The curriculum for WDMLA 2011–2012 has been announced and a brief overview is listed below.
Date: September 7, 2011
Location: DeWaay Conference Center – 13001 University Avenue in Clive
Orientation and Networking
Time: Arrive no later than 2:15 pm for networking. Orientation begins at 2:30 pm.
Following orientation, the class is invited to a networking reception with fellow participants, alumni and the 2011-2012 Board of Directors. Reception adjourns around 5 p.m.
Date: September 15, 2011
Location: Walnut Woods Lodge at Walnut Woods State Park. From Iowa Hwy 5 take exit 102 and follow signs to Walnut Woods. From Interstate 35 take exit 68 (IA Hwy 5) then exit 102 and follow signs to Walnut Woods.
Leadership Component: Situational Leadership
Time: Session begins at 8:00 am sharp and ends at approximately 5:00 pm.
Special info: Please dress casually for this event and wear comfortable and/or athletic shoes as many activities will be held outside – rain or shine. Lunch will be provided.
The concept of one-size-fits-all should not apply to leadership. This program presents participants with a model that will enable them to be more adaptable and effective leaders. Participants will discover their preferred style and the skills they will need to expand their leadership repertoire and more effectively develop their staff.
Reception: The session will end at 5 pm. A casual reception, which will include an introduction to the class project, will be held immediately following the session at Cabaret West Glen.
Date: October 20, 2011
Location: Aviva USA Headquarters – 7700 Mills Civic Parkway.
Time: Informal networking at 1:00 pm. Session starts at 1:30 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Leadership component: Speaking for Success
Presentation skills rank high on the lists of the qualities we value in others and others value in us. In spite of the strong awareness we all seem to have for the importance of communication skills, the average person does not communicate well. As a result, presentations often fail. During this keynote presentation, listeners will explore how they are perceived by others, recognize the verbal and non-verbal messages they send, discover the secrets about body language that their listeners already know, and learn how to add impact in their presentations.
Community component: The class will join the WDM Chamber for an economic development bus tour of West Des Moines beginning at 3:30 pm.
Class members will attend the WDMLA-sponsored post-tour Chamber reception at Aviva. Dinner is not served at this session.
Date: November 17, 2011
Location: Des Moines Catholic Diocese’s Pastoral Center, 601 Grand Avenue.
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Community Component: Nonprofit Primer
There are numerous nonprofits and organizations in the Greater Des Moines area working each day to improve the overall health and well-being of our community. We will take this opportunity to better acquaint Academy participants with a few of those notable organizations.
Leadership Component: Poverty Simulation
We cross paths every day with people who live in poverty. For some, the wear and tear is obvious; for others, it is a silent struggle. In this program, Academy class members will find out what it would be like to walk in their shoes.
A simple meal will be served as part of the poverty experience.
Date: December 15, 2011
Location: TBD
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Leadership Component: Conflict Resolution
Difficult interactions (aka “conflict”) occur frequently, but the skills to handle them effectively do not come naturally. This workshop is devoted to understanding and identifying conflict and how to approach it. In this session you will learn t o create an “all-win” environment and deal with challenging interpersonal situations more effectively.
Community Component: Health Care
A sampling of West Des Moines health care entities will present brief information on their facilities and services as well as commentary on their own views on leadership in the health care world today. Class Q&A to follow.
A holiday reception with city staff, board members, and WDMLA alumni to follow at 6:30 pm. Dinner is not served with this session. Location TBD.
Date: January 19, 2012
Location: Johnny’s Italian Steakhouse in the Holiday Inn and Suites – 6075 Mills Civic Parkway
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Leadership Component: Accountability and Performance Coaching
The word “coaching” is constantly being tossed around in the business world today. But should leaders be coaches? How does coaching help an organization? And what does an effective coach look like? This course will provide leaders with the coaching skills they need to develop others and to improve organizational performance.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Dinner will be served at Johnny’s at approximately 6:15 pm. The class will participate in a mid-year survey facilitated by the WDMLA Board at this time.
Informal networking: 8:00 pm TBD.
Date: February 16, 2012
Location: TBD
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Leadership Component: Own Your Brand!
Discovering and delivering on your unique personal brand is essential in today’s dynamic marketplace. Do you know what makes you remarkable and of undeniable value to your organization? Will what got you on the team keep you there?
This workshop is designed for career professionals at every level of development.
Here’s what to expect from Own Your Brand!:
- How others become raving fans of branded professionals
- Why and how to embrace what makes you different
- How to become an empathetic expert in a marketplace of indifference
- Where to find your why for what you do
- How personal brand disciplines generate remarkable value
Community Component: Education in West Des Moines
A panel representing different West Des Moines academia will present information on their organizations, their services, areas in which they excel and how they contribute to the West Des Moines community. Session includes class Q & A.
Dinner will be served at approximately 6:30 pm at Fleming’s Steakhouse & Wine Bar – 150 S Jordan Creek Parkway.
Informal networking: 8:00 pm TBD.
Date: March 15, 2012
Location: West Des Moines City Hall Council Chambers – 4200 Mills Civic Parkway, 1st Floor
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Community Component: City Government
City leaders will speak to the “West Des Moines difference” in governance during this interactive session.
Leadership Component: Fish Banks
Fish Banks is an interactive simulation where participants organize a fishing company. Using your leadership skills, you will make decisions that will determine your company’s future. It’s highly interactive – so get ready to head out to sea!!
Pizza, beer, and wine will be served during the Fish Banks exercise. The session will conclude at approximately 7:30 pm.
Date: April 19, 2012
Location: TBD.
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Leadership Component: Servant Leadership
Do you have to quit your job and start a nonprofit organization to be a good, socially-responsible servant leader? No! Organizations of any kind that create a culture of responsible leadership deliver higher returns to shareholders and perform better on employee retention, morale, and worker safety – among other measures. Servant-Leadership is all about the legacy that you leave……and the lives you touch along the way!
Community Component: WDM Leadership Panel – Up Close and Personal
A panel of CEOs and West Des Moines business leaders representing diverse organizations – from large corporations to small or midsize businesses – will share their own leadership style; address the traits they see as most important to being an effective leader, share how they have persevered through challenges etc.
Dinner at approximately 6:15 pm will involve grilling your own steaks, chops or chicken at Rube’s Steakhouse, 3309 Ute Avenue, Waukee.
Informal networking: 8:00 pm TBD.
Date: May 17, 2012
Location: TBD
Time: Informal networking at 1:30 pm. Session starts at 2:00 pm.
Housekeeping and Time to Shine
Leadership Component: A surprise leadership experience facilitated by the Mevyn Group. Please dress casually for this event.
Dinner will be served as part of this session. More details will be provided as we get closer to the date!
The West Des Moines Leadership Academy Graduation event will be held June 7, 2012 at DSM Golf and Country Club.
