LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOPS

In 2010 the Diocese launched a pilot program designed to help clergy and lay leaders develop or refresh various leadership skills to take home to their congregations. Initially, these workshops are based on the Fresh Start Program. Over time, other sources will be added. These workshops are deliberately low-cost both in time and money in order to make them more accessible. (see schedule)

The March workshops have been cancelled, and future planning is in process.

Who can attend?
Clergy, lay leaders and potential lay leaders. We find it helpful to have clergy and lay leaders learn similar approaches and language in order to work together in their congregation. Many participants also develop relationships with other congregations as a result of meeting people in these workshops.

When?
Various Saturday mornings, 8:30-12:30 (see schedule)

Where?
Various locations around the Diocese to make it more convenient for you. (see schedule)

How much of a commitment is it?
These are designed to be either a stand-alone or a series – so take as many or as few that you want and are convenient.

How much does it cost?
Each workshop is $25 per attendee, although scholarship is available.

What is the format?
On any given date and location, we offer 1-3 subjects simultaneously (you will need to choose one, and list an alternate in case your first choice is undersubscribed or oversubscribed). Class size is 5-15 people in order to allow discussion, work through various issues and situations.

Where do I start?
A good starting place is “Leadership for Our Times,” but it is not a pre-requisite for any other workshops, and you can start anywhere. If you attend one of the two Managing our Differences workshops, we suggest that you take the opportunity to attend the other one as well to round out your skills in this area. Let us know if you have specific requests – at each workshop we ask for input for future ones.

Who are the facilitators?
Currently, they are drawn from our nationally trained facilitators for Fresh Start: Ms. Sandy Kolb, the Rev. Frank Dunn, Ms. Carol Wzorek, and the Rev. Canon Mary Sulerud. 

How do I ask more questions?
Contact Ann Talty at (202)537-6548.


SCHEDULE

Workshops for March 17 and March 24 have been cancelled.  (click for descriptions):

3/17/12 at St. Francis, Potomac (in Montgomery County)
     10033 River Rd, Potomac, MD 
     Managing our Differences – Polarities
     Organizational Systems Theory
     Leading Planned Change

3/24/12 at the Walker Center at Holy Comforter (in northwest DC)
     701 Oglethorpe St NW, Washington DC 
     Leadership for our Times
     Managing our Differences – Dialogue
     Organizational Systems Theory

4/28/12 at t/b/d (St. Mary’s County) (tentative)
     Leading Planned Change
     Managing our Differences – Dialogue
     Transition

6/9/12 at t/b/d (Silver Spring area) (tentative)
     Church Size and its Implications
     Transition
     Leading Planned Change

DESCRIPTIONS: [register now] or  go back to schedule

Leadership for our Times - The challenges facing congregations today often have no easy answers. They require the congregational system to adapt or change to meet new demands. This places special demands on the leaders, who must resist the call “for answers” and help people struggle to find adaptive solutions of their own. This module explores the authority of leadership, various leadership styles, the changing environment within which we live, and how to respond given the type of challenges being faced. (March 24, 2012 at the Walker Center in northwest DC)

Church Size and its Implications - This workshop introduces the latest in church size theory, asks participants to look at their own experience with different size congregations, and raises questions about the implications of size for their current congregation. (June 9, 2012 in the Silver Spring area)

Leading Planned Change - Change may be thrust upon a congregation even if the time is not appropriate or a congregation may undertake a major change effort. Participants identify those changes that are occurring in their congregation and learn how leaders can help people navigate through them. (March 17, 2012 at St. Francis, Potomac; April 28, 2011 in St. Mary’s County; June 9, 2012 in the Silver Spring area)

Organizational Systems Theory - This workshop introduces a structured way to analyze the effectiveness of congregational systems. Starting from a mission focus, participants look at the current context for ministry and how structure, rewards, relationships, leadership, and other mechanisms support or detract from achievement of mission. (March 17, 2012 at St. Francis, Potomac; March 24, 2012 at the Walker Center in Northwest DC)

Managing our Differences: Dialogue - How do we learn to live in harmony with those with whom we have deep disagreement? One way is to engage in dialogue. Focusing on what we share in common, instead of our differences, foregoing the need to convert, we can create a space that allows us to live, speak to one another and worship side-by-side. In this workshop learn and practice how to phrase the kinds of questions that will open up that space. (March 24, 2012 at the Walker Center in Northwest DC; April 28, 2012 in St. Mary’s County)

Managing our Differences: Polarities - Polarities are differences which do not lend themselves to an either/or solution because there is something of value on both sides. Work and family life is a polarity we all live with, for example. In congregations polarities arise all the time (traditional and contemporary music, involvement or absence of children in worship roles, etc.) In this workshop earn and practice a technique for engaging in a discussion of these differences that will help you reach a way to accommodate the best of both poles. (March 17, 2012 at St. Francis, Potomac)

Transition – This module workshop introduces the concept of transition (as opposed to change), exploring ways of responding appropriately given where people (the clergy person, the congregants) are in their response to change. (April 28, 2012 in St. Mary’s County; June 9, 2012 in the Silver Spring area)

Other Workshops not currently scheduled, but available on request
(we can substitute any of these if people need them instead of what is on the schedule) 

Conflict Part I: Awareness – From a base of a definition of “conflict” this workshop explores types of conflict, helps participants assess their personal styles of dealing with conflict, recognize the early warning signs, and determine the circumstances under which their styles are most appropriate.

Conflict Part II: Diagnosis and Response – In this workshop participants are introduced to Speed Leas’ levels of conflict and the concept of behavioral covenants. Appropriate interventions for different levels of conflict are discussed.

Decision-Making: Style and Clarity – Participants explore the factors to consider in determining how decisions should be made and who should be involved, using case studies to promote their understanding. They analyze the decision-making styles of their congregations and the consequences of that style, and look at the impact of culture on decision-making styles.