Abstract
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NHSAA
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Leadership
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August, 2001
Abstract
NHSAA – Leadership Institute
August, 2001
The NHSAA Leadership Institute was an initiative created by the New Hampshire
School Administrators Association and supported by the New Hampshire Best Schools
Leadership Institute (BSLI). NHSAA is a private non-profit educational organization in New
Hampshire, founded in 1941. The membership includes all school system superintendents and
system level administrators from New Hampshire. The Best Schools Leadership Institute was
an initiative created by Governor Jeanne Shaheen to identify and support critical practices that
lead to the development of outstanding public education systems. The BSLI is operated
through the New Hampshire Department of Education under the leadership of Commissioner
Nicholas Donohue.
The NHSAA Leadership Institute began as a result of a summer planning session held
in August of 2000. The two day institute was held at the University of New Hampshire’s New
England Conference Center and included 40 members of NHSAA who agreed to attend the 2day overnite event and participate in the year long program. The 2-day event began with a
keynote address by Dr. Paul Houston, the Executive Director of the American Association of
School Administrators (AASA). Dr. Houston addressed the topic of Leadership for the New
Millennium. Following the keynote address, participants heard from a panel of four Chief
Executive Officers of New Hampshire’s largest businesses and/or institutions as they
discussed their ideas of leadership. They included Dr. Joan Leitzel, President, University of
New Hampshire, Ms. Alyson Pitman Giles, President, CEO, Catholic Medical Center, Mr. John
Morrison, CEO, Hitchner Corp. and Mr. Walter Havenstein, President, Sanders, a Lockheed
Martin Co. Following the panel presentation, members engaged in a question and answer
session and a general discussion about the common traits of leaders from the private sector.
During the second day of the summer institute, participants heard a presentation from
four Educational Leaders from New Hampshire discussing the aspects of Leadership in
educational institutions. Those included were two prior New Hampshire Superintendents of
the Year, Ms. Elizabeth McCoy, and Mr. Dennis Pope, the Dean of the Graduate School of
Education from the University of New Hampshire - Dr. Bruce Mallory and the Vice Rector of
St. Paul’s School - Dr. Sharon Hennessey. Following this presentation, members discussed the
common characteristics of leadership that were shared between the business and education
sectors. In addition, members created the goals and outlined the agendas for the four
institutes to be scheduled during the 00-01 school year.
Cohort One – 2000-01:
Each of the 40 NHSAA members that participated in the summer leadership institute
agreed to identify two emerging educational leaders from their respective districts. The
selection criteria was left to the discretion of the members, but the idea was to identify
individuals from a variety of levels who had either expressed the ability and/or interest in
becoming an educational leader. Summer participants agreed to attend the four school year
sessions with their chosen aspiring leaders. The vast majority of members continued with
their active participation and we began our first session with approximately 110 participants.
It is important to note that throughout the four sessions our attendance held at a high level of
between 80 and 110 at each of the four sessions held throughout the school year.
The four sessions centered on critical aspects of leadership that members felt were
important for new and emerging leaders to discuss and to develop an informed position.
These included the topics of: “The Soul of Leadership - leader as servant”, “The Science of
Leadership”, “The Art of Leadership”, and “The Practical Aspects of Leadership - getting and
keeping a position of leadership”. The agendas for these four sessions are included as
Appendix A of this abstract.
The initial session titled “The Soul of Leadership - leader as servant” featured four
speakers from four different walks of life, whose charge was to deliver a 15-20 minute
presentation, addressing the subject the title of the agenda. Participants included an Episcopal
Priest and Rector of St. John’s in Portsmouth, NH - Rev. Timothy Rich, a Professor of
Education at Dartmouth College who specializes in moral leadership research - Dr. Andrew
Garrod, a School Superintendent from one of our poorest school districts - Dr. Robert
Patterson and a former state senator and retired surgeon - Dr. James Squires. These
individuals presented rich presentations that featured unique insights into the critically
important roles of leaders as ministers, as missionaries, or as individuals who engage in
difficult and important work but serve a wonderful social mission.
The second session featured a presentation by one of New Hampshire’s Largest
Hospitals displaying their organizational training program for leadership development. The
Concord Hospital was represented by their Chief Operations Officer Mr. Joseph Connelly who
conducted a full day training session during which participants experienced components of
the leadership training program that is used for all employees in this large New Hampshire
hospital. Participants were most impressed by the scope and the quality of the training as well
as how similar the needs of hospitals are to those of schools in ministering to a broad
community.
The Third session titled “The Art of Leadership”, was designed to build a beginning
understanding of the skills necessary to build a community consensus among all members of a
school community. Our keynote address for the day was Mr. Lew Feldstein, who is the
Executive Director of the New Hampshire Charitable Foundation. His organization developed
a New Hampshire response to the research developed by Dr. Robert Putnam in his book
Bowling Alone. Mr. Feldstein’s presentation titled “NewHampshireTogether” can be accessed
from their website: <newhampshiretogether.com>. And, an individual who had conducted a
doctoral study of four New Hampshire school districts and their initiatives in building a
community consensus profiled the results of her work. Participants gained an understanding
of the research that supported the importance of developing social capital within communities
and discussed practical ways that school districts can meet that challenge and promote a
strong community understanding.
The final session, “The Practical Aspects of Leadership” featured the Human Resource
Trainer from Concord Hospital who shared an entertaining and informative leadership style
profile exercise with participants. They were engaged in an activity designed to practically
look at each person’s leadership style and how styles work together in developing teams. In
addition, participants developed and shared their plans for their own future development as
leaders and discussed appropriate professional development activities that will sustain their
continued professional development and provide support to their work.
In summary, the New Hampshire School Administrators Association is pleased to be
continuing its work in developing a Second Cohort of potential leaders that will begin during
the 2001-2002 school year. This initiative is supported by the New Hampshire Best Schools
Leadership Institute and will include a three meeting phase for individuals who were part of
the Cohort One program and an introduction and new phase to identify individuals to
participate in a Cohort Two group.
At the time of this publication, planning is still being finalized but the Cohort One
initiative will include a beginning meeting in which members of “Cohort One” will be invited
to identify a promising educational leader and attend an opening session with them. The
members that have identified will then continue in a training program as our “Cohort Two”
and the initial members will follow a separate strand of training for Cohort One. Following
the initial session, Cohort One will have specialized training on the topics of Data Based
Decision-making and receive a coupon that may be used as a free registration at any one of the
twelve programs in the NHSAA annual program.
Members of Cohort Two, following the initial training session will repeat the three
sessions that the individuals took part in during the first year.
The participants in Cohort One completed evaluations of their experiences and
uniformly found the institute to be very valuable and new members in particular found it
encouraging to their continued work. In brief, the participants felt a special level of
recognition by being identified as a prospective leader and were enlightened by the varied
presentations and encouraged to pursue leadership opportunities.
Appendix A
Agendas from each Session
Educational Leadership – New Hampshire
Summer Agenda
New England Conference Center
UNH, Durham, NH
Day 1 - Monday, August 14th, 2000
10:00
Coffee
10:30
Intro/Welcome – NHSAA Professional Development Committee
10:45-11:45
Keynote Address – Dr. Paul Houston, Executive Director,
American Association of School Administrators
11:45-12:45
Lunch
12:45-2:15
Panel of Outstanding Business Leaders Will:
• Describe one major change that has had a lasting impact on their organization
and discuss the leadership attribute(s) that make such a change possible.
(approximately 15 minutes each)
Ø Dr. Joan Leitzel, President, University of New Hampshire
Ø Ms. Alyson Pitman Giles, President, CEO, Catholic Medical Center
Ø Mr. John Morrison, CEO, Hitchner Corp.
Ø Mr. Walter Havenstein, President, Sanders, a Lockheed Martin Co.
2:15-2:35
Break and Prepare Questions
2:35-3:15
Questions and Answers (Press Club Style) to the Panel
• Dr. Kenneth DeBenedictis, Facilitator
3:15-4:15
Small Group Discussion Focusing on Critical Questions
4:15-5:30
Free Time for Participants to Check into the Hotel
5:30-6:15
Reception
6:15-7:30
Dinner as a Group
7:30-8:30
Group Worksession - Identify Qualities of Emerging Leaders
Educational Leadership – New Hampshire
Summer Agenda
New England Conference Center
UNH, Durham, NH
Day 2 - Tuesday, August 15th, 2000
8:00-9:00
Breakfast
9:00-9:15
Review of Prior Day's Work – Dr. Richard Ayers
9:15-10:30
Panel of Education Leaders Will:
Ø Describe one major change that has had a lasting impact on their organization
and discuss the leadership attribute(s) that make such a change possible.
(approximately 15 minutes each)
• Mr. Dennis Pope, 1999 Supt. of the Year & Supt., SAU #25
• Ms. Betty McCoy, 1998 Supt. of the Year & Retired Supt.
• Dr. Sharon Hennessey, Vice Rector, St. Paul's School, Concord, NH
• Dr. Bruce Mallory, Dean of Graduate Studies, University of NH
10:30
Break
10:45-11:30
Questions and Answers (Press Club Style) to the Panel
• Dr. Kenneth DeBenedictis, Facilitator
11:30-12:00
Define Next Steps Needed to Promote the Development of Future
Educational Leaders
Ø Refine ideas from both days of the meeting
Ø Plan agenda for the four meetings through the next year
12:00
Lunch
1:30
th
Recess to Next Meeting: October 27 , 2000
NHSAA Leadership Institute
Session # 2 of 5
October 27th, 2000
Merrimack Radisson Hotel, Merrimack, NH
8:00 – 3:00
The Soul of Leadership
8:00 – 8:30
Coffee and Registration
8:30
Welcome and Introduction
Review of the Structure and Purpose of the Leadership Institute
- Dr. Richard Ayers
8:35
Introductory Activity – Dr. Mark V. Joyce
9:05
Session #1 – Presentations on the Soul of Leadership
* Rev. Timothy Rich, Rector,
St. John’s Episcopal Church, Portsmouth, NH
* Dr. Robert Patterson, Superintendent of Schools, SAU #6
Claremont-Cornish-Unity, New Hampshire
10:05
Identify Discussion Partners
10:15
Break
10:30
Pair Discussion
“What are one or two attributes of leadership, as illustrated by the
presenters, that are meaningful to you?”
10:45
Session #2 – Presentations on the Soul of Leadership
* Dr. Andrew Garrod, Chair of Education Department
Dartmouth College
* Senator James Squires
New Hampshire Senate District 12, Hollis, NH
11:45
Pair Discussion
“What are one or two attributes of leadership, as illustrated by the
presenters, that are meaningful to you?”
12:00
Lunch
1:00
Panel Discussion – Dr. Kenneth DeBenedictis, Moderator
Questions and Answers
Guided Discussion with the Four Presenters
1:45
Structured Table Discussion
Topic:
The Importance of Soul in the Development of Educational Leaders.
Questions:
- “What are the characteristics of the “Soulful” leader?”
- “What or how can I/we do to promote the understanding and practice
of these characteristics in current and future leaders?”
2:30
Summary of Table Ideas
- Review ideas from each table
2:50
Conference Summary
Evaluation of Session
- At the end of the day we request that participants please place a
completed evaluation form in the box on the registration table. A
Certification of Attendance form will be available on the table at the
end of the day for your use.
Next Meetings:
Session Two - “The Craft of Leadership” - January 26, 2001
Location: Courtyard Marriott, in Concord, NH
Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Session Three – “The Art of Leadership” – March 30, 2001
Location: TBA
Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Session Four – “Practical Aspects of Educational Leadership” – June 1, 2001
Location: TBA
Time: 8:00 AM – 3:00 PM
Note of Appreciation:
On behalf of all participants we would like to extend our special appreciation to our
outstanding speakers for their generous contribution of their ideas, time and talents. In
addition, we would like to thank the NH Best Schools Project and the NH School
Administrators Association for their ongoing support of the Leadership Institute.
NHSAA Leadership Institute
Session # 3 of 5
Thursday, February 8th, 2001 (NOTE DATE CHANGE)
Courtyard Marriott, Concord, NH
8:00 – 3:00
“The Science of Leadership”
8:00 – 8:30
Coffee and Registration
8:30 a.m.
The Principles of Leadership Important to Concord Hospital
This will include discussion and participatory exercises which focus upon
situational leadership, importance of allegiance to mission, vision and
values, performance management system and “values centered”
leadership.
10:15
Break
10:30 a.m.
What a Leader needs to Master to be Effective
This discussion will expand upon the importance of mission, vision and
values and will relate the importance of the leader as a change agent.
Participants will have an opportunity to model leadership behavior and
will come to an understanding of the importance of a leader being
comfortable and secure with their stature as a leader.
11:30 a.m.
Movie. “Gettysburg”
An insight to the principles of leadership followed by opportunities for
groups to participate in a discussion on the relevance reflected in the
movie. “Gettysburg”.
12:15
Lunch
12:45 p.m.
Organizational Expectations for Senior Leaders
An open discussion on how quality organizations establish expectations
for leaders and assist in successfully meeting these expectations.
1:45 p.m.
Personal Journeys in Leadership – Their Stories
•
James
•
•
2:30 p.m.
Diane
Karen
Adjournment
NHSAA Leadership Institute
Session #4 of 5
Friday, March 30th, 2001
Holiday Inn, Concord, NH
8:00 – 3:00
“The Art of Leadership”
Building Consensus in Our Communities
8:00 – 8:30
Coffee and Registration
8:30 a.m.
Overview of Agenda and Purposes
Introductory Activity
9:00 a.m.
“Creating Social Capital” – Keynote Address
Mr. Lewis M. Feldstein
President of New Hampshire Charitable Foundation
10:00
Break
10:15 a.m.
“Research and Experiences in Engaging
School Communities in New Hampshire”
Dr. Susan Auerbach
Consultant
11:15 a.m.
Structured Activity
12:00
Lunch
1:00 p.m.
“Lessons Learned About Building Community Involvement”
Panel Discussion
Mr. Michael Cozort, Asst. Superintendent, SAU #46
Dr. Richard Lates, Retired Superintendent, SAU #12
Dr. Henry LaBranche, Superintendent, SAU #57
Dr. Leo Corriveau, Superintendent, SAU #34
2:30 p.m.
Summary
3:00 p.m.
Adjournment
NHSAA Leadership Institute
Session #5 of 5
Friday, June 1st, 2001
Holiday Inn, Concord, NH
8:00 – 3:00
“Leadership ~ Designing the Journey”
8:00 – 8:30
Coffee and Registration
8:30 a.m.
Introduction
8:45 – 10:15
“Personality Profile” Rocco Ricci, M.S., Concord Hospital
Self Assessment of Participants
Description of Styles
10:15
Break
10:30 – 12:00
Getting Beyond the Perceptual Biases
Learning to Strengthen All Styles and Collaborating
12:00
Lunch
1:00 – 2:20
“What are the Common Characteristics of Leaders and How can They be
Sustained?”
Create an Individual Action Plan
Group Reflection
Summary
2:20 – 2:45
“The Importance of Educational Leaders
Governor Jeanne Shaheen (invited)
3:00 p.m.
Adjournment