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Summer Leadership Institute |
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Program
Most clergy and lay leaders involved in rebuilding and revitalizing their neighborhoods recognize that during the past several years their responsibilities and the needs of their communities have become more complex. Changes in governmental policies and the national ethos, including diminished financial aid, have led to calls upon churches and faith-based organizations to create solutions to local social and economic problems. Therefore, faith-based community and economic development professionals must address issues related to jobs, housing, education, health, criminal justice, and social services. This more complex environment demands that clergy and lay leaders develop new approaches, greater expertise, and improved institutional operations. The Summer Leadership Institute (SLI) addresses these challenges through a learning program for enhancing leadership and building the institutions needed to tackle emerging social and economic issues.
The SLI is designed to equip community and economic development professionals for better mission conceptualization, information management, strategic planning, program performance, and partnership building with business, government, and industry. It also seeks to establish guideposts for theologically grounding the lives of individuals and the social and economic institutions that sustain them, and to facilitate access to leading thinkers and practitioners who are engaged in areas related to community and economic development. The educational instruction is focused on a set of case studies about faith-based institutions, corporations, and transformation of communities. Many of the cases illustrate how to attract resources for building effective for-profit and nonprofit institutions, as well as strengthening the economic and moral infrastructure of neighborhoods. The program includes lectures, seminars, forums, field visits, worship, and special events with recognized experts. The program of study is divided into four modules:
Each participant in the program prepares an action plan applicable to the local work in his or her community. Developing women's leadership in faith-based and community institutions is one of the major concerns of the Summer Leadership Institute. The SLI is a full-time residential program, with classes five days a week. Attendance is required at all of the program's sessions and activities. Participants must remain free of outside responsibilities and distractions during the two weeks. Because the workload is so demanding, participants cannot be accompanied by their families. |
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Copyright 2009 President and Fellows of Harvard College. All rights reserved. |