UUC Leadership Program Recap for 2008

What do these people have now that they didn’t have 5 weeks ago?

Pictured above from left standing:

Alicia Addeo, Ches Applewhite, Sheila Knaust, Bill Dishongh, Florence Cohan-Austin (co-facilitator), Sue Boone, Tricia Weimer, Pegotty Cooper (co-facilitator), seated from left: Christine Pensa, Jinene Harvey, Kara Sands, Bill Snell (a stand in)

Confidence, Courage, Camaraderie.

New skills, new insights, new choices and practices!

The 5 week UUC Leadership Program is focused on enhancing leadership at work, at home, and in all of the communities in which the participants find themselves. In examining a context for leadership which is includes our UUC principles and the concept of getting into “Right Relationship” as a leader, we looked at practices and tools in four areas:

• knowing yourself as a leader;
• understanding how to work with volunteers (including a look at our new Community Builders database);
• learning how people work in groups; and
• dealing with conflict-embracing the differences between people and opinions.

The class is very interactive with group exercises to practice new skills and understand how to use some of the tools we discussed and demonstrated. Pegotty Cooper and Florence Cohan-Austin co-facilitated the program, and we were honored to have Bill Norsworthy, Abhi Janamanchi, Millie Rochester and Susan Hegner as guest speakers.

Here are some quotes from those that just received their “diploma”:

“I found the material gave me a different view point for success working in a committee environment and how to harness motivation of volunteers.  Some real insights into how our built in thinking can interfere with what we are trying to accomplish.  A good course and I highly recommend it for others.” Bill Snell

“Leadership requires courage, patience and caring. I learned how to be together with others to accomplish a worthy goal; how to be aware of the things that cause me frustration and sometimes discouragement and how to keep my own right opinion open for review. I learned how to keep aware of being a good listener and practice makes perfect. I found great companions in this effort and memorable moments of truth.” Sheila M. Knaust

“The listening exercises were a good reminder of training I had many years ago when I was a volunteer in a women's center and on the board of a battered women's shelter.  I appreciated that very much and am beginning to use better listening techniques again. Thank you very much for the training.  All of you were excellent!” Ches Applewhite

What a marvelous program!! Helped me to rethink those knee jerk reactions to events in my personal and business life. By using the Six Advisers assessment, Pegotty is a master at leading anyone to understand the internal and external influences that make your business and personal relationships effective or non effective. As a result of this program, I know, despite the impact of my life experiences, I will be more focused and more productive. As Pegotty says, “SUCCESS IS A CONSCIUS CHOICE!!!”

Our next UUC Leadership Program will be held in October-November and participation is limited to fifteen people. If you would like to participate, or would like to be informed as the dates are finalized, please contact Pegotty Cooper, pegotty@verizon.net. Or leave a message – 813-884-9511.