Natalie Schneider Leadership

Archive for the ‘leadership conference’ Category

Developing a theme for a training program is like naming a baby. Although many choices are available, you really only have one chance to get it right. This article proposes to ignite your thinking and get you on the right track. At length, you will create an appropriate theme that distinguishes your youth leadership program.
Review your goals.

The theme should relate to your goals. Therefore, begin by reviewing your goals, and if you have not established goals, now is the time to do so. What does the leadership program aim to do for youth? Is it designed to address a particular problem or need?
Examine your philosophy.

Take a few minutes to write down your thoughts about leadership. Why is it important? Moreover, why do think youth need leadership training? What are your beliefs? I, for example, believe that leaders should have a strong foundation in the basics. Equally important, I believe that great leaders constantly seek improvement.

Connect the dots.

List all of the components of your program on a blank sheet of paper. Include the key buzzwords, like internships, educational seminars, mentoring, etc. Then, step back, and let the theme emerge.

Be creative.

Take the gloves off, and unleash your creativity. One company, for example, used the acronym O.L.Y.M.P.I.C.S as the theme for its training program; the organization wanted a theme that expressed its commitment to excellence and ongoing professional development.

Avoid mixed messages.

The theme conveys a message. Hence, the content of the program must support the theme. If it does not, make the necessary adjustments. Do not send mixed messages by advertising something that you are not delivering.

Get others involved.

Discover a way to get others involved in the process. Holding a contest is one fun option. Reward people for participating.

In brief, the ideas mentioned in this article require you to look within and to answer key questions. While other techniques exist for creating a theme, these have helped me over the years. I believe they will help you produce themes that are exciting and on target too.

When our team made the decision to hire Leadership Speakers to act as the main attraction at our annual conference, we did not know exactly what to expect. We chose the agency we did because they have a reputation of providing engaging and informative speakers that use words to motivate staff in the directions you would like them to go. We were so pleased with our selection of this agency and the results that we have decided to write this testimonial.

The staff that returned from that conference was changed for the better. Where there had been dissension, there was now harmony. Where that had been friction, there was now compromise and progress. The Leadership Speakers that were provided by the agency seemed to speak to the very soul of our staff, motivating them to get past their petty squabbles and on with the important tasks at hand.

Since the economy has been rocky to say the least and many of our staff are worried about their future, and that of their family, we chose to concentrate on economic speakers. This proved to be a great choice as these speakers were able to address many of the fears that our staff are experiencing and helped them to see past the immediate troubles and onto the bigger picture.

One particular speaker let our staff know, in no uncertain terms, that any economic recovery must begin with them personally and would not come from some government handout. This was empowering news for our staff and seemed just the kick in the pants they needed to keep their finances in order. This speaker explained the importance of saving for retirement and demonstrated to our staff in a simple fashion, the program that we as employers provided for them. Many of our staff expressed shock as they had never fully understood how generous the program was and we have seen a marked rise in the amount that we are now matching in retirement savings.

The economic speakers that spoke at our conference were able to spell out why our economy was troubled and did so with humor and understanding. This enabled them to relate to our staff in a way that I have never seen at a conference such as this. Most of these annual events are stuffy and boring but the leadership speakers made the conference fun and engaging. In fact, many staff have already said they are looking forward to next year and have expressed hopes that we bring some of the invited speakers back for more talks.

On my recent visit to Kenya, my main task was to teach at Pastors and Leaders Seminars and Conferences in Nairobi, Kisumu and Bungoma. It was my fourth visit to Africa in five years, which gives me a little insight into what exactly is going on particularly in the Church of Jesus Christ.

During the Seminar and Conference in central Nairobi, I was based in the East African School of Theology Campus. What a bonus to be able to speak with these young men each evening. These were young men of God preparing for front line ministry. They were so keen, eager, and full of relevant practical questions. Yes, this was a bonus indeed.

At the Pastors and Leaders Seminar in Nairobi, in the slum area of Dandora, I gave my testimony to let these men know where I was coming from, in Christ. That is so important. I then gave an “Overview of The Christian Faith” from three main heading, Jesus Christ, the Bible and The Church – these three being unique.

I took time to teach from from Psalms 120 through to 134. They are called the Songs of Ascent, and as we made our way through I sought to apply Principles of Leadership and spiritual reality.

It being mid-November I turned to teach from Luke Chapters 1 and 2 and Matthew Chapters 1 and 2 dealing with the factual reality of the birth of Jesus Christ – and then from Acts Chapter 2 on how the Risen and Living Jesus birthed and launched the Church.

At our final session in Nairobi, I was given a pile of written questions which I sought to answer. When I came to the second last question I asked – “Where am I going for my answers?” to which they replied in unison – “The Bible”! When you go to the Bible for your answers you are giving those asking the questions a firm reliable sound solid foundation.

I heard on the BBC News World Service that the M.P.’s in Nairobi had voted NOT to have their expenses taxed! Many are absolutely fed up with corrupt politicians. I wrote a letter to the national newspaper “The Standard” and it was published the next day.

Africa is in turmoil.

One BBC Economics Commentator said that the present financial crisis will hit Africa in around three months time! Wow! How bad can it become?

Sandy Shaw.