effective community leadership.
 
7 Minute Introductions/Civic Leadership (1 day): This session immediately follows the orientation and overview day described above.  In the morning, Fellows discuss the need for civic leadership and the importance of the common good in our communities.  In the afternoon, all Fellows engage in 7 minute introductions, an ALF tradition.  Each Fellow shares with his/her classmates information about who they are, the key influences in their lives and the legacy they wish to leave. 
 
Strength Finders (1 day):  This session will first focus on identifying individual strengths. Participants will then learn how to nurture and develop those strengths, both personally and professionally. Each class member will be given Now Discover Your Strengths by Marcus Buckingham & Donald Clifton and will take an on-line assessment to help determine their strengths prior to the session. Faculty: Candace Fitzpatrick, Core Clarity  
 
Wilderness Experience (5 days): The Wilderness Experience is the ‘glue’ for the rest of the ALF experience. The group will be immersed in problem-solving, physical challenges and personal reflection.  This powerful experience encourages Fellows to learn to trust each other and push themselves beyond self-imposed limits.  Faculty: North Carolina Outward Bound 

Dialogue/Having Difficult Conversations (1 day): Dialogue is essential to the work of ALF, bringing together diverse leaders requires the capacity to develop as a cohesive group while at the same time exploring difficult topics. This session will emphasize how to develop the capacity to have difficult conversations while remaining connected.  Participants will develop their abilities to listen more effectively, generate dialogue that moves a group forward, identify interests behind positions and develop creative options.  Faculty: Kevin McCarthy, ChangeRx.com  

Diversity (2 days): This session focuses on defining aspects of diversity: what values do participants hold relative to diversity and how an increased understanding of the impact on our lives helps one become a stronger collaborative leader. This session causes participants to assess closely held values and to learn how to fully include others who experience the world differently.  Faculty: Barbara Riley and Delyte Frost, Chambers Group 

Ethics in Community Leadership (1 day):  This session will explore the ethical dimensions of leadership, particularly as they relate to community leadership and the role of courage in ethical action.  Participants will continue to develop a deeper understanding of the common good by learning to define their core values and how they are best applied in future decisions. Faculty: Bill Grace  

Facilitative Leadership (1 day): Leading successful civic initiatives requires the skills of building consensus, listening, encouraging dialogue by all participants, and moving the group forward to action.  Many leaders know how to do this within their specific organizations, but do not know how to ‘move’ a community group forward.  This session focuses on the key aspects of facilitative leadership—the need and the skills.  This session is a mix of theory and practice.  Faculty: Anne Udall, The Lee Institute  

Taking Stock (1 day): This session provides for integration of learning both as individuals and as a group.  “Taking Stock” halfway through the year provides the group with valuable information to assess progress to date and make any mid-course corrections. Taking Stock establishes a preliminary framework with which to apply learned skills to current and future real time community issues. 

Collaborative Leadership (1 day): This session will present the organizing concepts of collaborative leadership; why this kind of leadership is critical in our time, what it demands personally to demonstrate this kind of leadership and what it can accomplish. A current issue in the region will be used as a ‘real-life’ case study during this session. Faculty: Anne Udall, The Lee Institute  

Leadership in Action (I day): In this session, the class will apply the skills they have gained to this point in a leadership initiative that they deem important. They decide on the issue, the resulting initiative, timing, resources and information needed. The class leadership initiative provides practical experience beyond the classroom in collaborative/community leadership while also providing an opportunity for the Fellows to contribute in a tangible way to the community. Work on this project is pursued outside of the class and may extend beyond the class year.  Faculty: Joe Synan, Leadingwell Associates 

Innovation Workshop (1 day):  This overnight session will focus on the role of innovation and creativity in civic leadership.  Using the work of Daniel Pink and others who are focused on some new and creative approaches to leadership, the Fellows will learn about and practice the power of storytelling, and the use of metaphor, humor and design in leading toward the common good.  Fellows also get a chance to relax and re-connect with their classmates as the year comes to a close. Faculty: tbd  

Class Initiative Day (1 day):  One day will be set aside for the group to accomplish work on their leadership initiative, whether used for gathering information or actually implementing an activity. The agenda for this day will be determined by the class and is self-facilitated. 

Wrap-Up and Commencement (1 day): The final seminar provides a framework for summarizing ALF learnings, evaluating the year and planning for individual and group actions to carry out the group’s personal commitment to the region. Highlights include buddy graduations and a Stand and Deliver exercise.  The day-long seminar is followed by a reception and celebratory dinner with family and invited guests.