Leaders Forum Program OPENING DOORS, OPENING MINDS Apply now for 2016
Who do you know who can shape the future of the community we live in? Leadership Ballarat and Western Region (LBWR) aspires to create a positive and sustainable future for all. We inspire people to lead and to work together to create a connected responsive community.
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Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it’s the only thing that ever has. Margaret Mead
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Leaders Forum is an experiential learning program for up to 30 emerging leaders from diverse industry and community sectors. Program participants are provided with unique opportunities that will inspire them to: • broaden their understanding of leadership • connect to diverse networks • explore the community • reflect personally and professionally We are now recruiting for the 2016 Leaders Forum program. For more information visit www.lbwr.org Contact Sofia Fiusco I Executive Officer 0400 059 104 I eo@lbwr.com.au
Program Structure • Opening and closing retreats (Feb and Nov) • 8 program days (9am-5pm) • 8 program evenings (5-9pm) • Community forums and events • Program day pre-reading, reflective journal • External mentor • 3 Day visit to Federal Parliament, Canberra
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2016 Program Costs Employer/Sponsor contribution $3850 +GST Participant contribution $1200 +GST Scholarships Available • Peter Davies Small Business Entrepreneur • Pyrenees Shire Community • Bug Blitz Arts/Culture • Bank Australia Indigenous
What has surprised me is the impact that the program continues to have on me as I go about my work and life on a day-to-day basis and how I now consider things differently. The program is about developing community leaders over time, not making them in one year Anthony Schreenan City of Ballarat / LBWR 2011
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Nick Clare Brand Manager, Mars Chocolate Australia The year invested personally and professionally in the Leaders Forum program was truly worthwhile and left a lasting impact. The program offers a diverse range of experiences, learnings and discussion. It removes you from your everyday and stretches your thinking, challenging your values and broadening your horizons. The perspectives unlocked create a new outlook on leadership and the future of this community. The program solidified my desire to live, work and grow in this community. The community will only grow through the impact of leadership from all levels and the Leaders Forum program is central to driving a legacy and a culture of leadership.
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Leadership Ballarat & Western Region Recruitment eBook
Jodie Perry Management Accountant, McCain Foods (Aust) Pty Ltd The Leaders Forum program offers the opportunity to spend time with leaders with differing levels of experience and to ask them questions about what they believe is the key to successful leadership. This opportunity enables you to take away many learnings but the impact on you and the people around you is when your learnings are turned into action. My experience has led me to be more strategic in my thinking and decision making. This has guided me to understand that as a leader I need to take time to paint the bigger picture for the people around me to ensure I take them along for the journey. Personally I have gained perspective on the things that really matter in life which has made me more focused, passionate and present. For me the opportunity to participate in the program was life changing and as each year goes by I realise that I continue to build upon the successful base that the program gave me as a leader.
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Peter Field Acting Manager, Sustainability Central Highlands Water The Leaders Forum program has connected me to a truly diverse group of professionals within our region. The true benefits of diversity are revealed throughout the year as you test and understand each other’s perspective on each topic covered within the program. By immersing yourself in the forum you gain a deeper appreciation for our region and the community in which we live. I now feel stronger and more confident at work and in the community. There is simply no better mechanism available for the leaders of tomorrow who are looking for a holistic and engaging learning experience. If you feel that you are ready to make an impact, the Leaders Forum program is for you.
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Michelle Whyte Executive Manager, Ballarat Neighbourhood Centre The Leaders Forum program has been a watershed moment for me professionally. It has been a place where I have learnt a lot about myself and other sections of our community and most importantly of all, that while we can be wildly different and do totally different things we are all experiencing the same feelings. We all share the desire to learn, and to be a part of a better and more resilient community. Learning has always been a part of my life and I believe that to truly make a difference in anything we must first strive to understand the complexities of the issues we are dealing with. I feel that I am a better leader now, not just a manager. I have renewed confidence in my abilities and those of my team. The leadership program has impacted on not only me as an individual, but on my organisation and, in turn, my community.
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Stephen Allen Project Manager, Nicholson Construction Quite often we hear that programs similar to Leaders Forum allow like-minded people to come together to facilitate an objective. I would offer you a thought to consider: if a group of like minded people are brought together to discuss and develop solutions to community and professional issues, does this allow diversity in our development of possible resolutions? Or, as is the case with Leaders Forum, is it more beneficial to bring together people who are passionate about being effective leaders and positively contributing to their community but who have diverse backgrounds to enable each individual mind to develop a strategic resolution based on their life experiences? Leaders Forum is a passionate group of diverse people who network and develop strong leadership skills. The potential benefit of this development is only fully realised by being immersed within the community.
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Taya McGuinness Customer Relationship Manager, Bendigo and Adelaide Bank Ltd I found the Leaders Forum program to be both a challenging and rewarding experience. The program days forced me to evaluate and reassess my pre-conceived opinions on a diverse range of issues that affect our region. The experiential learning was a highlight of the program and being able to talk to real people in real situations helped us to humanise the experience and ensure that it had a lasting impact. As a result of participating in the program in 2013, I have more confidence when voicing my opinions and I am more open-minded when listening to the opinions of others.
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10 Years of Community Leadership In 2015 LBWR is celebrating 10 years of community leadership.
EXPLORE
270+ Graduates Our graduates are shaping the future of our community through our skills bank.
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Increased Volunteering 47.73% of graduates indicated that they increased their volunteering by 50% as a result of participating in the Leaders Forum program.
IMPACT
Community Investment The Return on Investment of our graduates in the community is estimated at more than $1.5 million in the past year alone.
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Adrian Kenny Manager Hotel Services, St John of God Ballarat Hospital Reflecting on my journey through the Leaders Forum program, the lasting impressions or impacts for me were the program day topics and the structure of these days. The opportunities to learn from diverse presenters in places that normally you wouldn't have access to. The program days are a way of learning more about a subject impacting us or our community. Some days I went with a formed opinion or thought I knew about a topic to find at the end of that day my opinion had shifted or that in fact I knew very little about the subject. Partnerships formed with fellow participants meant that we had the opportunity to work alongside people we wouldn’t normally. As we were open and respectful of each, lasting friendships were formed. There was always the opportunity for conversations with a fellow participant where we could challenge our thinking or learn more from.
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Pennie Mathieson Family Services Alliance Project Worker, Child and Family Services (CAFS) The Leaders Forum program took me out of my normal routines, and sometimes out of my comfort zone, and allowed me the opportunity to have genuine and at times controversial conversations about community issues. It has helped me to realise the importance of having a sound understanding of social, cultural and economic environments in order to be an effective community leader. It inspired me to reflect on a brand of leadership that embraces the need for individuals becoming truly engaged in a leader’s purpose and vision. Leadership is the ability to inspire, motivate, guide and encourage others to take productive actions. I have learned about the complex and many layers of leadership, as well the connections between economic growth, social health and wellbeing, community participation and engagement.
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Dom Uljanic Vegetation Management Officer, CFA West Region I found the Leaders Forum program to be an ‘eye opening’ experience that has changed my outlook on a wide range of things. It enabled me to be more aware of the challenges facing our local community and how I can act as a community leader to help others face those challenges. Personally, the program has greatly increased my self confidence. One person can make change and one person can make a difference through their own actions and informing and encouraging others. I take every opportunity to inform others of the many volunteers that get no recognition for the great work they do. These are the ‘good news stories’ that don’t make mainstream media. But that’s not why I (and most others) volunteer. It simply makes you feel good… and I’m a better person for it.
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Jill Simpson Practice Manager, Heinz & Partners The Leaders Forum program is a great learning opportunity. It has impacted me on a personal and professional level. I expected the program to improve my leadership skills, which it definitely has, however what I did not expect is the personal growth. It is very easy to sit on the fence and comment on how to make our community better but this program educates and equips you with the skills to be able to make it happen. The varied content has made me better informed about the community and has been instrumental in making me a better leader. Armed with the additional information, enhanced skills and new connections, I feel that even as an individual I can make a positive impact in our community.
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Chris Gardner Senior Recreation Planning Advisor, City of Ballarat The Leaders Forum experience has had a significant impact on several aspects of my life. It has opened my eyes to some serious community issues that we are not only currently facing but are likely to encounter in the future. It has highlighted to me the importance of community participation and advocacy that enables us to have an impact on the future of our region. Being involved with such a dynamic and diverse group certainly has had influenced my perspective and has challenged my thinking and views on particular topics. Most of all the program has enabled me to learn more about myself and develop new skills and it has encouraged me to have a voice. Although I feel my leadership journey is only beginning, I believe the program has equipped me to navigate my way forward and have a positive impact on the future of our community.
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Diana Sullivan Trade Credit Controller, Haymes Paint This journey has been an amazing experience for me personally, granting me the ability to increase my networks and to develop great friendships along the way. The Leaders Forum program has not only challenged me as an individual, but has given me a greater sense of community awareness and the skills to grow and develop as a team leader. In my professional role, I now can inspire my team and encourage them to embrace new processes. This program is very rewarding, inspiring individuals on a personal and professional level and it demonstrates the positive impact that individuals can have on your community.
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Dougal Purcell Regional Manager Agriculture and Biosecurity Services, Grampians Region The Leaders Forum program is very effective program for building participant awareness of the social and economic challenges and opportunities in our community. The program explores leadership through considering how individuals and groups can address key challenges and opportunities in our region. In doing so it builds a holistic understanding of the complex and multi-faceted nature of these issues. The program brings together a fantastic group of people, from a variety of backgrounds. During the program the group develops strong networks that individual participants will draw on in their day-to-day work throughout their careers.
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Jade Smithard Creative Director, Mojo Professional Photography The experiences we have participated in and shared this year have allowed the Leaders Forum group to broaden our scope of understanding of the diversity within our community. I have observed myself and other members of the group discovering things that we had previously never been exposed to or considered. I feel that the impact of this program year will have a ripple effect that will impact the whole community for years to come. As a small business owner it has also been beneficial to learn from and with skilled professionals from diverse industry areas.
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Proudly sponsored by:
H O S P I TA L B A L L A R AT
Connect: Proudly supported by Regional Development with funding from the Victorian Governments Regional Growth Fund
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Leadership Ballarat & Western Region @LeadershipBWR #lbwr