January/February 2017
Bi-Monthly Alumni Newsletter

Happy New Year! 
We hope you all had a wonderful Holiday Season.
Alumni of the Year - Get Your Nominations In

The Mission of the Leadership McLean County program is to develop community leaders by cultivating skills, awareness and engagement through intentional learning experiences for the betterment of McLean County.  Each year the Chamber of Commerce awards a Leadership McLean County Program alum with the distinguished honor of "Alumni of the Year".  The Outstanding Alumni award goes to an individual who has taken his or her knowledge/skills and applied them to our community in a positive way.  Past recipients have truly made an impact in our community and are the true definition of a Servant Leader.  Do you know of an Alum that is deserving of this award?  If so, nomination forms are now available and are due by Fri. March 17, 2017. 


Alumni Luncheon - Save the Date

The Leadership McLean County Alumni Association is hosting a luncheon this year for all LMC alumni on April 7, 2017 starting at noon at the ISU Alumni Center.  At the luncheon we will present the Alumni of the Year award winner. 
This is the same day as the LMC current class members' projects presentations.  The class presentations will occur before and after the luncheon so you could also come early or stay after to see what the current LMC class has been working on.  

Leadership Lite

Alumni, missing your bi-monthly Friday leadership meetings?  Want to learn more about the great county we work and/or live in?  If so, check out the Alumni Leadership Lite program.  We offer periodic Friday meetings on community related topics. 

The next Leadership Lite session is scheduled for February 24, 2017, starting at 8 a.m. at the Chamber.  The topic is " Water in McLean County.

Why were potential PCB's from Clinton such an issue for McLean County in 2015? Could the same drought problems affecting California occur here? What steps have Normal, Bloomington, and McLean County taken collectively and separately to ensure our necessary water resources for years to come? If you would like to see behind the scenes as to how the community addresses these issues firsthand, this class is for you! The class will speak with local water leaders and tour local facilities including the Bloomington pumping station at Division St., the Normal Water Treatment Plant in uptown, and the water reclamation plant. Register and either attend the pieces that fit your schedule or travel with the entire class for the day. Lunch is provided with your registration. Questions? Contact  Ryan Scritchlow. Please register here.  


The Challenger Learning Center Needs Help

Alumni, if you are interested in being a part of The Challenger Learning Center advisory committee, please read this.  The Challenger Learning Center (CLC) is looking to add three people to their advisory committee. The CLC Advisory Committee purpose is to increase participation in CLC's missions and programs and increase awareness of and among education, industry, civic and community leaders in Central Illinois. If interested, please contact Glenn Harbin for details about the role and about the January 19th advisory committee meeting from 4:00 p.m. to 5:00 p.m.  

LMC's Best Marketing Comes from ... YOU!

Whether it was two years or two decades ago, if you had a positive experience when you participated in LMC, here's your chance to share it! Just go to the About Leadership McLean County page on the Chamber website and click the link to submit a testimonial. A few short paragraphs highlighting your experiences and lessons learned might pique the interest of a future applicant! There is also a link on the form to view a sample testimonial.

Comments collected from these forms will be used in future LMC marketing materials. If you are interested in having your testimonial video recorded, there is a place to indicate that on the form as well.

The best marketing for LMC will come from those who have participated. Please consider sharing your story-it may be one of the reasons someone chooses to apply to the program!


Alumni Contact Information

Have you moved? Changed jobs?  If so, please contact us at [insert link] so we can update your contact information.  If you know of any other Alumni who have moved or changed jobs, please share this link with them so we can make sure we have the most up-to-date contact information.  Thank you.

Leadership McLean County Current Class

Leadership Launch: Public Speaking
Julie Navickas, Class of '16, led off Government Day with a variety of tips for anyone who finds themselves tasked with speaking to a group. What are 6 things to consider about your audience? What are 11 ways to engage your audience during a speech? How (and how often) should humor be used? What are 8 rules of thumb about using technology? Her entertaining presentation included a role-playing game. By the end nearly half the class volunteered to put on theatrical examples of "poor delivery" tactics. Among this Launch's leadership challenge assignment options were to attend and evaluate a speech made by someone else, or to volunteer to contribute to a presentation at work.

Leadership Launch: Crucial Conversations
Most leaders have been in the position of discussing an uncomfortable and sensitive topic. Andy Schuster of GROWMARK, Inc. spent two hours during the Mid-Year Retreat training the class on the art of "mastering their stories" and delivering them in a fact-centered, open-ended fashion. The in-session exercises revealed how easily we spin facts into unfounded conclusions that drain our energy and success in crucial conversations. The class spent much of the time developing an approach for a real-life work situation they're facing, and was assigned to report back on how the conversation went in two weeks.

How Are We Doing? Mid-Year Progress Reports
At the Mid-Year Retreat the class got a chance to apply their recently learned public speaking tips and to share how they've grown as leaders so far this year by answering three questions about one of the Leadership Launch skills:
  • Where was your skill level before LMC? Give an example.
  • What steps did you take during LMC to improve this skill?
  • Give an example of your success in improving.
The speakers thrived under the pressure of delivering a 3-5 minute presentation while on camera, and it was clear that skills like time management ("eat the frog") and team building had improved the way people behaved on the job. 

Leadership Launch:
Alumni and prospective participants are always welcome to join us during the 8:00-9:30 Leadership Launch segment of each day. Upcoming skills:
If you are planning to attend, please contact Laura Ewan at laura@mcleancochamber.org.

Class & Leadership Launch Calendar

1/20/17
Education
Developing Others
2/3/17
Human Services
Leading with Heart
2/17/17
Healthcare
Nonverbal Communication
3/3/17
Business
Building a Winning Culture
3/17/17
Economic Impact
Conclusion, Year-End Progress Report



Order your alumni t-shirt

Was your graduating class the best ever?  Show off your LMC pride by ordering a LMC alumni t-shirt for only $15!   Order yours today! 
 
Note: a minimum of twelve t-shirts are needed to avoid a delay in delivery.



Leadership McLean County alumni purpose statement

To provide an opportunity for LMC alumni to:  
  • Connect with each other and the current LMC class
  • Continue serving McLean County communities through charitable events
  • Further our networking and leadership skills through alumni activities
Now on LinkedIn and Twitter
You've followed us on Facebook; now join Leadership McLean County Alumni on LinkedIn. The private group is a collection of past LMC graduates and a great place to share and read alumni news and events. And don't forget to follow us on Twitter @LMCpride.

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