APPLICATION
On Jan. 14 of this year the Indiana State Bar Association Board of Governors adopted a resolution to establish a leadership forum to empower and develop lawyers to be informed, committed and involved so that they may fill significant leadership roles in local and state bar associations, in Indiana communities and organizations and to serve as role models in matters of ethics and professionalism.
The ISBA Leadership Development Academy (LDA) will feature professional facilitators and prominent speakers from various disciplines to inform participants about leadership principles and techniques, the importance of effective leaders in organizations to maximize efficiency and effectiveness, and the challenges and rewards of leadership in action.
The inaugural ISBA Leadership Development Academy class will be limited to 25 Indiana lawyers who have been admitted to practice for less than 15 years. The Academy will be conducted in sessions on Jan. 19-21, Feb. 13-14, March 8-9, April 12-13 and May 17-18, 2012. Applicants should ensure they are available to attend each session and be willing to travel to various parts of the state for sessions. Applicants must be members of the ISBA. The program fee is $950, which is due after selected applicants are notified. Scholarships are available for those demonstrating need. Please provide two copies of the completed application, along with your current résumé, to Catheryne Pully in the ISBA office. Applications will be accepted in person or via mail sent to the Indiana State Bar Association, One Indiana Square, Suite 530, Indianapolis, IN 46204. Applicants will be informed by Nov. 30 if they are selected.
Opening Retreat
The Opening Retreat is scheduled for Jan. 19-21, 2012, at Fort Harrison State Park in Indianapolis. The focus of the Opening Retreat is to form a learning community among attendees so that they can develop the relationship necessary to openly and effectively discuss difficult and sensitive issues. To that end, the retreat begins with an informal reception on Thursday evening, Jan. 19, to provide participants the opportunity to make introductions and mingle with Leadership Development Academy faculty and staff before the real work of the weekend begins. Friday and Saturday, Jan. 20-21, will involve interactive activities, directed by professional facilitators, designed to develop the understanding and skills necessary for effective leadership in the diverse environment of community service and the legal profession. This format is designed to enhance the attendees' leadership skills while also emphasizing the importance of integrity and ethics in building trusting community relationships.
Session 1
Session 1 is set for Feb. 13-14 at the State Capitol in Indianapolis and will focus on state government and the media. The session begins on the evening of Feb. 13 with a special tour of the Statehouse, followed by a reception. On Feb. 14, attendees will be treated to a tour of the U.S. Courthouse and hear some remarks by a federal judge on leadership. The remainder of the day will be spent at the Statehouse. Participants will observe a full session of the House and/or Senate as well as a committee hearing, and will meet with a panel of lawyer-legislators to learn about the legislative process and how leadership is used to build consensus. There will be meetings with members of the executive branch, including the Attorney General and the Solicitor General, to discuss executive leadership techniques and challenges. There will also be meetings with lobbyists for more insight into the legislative process and with media representatives on how to deal effectively with the media. Attendees will get a look inside the Supreme Court robing and conference rooms, and will have lunch with the Justices in the area outside the Courtroom of the Indiana Supreme Court.
Session 2
Session 2 is scheduled for March 8-9 at Indiana University Northwest in Gary and will focus on the importance of diversity in leadership. The session will open with a welcome to the City of Gary by mayoral candidate and former Indiana Attorney General Karen Freeman-Wilson. Next, influential community leaders will have a panel discussion regarding best practices, the role of leaders in relation to opportunities to increase diversity awareness, and diversity as a means to enrich our community and foster intellectual and social growth through our leaders. The panel discussion – "Are We There Yet?" – will delve into the need for gender and racial balance in key leadership roles. After the morning session, lunch will be served in the Indiana University Northwest cafeteria, with a brief welcome to campus by Chancellor William Lowe. The afternoon session will include an oral argument before the Indiana Court of Appeals in the university's auditorium. The session will end with remarks and a charge to the group by Indiana Supreme Court Justice Robert D. Rucker.
Session 3
Session 3 is set for April 12-13 at the Muscatatuck Urban Training Center in Butlerville and will focus on public safety. The Indiana National Guard will host this session, and attendees will hear from the FBI, Immigration & Customs Enforcement (ICE) and other public safety entities on leadership and the challenges of leadership. Students will be exposed to the nationally recognized urban training site and observe some of the training that first responders, search and rescue teams, and special operations units such as the Navy SEALs and the Army's Special Forces come to southern Indiana to experience. Attendees will receive an overview of the entire Indiana National Guard operation from a leadership perspective from Major General Martin Umbarger, the State's Adjutant General, and Brigadier General Omer Tooley, the Assistant Adjutant General. There will be a Thursday evening meal and guest speaker. Friday morning will begin with a breakfast in the mess hall, followed by an action-packed and inspiring "leadership on parade."
Session 4
Session 4 is scheduled for May 17-18 in Fort Wayne and will focus on education and local government. For the morning portion, LDA candidates will interact with leaders in education as they discuss important issues facing schools and learning in Indiana. Candidates will also observe a demonstration of the "We the People" civics program and learn how they can help bring the program to their communities. The morning sessions will be held at the Allen County Courthouse. The afternoon portion will focus on local government. LDA candidates will interact with local government officials on topics involving municipalities. The afternoon session will take place at Citizens Square. On May 17, the evening before the last session, there will be a social gathering in Fort Wayne. In the early evening of May 18, the Leadership Development Academy candidates will cap off their experience with a graduation ceremony held at the Allen County Courthouse Rotunda.
Speakers are subject to change. Precise arrangements are in the process of being finalized. Meals and lodging are included in each session.