Accept the Challenge....Be Part of the 2010 Leadership Academy!

Bungee jumping, sky diving, and public speaking make the list of top fears of individuals today; the things that make people sweat! But what do they have to do with leadership? To take a risk, or to undertake something that may make us uncomfortable, is an important part of living with passion. This isn’t to say that you have to run out and find the nearest sky diving school to enhance your leadership abilities. Risking can be as simple as looking at a situation where a decision is required and taking the road less traveled. Strong leaders know when they should follow a traditional path, and when looking at the big picture, a calculated risk could raise their team to the next level of efficiency or cohesion. As a leader, reflect on your own leadership situation and find some areas where a calculated risk may provide a breath of fresh air. Can you make a change in your decision making process? Develop a new product? Expend precious resources in a new, emerging area? Whatever the case may be for you, leave your comfort zone, check the situation and take the risk!

The Leadership Academy will once again be offered in 2010! Thanks to special funding, we offered the program to 13 teens from Clearfield & Jefferson counties this past year and focused on a variety of leadership-related topics including conflict resolution, citizenship, government, and group dynamics to name a few. “Full program” cost will range between $200 and $500 for each program participant but through special arrangements we will offer the course for $50.00 for first time enrollees. Graduates of The 2009 Leadership Academy may attend for $30.00.

The program will take place at the Foundry in Reynoldsville; however, we will likely meet at alternate sites (such as Penn State DuBois Campus) and our goal is to offer field trips related to our leadership topics. The first session will take place on Wednesday, January 27, 2010 and we will meet every-other Wednesday through April 21, 2010. The sessions will run from 3:30 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.

Our focus will be students in grades 9 – 12; however, we will gladly accept mature teens in 7th & 8th grade! You DO NOT have to be a 4-H member to sign-up for the Leadership Academy. Last year, only 3 of the teen were 4-H members and the rest were students at Jeff Tech, so please inform your friends from school about this great opportunity to become better leaders!

Academy size is limited to 25 students. Become one of the elite members to participate in the Academy. As a member you will help determine the future direction for the Academy.

For additional information or to register, please contact Jana at jld289@psu.edu or (814) 765-7878 Ext. 3 no later than January 1, 2010!