GFWC LEADS
Leadership
Education And Development Seminar
Information
for
The
GFWC LEADS program is intended to identify GFWC members at the grassroots level
who have the potential and the desire to assume leadership positions in GFWC
beyond their club. Participation in GFWC LEADS can help to provide these
members with the capabilities, confidence and commitment to pursue and achieve
higher office and serve with distinction.
§
The
LEADS program is held annually in conjunction with the GFWC International
Convention. It is a full day of
activities, and includes breakfast and lunch.
§
One
attendee each year from each state federation will participate in LEADS.
§
GFWC will cover a portion of the attendees’
expenses, including:
o
Round-trip
travel to and from the GFWC Convention city*
o
One-half
of room charge for two nights at official Convention hotel *
o
Breakfast
and lunch during the LEADS program
o
Discounted
Convention meal charges
§
§
LEADS
attendees will be asked to be responsible for a portion of their expenses as an
affirmation of their personal commitment.
LEADS MAY INCLUDE
THE FOLLOWING:
- Presentations
on conflict resolution, mediation, public speaking skills, time management,
parliamentary procedure
- Explanation
of GFWC resources, materials and assistance
- Discussions
on GFWC policies, procedures and parliamentary law
- Tips and
techniques for pursuing leadership opportunities
*LEADS
participant is responsible for making her own travel and lodging arrangements
CRITERIA FOR
PARTICIPATION IN LEADS:
It
is recommended that each state candidate for LEADS:
§
demonstrates
leadership capabilities at the club level as an active club president, club
officer or club project/committee chairman
§
exhibits
a commitment to Federation
§
exhibits
an understanding of the GFWC mission of community service, illustrated by
programs/projects in which she is/has been involved
§
demonstrates
leadership skills, including but not limited to the following (to be described
in narrative form): organized,
responsible, trustworthy, enthusiastic, flexible
§
exhibits
an interest and willingness to pursue higher leadership positions in Federation
§
agrees
to share information gained from participation in LEADS with others in the
state (possibly by conducting a “mini-LEADS” program)
§
understands
and accepts potential expenses involved in participation
§
has
not held elected positions at or beyond the state level
§
has
not attended a previous LEADS program (members are eligible to attend only
once)
SELECTION PROCESS:
Each
state Federation selects one LEADS attendee annually. Attendees are expected to meet the criteria
listed above. While the final
selection is at the discretion of each state Federation, the following method
of selection and standards for consideration should be followed.
APPLICATION:
State
Federation distributes application form and encourages qualified individuals to
apply
§
Personal
information (name/address, etc.) on the form should be concealed during
judging, allowing applications to be considered solely on merit
§
Applicant
provides information that directly illustrates how criteria are being met
§
Letter(s)
of recommendation or support from active GFWC club member(s) are required
§
Applications
should be judged on a point system (see page 6). Be sure to let applicant
know what the system is.
§
Application
forms should be made available to entire state membership (can be published in
state newsletter; distributed at district and state meetings; available on
state federation website, etc.)
Alternative
Method:
State
Federation solicits nominations from clubs/districts
§
All
criteria listed for application process apply also to nomination process
§
State
may determine how many nominations will be considered from each club/district
SELECTION:
A
committee or panel of judges should make the final selection of the one
state representative to the LEADS program.
The panel could include the state Executive Board/Committee or be
appointed by the state president and/or board.
§
panel
should include Junior representative(s)
§
panel
should include representation from each district
§
panel
should include state leadership chairman
§
panel
should adhere to accepted standards for selection (point system is good
example)
§
panel
should include former LEADS participants
§
applicant’s
name and club should not be known to judging panel
§
panel
should select one participant and one alternate who can fill in if participant
is unable to attend
It
is not necessary or recommended to include the criteria for applying and
selecting LEADS candidates in the state bylaws or standing rules. However, the
application and selection process should be written, understood and freely
available to all members of the state Federation.
FOLLOW-UP:
Applicants
who are not chosen to participate in the LEADS program are excellent candidates
for in-state leadership training opportunities, perhaps in the form of a
mini-LEADS program held at state convention or board meeting and modeled on the
GFWC program. State federations could
have a state LEADS day at the annual state convention. GFWC LEADS “graduates” could participate in
the program and assist the state leadership chairman.
States
should institute a process to track the progress of LEADS participants, i.e.,
what offices they run for and attain; how they share the information they
gained; their level of participation in district/state activities, etc.
TIMELINE:
§
FEBRUARY
1:
Deadline for application to be sent to Patrice Booze (
§
MARCH
1:
o Deadline for state federations to submit
completed LEADS Participant Profile to GFWC Headquarters
o GFWC Headquarters sends invitation and
LEADS registration materials to participants after Profile is received
§
APRIL:
o
GFWC
Headquarters sends GFWC Convention registration materials customized for LEADS
participants
§
JUNE:
o
LEADS
program convenes prior to GFWC Annual International Convention
Suggested
GFWC LEADS
JUDGING CRITERIA
Applicant # _____
Possible
Points Points
ü
Has
demonstrated leadership capabilities
at
club level as club president, club
officer
or project/program chairman 5 ____
ü
Exhibits
a commitment to Federation 25 ____
ü
Exhibits
an understanding of the GFWC
mission
of community service through
programs/projects
in which she is
involved 20 ____
ü
Demonstrates
leadership skills, ex:
organized,
responsible, trustworthy,
enthusiastic,
flexible. (Describe in
narrative
form on reverse side of
this
sheet.) 10 ____
ü
Exhibits
an interest and willingness to
pursue
higher GFWC leadership positions 10 ____
ü
Letter(s)
of support 30 ____
TOTAL POINTS
____
Additional
comments (if needed):
Signature of Judge Date
“Judging Criteria” adapted from a form developed by Lee
Humphrey, GFWC Kansas
GFWC LEADS Participant Profile
Cover Sheet
Deadline for submission: MARCH 1
LEADS Participant Information (please type or print):
Name:
Mailing address (street):
City, State, Zip:
Telephone:
Home _________________ Office:
___________________
Email
address(es): ___________________________________________
Club
name: _________________________________________________
State Federation:
This
form was submitted by:
Name:
Mailing Address (street):
City, State, Zip:
Telephone: Home: Office:
Email address(es):
Federation position:
Submit this form, with a copy of the participant’s
application/nomination form, photograph (headshot preferred) and any
supporting documents, to:
General Federation of Women’s Clubs
Attn: LEADS
Program
1734 N Street, NW
| OFWC Departments and Committees |
| OFWC Leadership Page |
| Return to the OFWC home page. |