New application and nomination forms for 2010
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WDMLA 2008–2009 Sessions
This is a recap of sessions during the inaugural year.
Part 1 of 3.
"I am glad to see our West Des Moines Community create a Leadership Academy," said Steve Gaer, Mayor of West Des Moines. "I believe the quality of local leadership has significantly impacted the growth and quality of our community and will play an even more significant role in determining the future of our City. Leadership makes things happen and the West Des Moines Leadership Academy will provide leaders at all levels with an opportunity to learn about our community as well as hone leadership skills.…”
Session 1: Orientation and Team Building
The first session of the West Des Moines Leadership Academy was held on Thursday, September 11, 2008 in council chambers at city hall. This orientation class set the foundation for learning and applying leadership skills that were addressed throughout the program. Team building exercises, led by Todd McDonald of ATW Training, prompted class members to get to know each other. A “World Café” methodology was used to stir conversations afterward about how West Des Moines will look and feel in 2028.
Session 2: Looking at Historic West Des Moines
In October, former Mayor Gene Meyer and his wife, Kathy, took the class on an historic journey about our city. Starting "back in the day" when James Jordan, a cattle farmer moved here from Platte County, Missouri in September of 1846. Nearly fifty years later in 1893, the area was incorporated as a railroad town known as Valley Junction. The population was less than 500 residents. We learned how West Des Moines continued to grow, becoming the city of commerce and premier living that it is today.
After this short presentation the class boarded a bus for a 90 minute historic tour of WDM. Clyde Evans shared interesting facts not only about historic Valley Junction and West Des Moines, but also about future sites of commerce and industry ready to call West Des Moines their home.
In the final component of the session, Tero International conducted a business dining etiquette class, allowing class members to apply their newly-learned skills while enjoying a four-course dinner at Johnny's Italian Steakhouse.
