Intensive, Week-long Leadership Institutes at the University of Delaware
Summer 2008 Leadership Institute: July 20 - 25, 2008
Why a Leadership Institute?
A crisis is looming in the field of developmental disabilities. Fully two-thirds of current CEOs and executive directors of nonprofit organizations, and an equal number of government senior managers, anticipate remaining in their positions for five years or fewer. Many leaders of disability organizations are reaching retirement age and there is not a “next generation” of leaders prepared to move into these positions. In a recent study by The University of Delaware, over 50% of the CEOs surveyed did not have a succession plan for their organizations. Almost without exception, the leadership crisis has been a major topic of focus at recent conferences for developmental disability professionals.
While some generic non-profit management and leadership courses are available nationally, none exist that are specific to leaders in the complex and changing field of developmental disabilities services. The National Leadership Consortium on Developmental Disabilities recognizes the responsibility to respond to this emerging crisis and the University of Delaware is joining forces with nine major developmental disability organizations to offer intensive week-long training for emerging leaders in the developmental disabilities field.
What does the Leadership Institute Offer?
The University of Delaware Leadership Institute offers a select group of future leaders from organizations across the United States and internationally, the opportunity to come together with a fabulous faculty of national experts on progressive supports for people with disabilities. The Institute supports the development of skilled leaders who are passionate about quality, have the management and financial skills needed to run solid not-for-profit businesses and government agencies, are capable of assembling top-notch teams of caring staff, and have a solid commitment to progressive values that assured lives of meaning and impact for the individuals receiving support.
The course emphasizes participation and collaboration. Extensive reading and structured assignments are required in advance. Written assignments and individual and group participation during the week are essential.
A highlight of the course for past participants has been the relationships that are built over the week-long experience. Participants will leave with a network of colleagues and enduring relationships with some of the most influential leaders in the field.
The focus of the Leadership Institute is on supporting participants to determine and set organizational direction to move their organization to a high-performance model, and build a lifetime network of peers and leaders to sustain career growth.
How will Participants and their Organizations Benefit?
Participants will learn the skills needed to:
- Manage and sustain person-centered, values-based transformational change;
- Succeed in leadership challenges unique to the field of developmental disabilities;
- Challenge the status quo through experimentation and risk-taking;
- Set ambitious goals for yourself and your organization; and
- Build and sustain positive organizational culture and inspire the positive contribution of team members at all levels.
Who Should Apply?
The course is a week-long, intensive leadership development program for those identified by their organizations as emerging leaders. Participants may work in areas of management or program leadership in organizations that provide, advocate for, or fund community-based services and supports for people with developmental disabilities and their families.
Institute participants will come away with demonstrated leadership ability and a firm grasp of the values that are critical for quality, individualized supports. Both current executive-level leaders and those who anticipate filling these leadership roles in the future are invited to apply.
What Does the Week Include?
See sample schedule to get a feel for the richness of a Leadership Institute week.
The focus will be on determining and setting organizational direction, moving the organization to a high-performance model and building a lifetime network of peers and leaders to sustain career growth.
Topic Descriptions:
- Knowing our history: An overview and history of the field of developmental disabilities – how we got here and what our history means for our future
- The unique challenges of providing leadership in the field of developmental disabilities
- Public policy issues and trends in developmental disabilities
- Managing organizational change to achieve individualized and inclusive supports
- Leading and inspiring people
- Running an agency that is committed to person-centered supports - Real challenges in the real world
- From accountability to quality: Reframing our thinking about what it takes to assure quality lives for the people we support
- Working with government, funders, and nonprofit boards
- Communicating and marketing ideas
Institute Highlights:
The class is limited to a select group of emerging leaders offering opportunity for collaboration and an enduring network of support.
The Institute is held on the campus of the University of Delaware in Newark, Delaware; approximately 50 minutes from Philadelphia and one hour from Baltimore.
The fee for the week is $1,900 which includes materials, most lunches, and two dinners (breakfast is included in hotel cost). Travel and lodging are at the expense of the participant.
Each Leadership Institute begins late Sunday morning with a welcome luncheon and ends at noon on Friday.
University of Delaware graduate credits are available for this course. Participants wishing to receive graduate credits will be required to pay an additional fee. A limited number of fellowships and scholarships are available.
The Leadership Institutes are co-sponsored by:
The Center for Disabilities Studies, Liberty Healthcare Corporation, The ANCOR Foundation, The Council on Quality and Leadership, The National Association of State Directors of Developmental Disabilities Services, and the American Express Foundation.
For more information and a look at the most recent brochure and application form, click here.
To learn more about the Leadership Institute, e-mail Nancy Weiss at nweiss@udel.edu or call Mary Thomas at 302-831-2940.