Congratulations to the
2016 Class of the
Vermont School
Leadership Project
The collective sigh was heard upon hearing our assignment: Choose an artifact that represents our learning during the past 18 months at VSLP. Our logical left-sided brains struggled with the request to think abstractly, but not wanting to let our presenters and cohort down, we dutifully complied. The final morning of our program we gathered with our artifacts and anxiously waited for this session to begin. We were handed a small box with our names on it and index cards with each of our cohorts' names. As members of the group shared their artifact and their personal connections to the learning, each of us wrote a note to the person presenting. In the end, we received a box with 23 personal notes to take with us. We each cherish the notes we received. Weeks later, we continue to comment on them with each other. We then had a chance to discuss how we as a cohort plan to move forward after the class is done. Everyone wanted to stay connected! I look forward to this connection as it will serve as a reminder and an encouragement to keep the work we did at Snelling alive and thriving. As our families arrived to join us for the graduation luncheon, we enjoyed introducing each other to the people that were the characters of many tales told at dinners and throughout the day. For so many of us, our families are our inspiration and to have them with us that day completed the experience. Now several weeks later, the words of the speakers that day still resonate within me. As I make decisions each day, the Snelling voice on my shoulder whispers reminders of what I have learned. I believe the Snelling experience planted many seeds that I will nurture and allow to grow to make me a more reflective and intentional leader. The work of the past 18 months is taking root and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to have been a part of this transformative journey.
Jessica Barewicz, Teacher/Curriculm Leader at U32 Fernanda Canales, Principal of Salisbury School Todd Darrow, K-12 Math Leader at Lamoille South Joy Dobson, Teacher at Weybridge Jodie Elliott, Curriculum Director for Caledonia Central Scott Farnsworth, Director of Guidance at Hartford HS Amy Gale, Principal of Lyndon Town School Catherine Gallagher, Assistant Superintendent for Lamoille North Shawn Gonyaw, Principal of Barnet School Kendra LaRoche , Teacher at Burr and Burton Michael Lenox, Principal of Shoreham Elementary Christie Martin, Principal of Sheldon Allan Miller, Co-Principal of Shelburne Community Chris Miller, Guidance for Green Mountain CTC Rosanna Moran, Principal of Dorset Gretchen Muller, Teacher at Burlington High School Sarah Reed, Assistant Principal of Flood Brook School Kristin Romick, Special Educator for South Burlington Dena St. Amour, Co-principal of Swanton Joy Stewart, Teacher/Dean at Maple Street School Andrea Wasson, Director of Special Education for Caledonia Central Vicki Wells, Director of Student Services for ACSU Mary Whalen, Director for UP for Learning Theresa Young, Literacy Coach forCNSU
Having just graduated the Class of 2016, we are looking to recruit the next cohort for the Vermont School Leadership Program. Some of the feedback we received from the Class of 2016 included:
“This was truly an act of self-discovery--I think that self-discovery and reflection is a critical component of the Snelling mission and vision.”
“It was tremendous. I am a different leader, and a different person because of what I’ve learned here.”
“We were challenged to push our comfort zones, in a very safe environment, and we all grew as leaders.”
“Certainly, having the ability to meet with the same group over an 18-month period was so amazing. We were all here for the same purpose and the support we received from each other through this time was tremendous.”
If you are interested in applying to for one of the 24 slots for the VSLP Class of 2018, please open this link and submit your application.
If you would like to nominate an educational leader for the Class of 2018, please contact Val Gardner (valg@gmavt.net)and an invitation to apply to the program will be sent to them.
If you would like more information about the program, please feel free to check out the website, attend the Snelling Center Open House on December 8 from 5:00 – 7:00 in Montpelier at the North Branch Café, or contact Val Gardner at valg@gmavt.net or by phone 802 598 7462.
The Snelling Center for Government Announces an Open House event December 8th in Montpelier.
The Snelling Center for Government works to foster responsible and ethical civic leadership, encourage public service by private citizens and promote informed citizen participation in shaping public policy.
We invite you to join us for an open house on December 8 to learn more about our three leadership programs. Anyone who is interested in learning more about the:
are warmly invited to meet alumni and receive leadership institute information.
All of the Snelling Center Leadership programs address issues of statewide significance, create opportunities to network and build lasting relationships, and support leaders and aspiring leaders to deepen their personal and professional commitments to the common good.
The Early Childhood Leadership Institute (ECLI) is a unique leadership and personal transformative institute, initiated in 2014 to stimulate enthusiasm for and effective participation in efforts to improve early childhood work in Vermont.
You are strongly encouraged to apply if you are one or more of the following:
A parent wanting to expand your own leadership capacity.
A professional working with young children and families.
A professional of any sector interested in the complex systems of early childhood and families work.
Interested in civic engagement through the lens of early childhood and families.
Vermont Leadership Institute
to start Recruitment in January
It's that time again! We are gearing up to recruit for the 2018 Class of the Vermont Leadership Institute. If you have possible candidates, please encourage them to get their applications in. If you have someone in mind, please let me know and we will work with them.
You are, without a doubt, the most important recruitment tool! Please invite someone you know who can benefit by this experience.
If your candidates have questions, please have them be in touch with Pieter:pieter@snellingcenter.org.
If the financial commitment is a concern, please have them be in touch with Heidi: heidi@snellingcenter.org. We will do our best to help!
Last week, the Snelling Center for Government had the privilege to partner with the Joint Fiscal Office and the Office of Legislative Council to conduct the 2017-2018 New Legislator Orientation at the State House in Montpelier. With 5 new Senators and 34 new Representatives it was an exciting 3 days.
The energy and excitement during the welcome dinner were palpable as we heard from a panel of first-term and veteran legislators (which included our very own Diane Snelling who served from 2002-2016). The leadership advice and wisdom departed was timely and impactful.
While there are many VLI alumni who serve, or have served, in both the Vermont house and senate, we would like to highlight two VLI graduates that are new legislators serving on the 2017-2018 General Assembly.
Debbie Ingram (VLI 10) has been elected as a State Senator representing Chittenden County and Lori Houghton (VLI 16) has been elected as a House Representative for Essex Junction.
We wish them well on this wonderful journey "to foster responsible and ethical civic leadership, encourage public service by private citizens, and promote informed citizen participation in shaping public policy in Vermont".
Session 3: Leadership In Context (VLI Class of 2017)
The Vermont Leadership Institute (VLI) Class of 2017 hosted its third session Dec. 1-2 with the program's return to the Trapp Family Lodge. Suzanne Trahey, Director, Early Childhood Leadership Institute (VLI’14), accompanied to assist VLI Director Pieter Bohen.
The two-day retreat welcomed Dr. Mercedes Maria Avila, assistant professor in the Department of Pediatrics at the University of Vermont, and Martha Maksym, Executive Director, United Way of Northwest Vermont (VLI ’02) as guest faculty.
Maria presented on cultural competency, leading an examination on the ways that race, power, privilege and inequities impact the Vermont community. Martha explored how core values, both personal and organizational, affect an individual's leadership.
The class continued work on the intersection of their LPI-MBTI results and affect on leadership style, with an exercise and discussion led by Pieter. Suzanne led a closing activity that focused on body movement, as a way to get "unstuck" mentally.
The "best class ever" also made time for fun, including helped toast the Trapp's new Bierhall during after-hours bonding.
We would like to send a special "thank you" to all our alumni that volunteered their time to sign their classes' Year End letters. We had a great turn out both nights, Nov. 8th in Williston and Nov. 9th in Montpelier. It is always a great time getting to chat and hang out with our Alumni.
Chewing on Leadership is hosted by Vermont leaders, and creates a potent platform for relevant questions and meaningful dialogue about current events, and what inspires us in our work for leaders and change makers across Vermont .
Feedback from our Chewing On Leadership with Hal Colston discussing the question: Given that we will be facing more complex challenges in our communities and country, what will be the essential competencies for successful leaders?
I appreciated the questions. On leadership, competencies, community. It provided fodder for my own approach to leadership at this time.
Hearing the views and questions raised by others.
Exploring questions at the heart of leadership with other people.
That a group of people could come together and talk openly,
sit in silence and share space.
It was good to reconnect with Snelling colleagues and have a little reflection time about the state of our country.
Sharing feelings and struggles with respect to leadership
and having a space to listen and be heard.
Thoughtful conversation and a mental "space" to discuss/ponder politics in
leadership and our every day interactions.
______________
Next Chewing On Leadership - Tuesday January 24th 12:15-1pm
Question we will be chewing on: What leadership competencies are necessary to lead in the context of diversity and inclusion?
Since our founding in 1992, the Snelling Center has provided leadership programs such as the Vermont Leadership Institute, the Vermont School Leadership Project and more recently the Early Childhood Leadership Institute. As we write this letter, we are proud that our 850+ Snelling Center graduates can be found in leadership positions, building the capacity of over 250 Vermont organizations in the education, private and public sectors. Snelling Center graduates are truly leading Vermont’s future.
Our vision at the Snelling Center is that we should provide these opportunities to a socio-economically diverse group of promising Vermont leaders. To achieve this, in 2016 over 30% of our program participants are supported by Snelling Center scholarships. We do not have an endowment, and therefore each year we fund these scholarships through close friends such as yourself. Please consider a generous gift to help us support this year’s participants.
Each new generation is called forward to lead, and with your support, we can equip these leaders with a deep understanding of themselves, of the challenges facing Vermonters, and of a bright and sustainable future for our brave little State of Vermont. We look forward to hearing from you, and thank you in advance for your generous support.
We have been getting more and more requests to send job postings out to the VLN e-mail list-serve. One of the clear benefits to being part of the Vermont Leadership Network is knowing about these exciting opportunities and being able to share them with others in a timely manner. Instead of constantly overloading you with emails however, we have decided to share job postings in two ways:
1. At the end of each month, we will send out a VLN e-mail that will include current job postings, information about current Snelling Center programs and any relevant upcoming leadership events and/or opportunities.
2. You can post any job opportunity that you have to the VLN facebook groupat any time.
Provide leadership and management for all marketing and communications functions. Collaborate with Director of Public Affairs and occasionally with the Executive Committee.
Every child deserves a strong start and equal chance in life. Let's Grow Kids is a public awareness and engagement campaign about the important role that high-quality, affordable child care can play in supporting the healthy development of Vermont's children during their first five years—the most important years for laying a foundation for success in relationships, in school and in life. Because Vermont's shortage of high-quality, affordable child care is a serious challenge for our communities and our economy, our goal is to gain public support leading to increased, sustainable investment that gives all children the chance to reach their full potential. Let's Grow Kids is an initiative of the Permanent Fund for Vermont's Children. Organization: Vermont Works for Women
Want to help women get back to work? Vermont Works for Women, a non-profit organization helping women and girls recognize their potential and explore, pursue, and excel in work that leads to economic independence is seeking two full-time positions to be based out of our headquarters in Winooski, and the coordinator will work a portion of each week at the women’s prison.
We seek a coordinator and a manager for the Step In to Work program, a holistic work-readiness program designed to support women in overcoming employment barriers and return to work.
In addition to duties as Executive Director, the position will have a solid focus on B2B and Consumer Marketing. The successful candidate will be a self-starter who thrives on building relationships and furthering the reach of Barre’s fine granite producers. Interested candidates can find more information by visiting the career section at www. barregranite.org, or by forwarding a letter of interest, resume, and salary requirements/history to bga@barregranite.org
Last week, the Snelling Center for Government had the privilege to partner with the Joint Fiscal Office and the Office of Legislative Council to conduct the 2017-2018 New Legislator Orientation at the State House in Montpelier. With 5 new Senators and 34 new Representatives it was an exciting 3 days.
