Program Format: Coffee Talk

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)

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.

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.

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.