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

All our Athenian Dialogues are IIMC pre-approved. Athenian Dialogues are eligible for 3 CMC Education Points or 3 MMC Advanced Education Points each with completion of the required learning assessment. A maximum of 18 points can be applied to a CMC application and another separate 18 points to an MMC application.

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.

IIMC Requirements

Per IIMC policy, participants must read the entire book prior to attending the Dialogue.

Attendees are expected to limit outside distractions to allow for an effective learning environment and be fully present for the duration of the Dialogue. In addition, participants must have a stable camera and audio connection for the entire session. Participants that opt not to have an audio connection or a camera connection will be removed from the session.

Assessment

To earn IIMC education points, participants must successfully complete a written assessment approximately two weeks after the conclusion of the session and submit it to the dialogue facilitator for review and approval. The exact due date will be noted in the assessment description. If alternative arrangements are not made in advance, participants who fully attend the session, but do not complete the assessment by the deadline, will be provided with an "attendance only" certificate instead of an IIMC education points certificate.

Certificates

After your facilitator confirms your attendance and approves your assessment, VCU will send you a link for you to certify your participation and receive your electronic certificate. Your certificate will be immediately available for download and automatically emailed to you. VCU will send this link to you approximately one month after the assessment submission deadline. Attendance only certificate links will be sent within two business days of the close of the Dialogue. If you have a special circumstance and need your certificate sooner, please let us know, and we will work with the facilitator to accommodate your situation.

Cost per Dialogue

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

Registration

Registration is limited to 24 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

1-4 p.m. Eastern, 12-3 p.m. Central, 11 a.m.-2 p.m. Mountain, 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Pacific (With a 20-minute break each day)

• • Wednesday and Thursday, August 18-19, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    Rising Strong: How the Ability to Reset Transforms the Way We Live, Love, Parent and Lead by Brené Brown

    Read more about the August 18-19 dialogue

    Social scientist Brené Brown has ignited a global conversation on courage, vulnerability, shame, and worthiness. Her pioneering work uncovered a profound truth: Vulnerability—the willingness to show up and be seen with no guarantee of outcome—is the only path to more love, belonging, creativity, and joy. But living a brave life is not always easy: We are, inevitably, going to stumble and fall.
    
    It is the rise from falling that Brown takes as her subject in Rising Strong. As a grounded theory researcher, Brown has listened as a range of people—from leaders in Fortune 500 companies and the military to artists, couples in long-term relationships, teachers, and parents—shared their stories of being brave, falling, and getting back up. She asked herself, What do these people with strong and loving relationships, leaders nurturing creativity, artists pushing innovation, and clergy walking with people through faith and mystery have in common? The answer was clear: They recognize the power of emotion and they’re not afraid to lean in to discomfort. (352 pages)

  • Tuesday and Wednesday, September 14-15, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    Thunder Dog: The True Story of a Blind Man, His Guide Dog, and the Triumph of Trust by Michael Hingson and Susy Flory

    Read more about the September 14-15 dialogue

    Every moment in Michael Hingson’s and Roselle’s lives seemed to lead up to this day. When one of four hijacked planes flew into the World Trade Center’s north tower on September 11, 2001, Michael Hingson, a district sales manager for a data protection and network security systems company, was sitting down for a meeting. His guide dog, Roselle, was at his feet. Paired for twenty-one months, man and dog spent that time forging a bond of trust, much like police partners who trust their lives to each other. (256 pages)

  • Thursday and Friday, October 7-8, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    The Power of a Graceful Leader by Alexsys Thompson

    Read more about the October 7-8 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)

  • Thursday and Friday, December 9-10, 2021: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    This is Me: Loving the Person You are Today by Chrissy Metz

    Read more about the December 9-10 dialogue

    After starring in the wildly popular television show “This is Us,” Chrissy Metz shares the life lessons she has learned, from her setbacks and successes. A born entertainer, Chrissy finds light in even her darkest moments, and leaves the reader feeling as if they are spending time with a trusted friend. (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 an IIMC pre-approved 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 Dialogues.