2016 FSA Leadership Institute
Application Information
The FSA Leadership Institute offers unique and
in-depth experiential learning opportunities for
current, emerging and new senior leaders to
enhance and deepen an understanding of leading
in a Quaker affiliated organization. The experience
is designed to give leaders ways of thinking and
practicing that are congruent with Quaker Values.
Program Design
The FSA Leadership Institute is a cohort-model program. The group will meet three times inperson for intense, engaging and practical educational experiences over three days. In between
sessions, the group will connect and process learning via conference calls, webinars, and/or
email. Throughout the Institute we will connect various learnings and experiences with Quaker
history, values and practices.
Face-to-face meetings will be held at the ACE Conference Center in suburban Philadelphia
(Lafayette Hill, PA) and occur on the following dates:
Leadership Institute 2016 Dates
Wednesday, March 9 – Friday, March 11 2016
Wednesday, May 11 - Friday, May 13, 2016
Wednesday, July 13 - Friday, July 15, 2016
Participants will explore identified leadership practices that are especially important in Quakerinspired organizations. These include:
 the importance of recognizing that everyone has value and the capacity to contribute
 actively seeking the minority voice
 community voice and building community
 consensus decision making
 continuing revelation
 egalitarianism/distribution of leadership
 transparency
 managing differences
 transparency
In order to give participants ways of thinking and practicing that are congruent with Quaker
values, we will include knowledgeable speakers and provide information and practice on
various models and system frameworks that reflect the values in action. Examples of these are:
 Peer Coaching
 Quaker Model of Decision Making
 Appreciative Inquiry
 Patterns of System Dynamics
 Clearness Process
 Polarity Management
 Hermann Brain Dominance Instrument
 Levels of Decision Making
Quotes from Participants:

“It was an invaluable experience which I highly recommend. It transformed my way of
thinking about leadership.”

“The FSA Leadership Institute has provided insights, tools, growth, clarity and will impact
my leadership in ways I could never have imagined. The investment my organization made
in me by encouraging me to attend will be felt throughout our entire organization. I am so
thankful for this opportunity!”

“This was a great way to learn new skills and learn to look at what you do through ‘Quaker
eyes.’ It was a great value to network with the next generation of leaders and learn from
established leaders.”
Benefits of Participation
 Increase self-awareness to support understanding of your leadership capacity and behaviors
 Encourage and support continuing revelation about your leadership stance
 Learn tools for engagement and shared decision making that foster collaboration and build
a sense of community
 Hone skills of listening, asking questions and reflection that create trust, enhance coaching
and build the capacity of others
 Be a part of a supportive network of other leaders of FSA member organizations
Lead Faculty
Nancy Aronson, PhD, has been bringing practical, collaborative methods to
organizations and communities facing complex issues since 1980. She has
applied this expertise to cases related to strategic planning, organization
redesign, critical cross-boundary meetings, and leadership development.
She is co-editor of Deep Lessons on Collaboration: How Collaboration Really
Works and a contributing author to Future Search in School District Change;
Connection, Community and Results and The Handbook of Large Group
Interventions. She has done presentations and guest lectures for a variety
of organizations including: Citi-Alliance-Penn Non-Profit Day, Drexel’s Executive Leadership
Program for Women in Academic Medicine, National Staff Development Council, Women’s
Educational Leadership Caucus of PA, American Association of Homes and Services for the
Aging, Georgetown University School of Nursing and Moscow University. Nancy is a clinical
assistant professor in the Organizational Development and Leadership Program at Philadelphia
College of Osteopathic Medicine where she teaches courses on Appreciative Inquiry, Systems
Literacy and a Master Class on Large Group Design Skills for Leaders and Consultants.
Selection Criteria and Process
 Participation is open to staff of FSA member organizations. One staff application per site.
 Applicants must be nominated by their Board Chair and/or CEO. If the applicant is the
highest ranking executive officer, the organization’s board chair should be the nominator
 Applicants should be current or emerging senior leaders and CEOs. The applicant should
have prior leadership training and experience.
 Applicants should have a willingness to fully participate and contribute to the learning of
others.
 Applications will be reviewed by a committee made up of representatives from FSA
member organizations & FSA Staff. All submissions are confidential.
Tuition
$3,500 - Includes meals during workshops and accommodations. Travel expenses are the
responsibility of the member organization. (Funds are available for tuition and travel stipends in
cases of documented financial need. Contact FSA for more information).
Submission Instructions:
Please send the four components listed below to the FSA office by Monday, December 11,
2015.
Application Components
1. Sponsorship Letter
Applicants should send a letter of sponsorship from the CEO of the applicant’s
organization. If the applicant is the highest ranking executive officer, the board chair
should submit the letter.
2. Resume
Please indicate leadership development training and experience on your resume.
3. Leadership Essay
Provide an answer to the following question. Your answer can be written (no more than
500 words) or in video format (5 minutes).
“How does this program fit into your leadership journey?”
4. Contact and Information Sheet: (see attached page)
Attn: Marsha Wesley Coleman
Friends Services for the Aging
670 Sentry Parkway, Suite 120
Blue Bell, PA 19422-2325
coleman@fsainfo.org
www.fsainfo.org
For additional information regarding the FSA Leadership Institute contact us at (215) 646-0720.
4. Contact and Information Sheet (required with application)
Name:
Preferred Name for Name Badge:
Work Phone:
Cell Phone:
Home Phone:
Work Email Address:
Work Address:
Emergency Contact:
Dietary Preferences (i.e. Vegetarian, Kosher, allergies, etc.):
Please return to the FSA office by December 11, 2015
Attn: Ellen Moser, moser@fsainfo.org
Fax: 215-646-0724