Events at this location

Most people spend a good part of their day communicating with others. Generally, motivation is dependent on communication. We are adequate talkers, but inadequate listeners. Together we discuss four levels of listening and how listening impacts motivation.

Learning Objectives

1. Develop the skill to listen to hear
2. Understand the connection between motivation and listening
3. Create a plan to apply listening, communicating, and understanding to your daily conversations

This program is ideal for: anyone interested in improving their listening skills

About Our Facilitator

Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners. (read more)

In-Person 3 Hour Session

Learning Objectives

1. Explore and dissect their own personal and professional challenges of a management role
2. Recognize common issues to the role, and recognize they are not alone in the fight
3. Discover resources that can assist in their journey
4. Begin creating a clearer path to avoid the pitfalls of middle-management

This program is ideal for:  new managers, middle-managers, and those who lead them.

About Our Facilitator

Ted Ward, the founder of Achieve Onward, has more than 25 years of organizational leadership experience, often serving in a middle-management role as a change agent with groups and organizations needing to pivot toward new strategies and practices.

Having a lifelong spirit of entrepreneurship, Ted has enjoyed numerous ventures in roles requiring a healthy understanding of customer service and leadership. He also enjoyed some time performing with ComedySportz Indianapolis – where he discovered many of the teambuilding, leadership, and professional development practices/philosophies he had been using all along, are parallel to many key attributes of Improv comedy (e.g. “Who’s Line is it Anyway?”) as well. Ted continues to borrow from these key attributes in his ongoing work in helping individuals, teams, and organizations to improve and succeed.

Ted has served with numerous not-for-profit organizations, is a former Chief Probation Officer and President of the Probation Officers Professional Association of Indiana, and he currently serves in a dual role as administrator and faculty at Ball State University. His personal mission statement reads: “I intend to encourage, inspire, and support growth and development among the people I influence.”

Sponsored by:

Everyone is a leader, but not everyone leads from the top. When you actively lead up you are supporting the leaders in your company. If you fail to “Lead Up” you can contribute to missed opportunities, confusion, and failures in your organization. Even if you lack positional power, you can lead up by serving others. Join us as we discuss the benefits of leading up and leading well. .

Learning Objectives

1. Understand the importance of Leading Up.
2. Recognize that you can Lead Up at any level.
3. Discuss how and when to lead up.
4. Discuss the consequences of not leading up.

This program is ideal for: Young professionals, HR managers, emerging leaders, first time supervisors, mid-level managers, C-Suite executives, corporate trainers, business consultants, speakers, and coaches.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $80 non-member. $60 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

E. Jake Gamble is an executive coach, thought leader, writer, leadership/performance advisor, and underdog advocate. Jake’s candor, passion, sense of humor, and real-world approach to business and life make him a favorite coach, trainer, speaker, and mentor to many. Mr. Gamble established Leadership Support Services in 2009. His passion is leadership with an emphasis character development, authenticity, and transparency. Jake is an accomplished guitarist and vocalist who enjoys performing at small clubs and venues in the Fort Wayne, IN. regional area. In his spare time, he loves to spend time with his 5 yr. old French Bulldog, Frankie!

What should leaders start with every day? This interactive session explores what great leaders have on their metaphorical breakfast tray to build and sustain a positive organizational culture, improve staff recruitment and retention, and reach “championship levels” in leadership.

Learning Objectives

1. Learn about organizational culture and how it affects staff and customers.
2. Assess your own leadership style and competencies
3. Develop a customized “Breakfast of Champions” plan for improvement

This program is ideal for: anyone who supervises

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Mark Demchak has more than 25 years of nonprofit leadership experience working for 3 YMCAs in Illinois and Indiana. He currently serves as the Executive Director of the Miami County YMCA in Peru, Indiana, where under his leadership the Y has successfully built a new YMCA facility and medical clinic (open February 2022). Mark’s experience includes strategic planning, capital project development, fundraising, board development, and staff development, and he is a sought after trainer in leadership coaching. He holds a B.A. from Purdue University and an MFA from the University of Alaska, Fairbanks–both degrees are in Creative Writing.

Sponsored by:

Movement creates community and cultivates joy through something we do every day. This session will focus on taking care of ourselves through movement practices and how they can be utilized to foster more resilient teams. The session will include moments to discuss the act of “moving through,” how we can take a simple everyday activity to find more joy, and how the trauma-informed arts approach can transform our identities. Plan to leave energized! We will “move” together, so wearing your most comfortable clothing is suggested.

Learning Objectives

1. Affirmation: “I can move and you can too!” This affirmation will be an echoed theme for our time together. “Affirmations fire up your neural pathways and make changes to those areas of the brain that makes you happy and positive. Various studies also confirm affirmations: decrease health-deteriorating stress, increase the amount of exercise people do, help you eat more fruit and vegetables, and achiever more academically.”
2. Movement as medicine: Participants will be able to walk away with a natural form of medicine that can be healing to their holistic wellness.
3. Joy as a disruptor: Finding joy through movement is easy. We tap into the endorphins and dopamine that are natural mood boosters and painkillers. At times, we just need a simple movement break.
4. Movement As Organizer: Working with groups means organizing a variety of moving parts (no pun intended). Learning how to use movement to organize groups of people can be a useful technique to have in your tool belt.
5. Authenticity shapes Identity: Getting to know people can be understood by a simple song they select or the way they decide to move. Are they open or closed? Reserved or shy? Movement tells a story to fill in spaces where words may be lacking.

This program is ideal for: anyone looking to focus on self-care.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $80 non-member. $60 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Sanovia Garrett

As a Creative Entrepreneur, Performance Artist, and resident instigator, sparker, innergizer of JOY, Sanovia’s goal is to transform the world from the inside out using a trauma-informed arts based practice. Sanovia is a Muncie Central class of 2010 graduate as well as a first generation college graduate of Ball State University’s 2014 Communication Studies (leadership minor) class. She graduated with her Masters in Urban Studies (Community Arts) from Eastern University in 2018 and is now pursing a full time life as a creative as well as working as an enrollment counselor for the same University.

Many of Sanovia’s activities are centered on arts ( e.g., movement therapy, creative coaching, music performances, poetry, and joy-based events).

Her first ep, ‘You Have Everything You Need’ (YHEYN) which released on January 26th, 2020 was mostly recorded in her bedroom. The phrase YHEYN has been the guiding light she has used to help inspire her creativity throughout the last three years.

Sanovia is currently living in the Philadelphia, Pennsylvania area

Participants will discuss obstacles they face in their roles and will discuss ways of overcoming and dealing with said obstacles; learning from one another and even finding answers within themselves.

Learning Objectives

1. Determine specific obstacles each participant has or is currently facing
2. Determine what is underlying or causing these obstacles
3. Develop 3 strategies on how to overcome 1 or 2 obstacles

This program is ideal for: anyone in any position as each person cannot avoid having obstacles.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Jamelle Godlewski is the Owner & Director of Lead and Impact, LLC. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Mathematics from Purdue University, I spent 15 years in public education, and 10 in leadership roles (5 years in developing new programs.) I grew up in Indiana and taught at a couple of rural schools before relocating to Las Cruces, NM in 1998. There I worked at a high school with over 2500 students and was empowered in leadership and curriculum development. I returned to Indiana in 2004 and taught at Elkhart Central for 3 years and then was a Campus Coordinator for The Crossing Educational Center. In 2010, I left teaching altogether and started my own nonprofit, which I just recently left in December of 2022. I love adventure and travel, especially when I can do it with my daughter. My daughter will be graduating this year and I will be forced to embrace being an empty nester.

A hands on journey to a better understanding of generational differences.

Using our innovative, and proprietary, Generational Game Board, participants will explore the various social, political, and economic influences that shaped the working attitudes of the Greatest Generation, Baby Boomers, Generational X, Millennials and now Generation Z. Our game creates interesting, and informative, conversation among participants from various generations.

We provide you with a way of looking at another generation so you can relate to their experience and understand their perspective. We will provide case studies and activities that push you to find the value in what another generation has to offer.

Learning Objectives

• An appreciation of each of the major generational groups active in the workplace today
• An overview of the challenges and opportunities multi-generational teams present
• Insights regarding the world views, needs, and skill sets of various generations
• An understanding of how to facilitate effective collaboration among multi-generational group members

Cost is $250 per participant
SLA members may attend for free.
Lunch is Included.

Read more at: www.shaferleadership.com/fusion/

About Our Facilitators

Mitch Isaacs was named Shafer Leadership Academy’s Executive Director in May 2015. In this role, he works closely with the organization’s board of directors to fulfill the mission of the organization. He is responsible for creating vision, connecting with stakeholders, administering program offerings and leading the organization in meaningful ways.

Mitch has over a decade of college leadership experience spanning multiple campuses. He graduated from Ball State University in 2002 with a double major in History and Political Science and a minor in Counseling Psychology. Mitch completed his Master’s degree in Student Affairs and Higher Education at Indiana State University. Mitch returned to Ball State in 2005 and spent the next 10 years as a working professional in Higher Education, including five years as the Director of the Excellence in Leadership program, and Coordinator of the Leadership Studies Minor.

Mitch is an active member of the Muncie community. He serves as the President of the Country Village / Creekwood Neighborhood Association, Secretary for the Motivate Our Minds Board of Directors, and Secretary for the Indiana Leadership Association Board of Directors. Mitch sits on the board of directors for Muncie Action Plan and Muncie Rotary. Mitch is passionate about youth development, with roles as a Project Leadership Mentor, a Big Brother with Big Brothers / Big Sisters of Delaware County, and a member of the Burris Laboratory School Advisory Council.

He is committed to enhancing the leadership skills of the community and dedicated to Shafer Leadership Academy’s mission to ensure that individuals who have the desire to demonstrate leadership have access to world class leadership training close to home.

Tisha Gierhart was hired as Shafer Leadership Academy’s first Program Director in January 2014. She is primarily responsible for all activities related to the development, delivery, and assessment of leadership programs presented by Shafer Leadership Academy. In this role, she focuses on building collaborative relationships with Shafer Leadership Academy’s participants and partners.

Tisha holds a degree in Business Administration from Indiana Wesleyan University. She has worked in the healthcare field for fourteen years, where she developed her skills in leadership, project management and facilitation. Tisha served as an internal coach for IU Health Ball Memorial Hospital, where she worked to enhance the patient experience by cultivating a culture of service.

Tisha is an alumnus of Shafer Leadership Academy’s Emergence program and has completed Advanced Facilitator Training. Tisha is a Certified John Maxwell Speaker, Coach and Trainer. She is certified in The Leadership Challenge and has over 40 hours of certified coach training. Tisha is an active member in her community where she serves as a board member for the Jay County Cancer Society and is the Co-Chair of the Jay County Cancer Walk. She enjoys volunteering and is a member of the Portland Evening Optimist and Hickory Grove Church of the Brethren. Her work reflects her passion for making a difference, building relationships, and motivating others. She believes in leading by example and developing purposeful connections.

In this session, you will learn to coach employees to their strengths and weaknesses through constructive feedback. Highlighting professional development, their strengths and identify the ways they’ve already grown. Ways to coach an employee who needs to improve their performance. Explaining why coaching and change is important. Identifying barriers and coaching to the employee’s perspectives.

Learning Objectives

1. Improve individual employee performance.
2. Promote professional bonding and consistent communication.
3. Encourage professional development, continued learning and constant improvement.
4. Establish a regular cycle of positive and constructive feedback.
5. Increase efficiency in identifying and addressing performance issues.
6. Strengthen training for individual employees and setting effective goals.

This program is ideal for: young professionals, managers, first time supervisors and mid-level managers

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $50 non-member. $30 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

James Joseph has been in the profession of professional development and training for the past 26+ years. He began as an instructor for the United States Marine Corps for 8 years and is a subject matter expert of training and development in the banking industry. He is highly skilled in sales, conflict resolution, team building, leadership, and coaching. He has a deep drive for process improvement and employee engagement in all that he does as a leader.

In-Person 3 Hour Session

Learning Objectives

1. An invitation to a personal examination, identifying what may keep the individual from spending their time on the things that matter most to them
2. How to identify events that reduce their productivity and solutions to prevent those events
3. An understanding about time and strategies to manage it better
4. How to recognize lost time and the opportunities to recover it

This program is ideal for:  anyone who works in an office environment and is responsible to manage the work they do on any given day.

Cost: Free for SLA Members. $250 non-member. $200 nonprofits.

Individuals who are either unemployed or connected with an employer who is unable to pay can request scholarships for any of our programs.

About Our Facilitator

Janet Jackson is passionate about three things: her faith, her family, and helping others find time to pursue their passions, professionally and personally. She started Organization Solutions, LLC, in 2001, because she loves people and hates inefficiency.

Prior to starting Organization Solutions, Janet spent six years with Honda of America Manufacturing where she served as the Purchasing Lead on a corporate-wide software implementation, ensuring business and system processes were efficient and effective. She left Honda in 2000 to start Organization Solutions and to have more time for her biggest priority, being a mom.

Janet attended Taylor University in Upland, Indiana, where she double majored in Business Administration and Psychology. She graduated with honors in 1993. While at Taylor, she continued to grow her desire and ability to serve as a leader, which was cultivated initially by her ten-year involvement with Indiana 4-H.

With Indiana roots, Janet and family are currently planted in Ohio. She speaks regionally and nationally to bring increased organization, productivity, and efficiency to businesses and individuals.