The series proved so popular, it’s returning early 2009 for another round.
Eastern Mennonite University will again team up with the Harrisonburg-Rockingham Chamber of Commerce and the Shenandoah Valley Small Business Development Center to offer six “Seminars in Organizational Leadership” aimed at helping persons sharpen their leadership in a rapidly-changing environment. Topics will range from “Leading Healthy Organizations” to “Planning and Leading Group Decision-Making in the Midst of Conflict and Change.” The Harrisonburg Community Mediation Center is joining as a sponsor for 2009.
Instructors are seasoned faculty members from EMU’s Center for Justice and Peacebuilding (CJP), the Masters in Business Administration (MBA) program, the Adult Degree Completion (ADCP, the Community Mediation Center and other community business leaders.
“EMU is pleased to again work closely with the Chamber of Commerce to add the element of the ‘people-side’ of business to the existing and excellent array of business services in our community,” said Susan Landes Beck, a CJP administrator and initiator of the series. “With these joint efforts, the Valley has a practical package of training opportunities for local persons who want to grow in all areas of their leadership, business, entrepreneurship and management skills,” she added.
“Ninety-five persons from across the Shenandoah Valley and as far away as Pennsylvania and North Carolina attended the initial seminar series held between January and April this year,” Beck noted. “The seminars were so in demand that afternoon sessions had to be scheduled to accommodate registrations. We’ve had regular phone calls since April from persons wanting to register for the 2009 series.”
The seminars will begin January 23, 2009, meeting 9 a.m. for noon on seven Fridays in classroom 211/212 of the University Commons.
The cost is $79 per seminar or $399 for the entire series, with a 10 percent discount for Chamber members.
“I found this series to be exceptional in organization, materials and up-to- date applications for today’s work environment,” said Sallye Trobaugh, broker with ERA Kline May Realty. “The professional interactions brought a renewal of existing friendships and launched new ones as well.”
“The Seminars in Organizational Leadership exceeded my expectations,” said Devon C. Anders, president of InterChange Group, Inc. Attendees represented many diverse organizations in the Valley. The content was stimulating . . . we could talk with others about how their organizations experience similar hurdles in thinking and acting strategically, rather than just reacting,” he added.
The schedule follows:
* Jan. 23: Leading Healthy Organizations in a Changing Environment
* Jan. 30: Cultural Awareness Matters: Effective Communication in Today’ s Diverse Workplace; * Feb. 6: Building Your Business and Your Integrity
* March 13: Transforming Interpersonal and Group Conflict
* March 20: Leadership: Why Relationships Matter in Building a Quality Organization
* April 3: Planning and Leading Group Decision-Making
The March 20 and April 3 seminars are new offerings for 2009.
Persons attending the entire series will receive a certificate in organizational leadership.
To register or for more information, visit www.emu.edu/seminarseries or call 540.432.4651.
– Story by Jim Bishop
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