Athenian Dialogues

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In collaboration with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC), this Athenian Leadership Society Dialogue series is offered by the Virginia Municipal Clerks Association (VMCA) Institute and Academy and hosted by Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU).

About the Athenian Leadership Society

The Athenian Leadership Society is an advanced IIMC Leadership Development Program. Athenian Dialogues focus on helping municipal clerks develop critical thinking skills and increase their leadership ability. Athenian Dialogues provide valuable knowledge, vision and understanding to build increased leadership capacity and add value to the contribution of municipal clerks in improving local government.

After completing ten Athenian Dialogues, active IIMC members with good standing are eligible to apply to become fellows in the IIMC Athenian Leadership Society.

IIMC Education Points

The following pre-approved Athenian Dialogues are eligible for 3 CMC Education Points or 3 MMC Advanced Education Points with completion of the required learning assessment.

Virtual Dialogues

Athenian Dialogues explore leadership principles and practices, drawing on the insights contained in a book that all participants have read. Dialogues are a channel of communication in which municipal clerks share their experience and understanding as they relate to the author’s ideas and the relevance of those ideas to their public leadership role.

Dialogues will be held online using Zoom meetings. VCU will provide you with a link where you can connect through your PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, or Android device. We encourage full participation and require that all clerks have their cameras on and be seen for the entire session.

Assessment

To earn education points, participants must successfully complete a written assessment no later than two weeks after the conclusion of the session and submit it to the dialogue facilitator for review and approval.

Cost per Dialogue

• $75 for VMCA members
• $100 for IIMC members
  Books must be purchased separately on your own.

Registration

Registration is limited to 30 participants. The minimum enrollment is 10.

Registration Options

IIMC Points

To earn International Institute of Municipal Clerk (IIMC) education points, participants must fully participate and successfully complete a written assessment no later than two weeks after the conclusion of the session and submit it to the dialogue facilitator for review and approval.

Attendance Only

To earn an "attendance only" certificate toward your fellow application to the IIMC Athenian Leadership Society, clerks must fully participate in the entire dialogue.

Dates, Times, and Book Selections

Times Vary (With a 20-minute break each day)

• • Thursday and Friday, May 6-7, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    The Power of A Graceful Leader by Alexsys Thompson
    

    Read more about the May 6-7 dialogue

    In The Power of a Graceful Leader, Alexsys Thompson shares how to begin integrating who you are and how you lead. Through her experience with this disconnect in her own leadership and having coached hundreds of leaders in the integration journey, Alexsys offers tools, tenets, and some relatable stories to support you in your journey becoming an integrated, graceful leader. (258 pages)

  • Tuesday and Wednesday, May 18-19, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    I Am Malala: The Girl Who Stood Up for Education and Was Shot by the Taliban by Malala Yousafzai
    

    Read more about the May 18-19 dialogue

    When the Taliban took control of northern Pakistan, one girl spoke out. Malala Yousafzai refused to be silenced and fought for her right to an education. At age 15, she almost paid the ultimate price for that education. Shot in the head at point-blank range while riding the bus home from school, she was not expected to survive. Instead, Malala's miraculous recovery has taken her on an extraordinary journey from the Swat Valley in Pakistan to the halls of the United Nations in New York. (320 pages)

  • Tuesday and Wednesday, June 3-4, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    Hidden Figures: The American Dream and the Untold Story of the Black Women Mathematicians Who Helped Win the Space Race by Margot Lee Shetterley

    Read more about the June 3-4 dialogue

    Before John Glenn orbited the Earth, or Neil Armstrong walked on the moon, a group of dedicated female mathematicians known as “human computers” used pencils, slide rulers, and adding machines to calculate the numbers that would launch rockets and astronauts into space. (368 pages)

  • Thursday and Friday, June 24-25, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    Dare to Lead: Brave Work. Tough Conversations. Whole Hearts. by Brené Brown
    

    Read more about the June 24-25 dialogue

    Leadership is not about titles, status, and wielding power. A leader is anyone who takes responsibility for recognizing the potential in people and ideas, and has the courage to develop that potential. When we dare to lead, we don’t pretend to have the right answers; we stay curious and ask the right questions. (320 pages)

Rotating Facilitators

Jane Long, Ed.D.

Dr. Jane Long currently serves as the Manager of Learning, Staff Development and Talent at the American Dental Association, providing development opportunities to 400+ staff members. For more than 17 years, she worked with the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC) creating online learning opportunities and most recently served as the Director of Professional Development for five years.

Prior to her work with nonprofits, Dr. Long spent 18 years in higher education as both a faculty member and high-level administrator. She has presented over 100 interactive education sessions at national, state, and local conferences and taught online and on campus for several colleges and universities across the country. Dr. Long is an experienced Athenian Dialogue facilitator and finds much joy in interacting with clerks through the book discussions.

Cancellation and Refund Policies

You may cancel your registration up until the cancellation deadline listed on the registration page and receive a full refund minus a $35 credit card processing fee. After that date, no refunds will be given. Cancellations must be received via email at ocpe@vcu.edu.

In the unlikely event that this Dialogue is cancelled or postponed due to insufficient enrollments or unforeseen circumstances, the university will fully refund registration fees, but cannot be held responsible for any other expenses.

Custom Athenian Dialogues

Have your own group of 10 or more?

We're glad to offer a virtual Athenian Dialogue just for your group. Gather your group, decide on an IIMC approved book, and let us know a date range for the sessions. We can invoice the group, or open a special link where each clerk can pay individually to participate. To explore this option, please contact Jennifer Sisane, Institute Director - Virginia at jsisane@vcu.edu. Need a book idea? View previous Athenian Dialogue book selections.