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The Tipton Mayor’s Youth Leadership Program

Learning to Lead

Sponsored by the City of Tipton and supported by the Mayor, the goal of this program is to explore the dynamics of leading groups.  Through experiential learning, students will gain insight on the relevance of what it means to be a leader on campus and the surrounding community of Tipton. In this two-semester experience, students will be assigned to a group with other students in the program in a way that utilizes communication and collaboration styles learned in the program.

 

We will accept up to 25 High School students (Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors) from the Tipton community.

 

Students will

  • Discover their leadership skills, learn new skills, and lead each other.
  • Explore proven leadership practices while working in a group to identify a social issue that is prevalent on their school campus and/or Tipton community.
  • Attend a teambuilding gathering/retreat, and then engage with multiple group project sessions and workshops in which the theme of group leadership will be discussed.
  • Experience a unique field trip, looking at leadership through a different lens.
  • Work to complete a group service project over the course of an academic year.
  • Make friends and have fun!

In the fall, students will be asked to identify a community challenge or opportunity, and then create a proposal to address it.  In the spring, student groups will come back together to gather resources and implement their plan with the guidance of program faculty.

Fall Schedule

Most meetings will take place at Tipton County Foundation (1020 W Jefferson St, Tipton, IN 46072). Meals will be provided during every in-person meeting. Lunch will be provided during the Opening Retreat and the Field Trip.

The program begins in September 2025 and concludes April 2026 with the completion of group projects.

  • Fall Schedule
    • Wednesday, September 3, 9:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Gathering / Retreat (Tipton County Foundation – 1020 W. Jefferson St., Tipton, IN 46072)
    • Monday, September 8, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Learning About You
    • Monday, September 15, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Discovering Issues 
    • Monday, September 22, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Setting Expectations & Sharing Issues
    • Monday, September 29, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Conflict and Selecting Your Issue 
    • Monday, October 6, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Pitch Your Issue
    • Monday, October 13, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Mission Statement and Project Goals 
    • Monday, October 20 – FALL BREAK (Will Not Meet)
    • Monday October 27, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Utilizing Your Resources 
    • Monday, November 3, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. TO-DOs and Timelines 
    • Monday, November 10, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.  Group Worknight
    • Monday, November 17, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Pitch Proposal/Celebration

      Spring Schedule

    • Mid-January.  Teambuilding Field Trip: “The Art of Leadership” – Newfield’s

    (Specific Date/Time to be determined)

    • Monday, January 26, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Model the Way
    • Monday, February 2, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Inspire a Shared Vision
    • Monday, February 23, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Group Work Night
    • Monday, March 2, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Challenge the Process
    • Monday, March 9, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Group Work Night
    • Monday, March 16, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Enable Others to Act
    • Monday, March 23, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Encourage the Heart
    • Monday, March 30 – SPRING BREAK (Will Not Meet)
    • Monday, April 13, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Group Work Night
    • Monday, April 20, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Final Presentations & Reception

    * Minor adjustments to this schedule are possible in response to unforeseen circumstances and in order to facilitate a better leadership development experience.

Who’s In Charge?

This program is a collaboration between the City of Tipton, Tipton Community Schools, Tri-Central Community Schools, and Shafer Leadership Academy. Program staff will include at least one seasoned staff member/faculty from one of the area schools, along with Shafer Leadership Academy Facilitator Ted Ward.

Periodically, Mayor Schmicker and other community leaders will serve as guest presenters, proposal evaluators ,and encouraging champions for these student leaders. Additionally, student program alumni will serve as volunteer guides to support this year’s participants.

Want to Learn More?

Read about how Shafer Leadership Academy has helped other high schoolers complete impactful community projects, while receiving rave reviews from students and families.

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