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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 and Book Selections

• • Thursday and Friday, June 15-16, 2023: Facilitator Jane Long, Ed.D.

    Start with Why: How Great Leaders Inspire Everyone to Take Action by Simon Sinek

    Read about the June 15-16 dialogue

    Simon Sinek is leading a movement to build a world in which the vast majority of us are inspired by the work we do. This book is a deeper dive into the “why” we do what we do on a daily basis. Any person or organization can explain what they do; some can explain how they are different or better, but very few can clearly articulate “why”. Why is not about money or profits – those are results. Why is what inspired us and inspires those around us. (256 pages)

  • Wednesday, July 26, 2023: Facilitator Janice Bates
    

    I Love It Here by Clint Pulver

    Read about the July 26 dialogue

    Emmy Award-winning speaker Clint Pulver-aka the Undercover Millennial-shares insights gleaned from thousands of undercover interviews with employees across the country, revealing the best methods for identifying talent, building a sense of ownership, and developing a successful workplace culture that employees will love. You'll also learn the number one driver of employee turnover (spoiler: it has everything to do with you!), what you can do to stop an exodus, and how to build a team that really works. Soon, you'll be recognizing possibilities where others see problems, and capturing the power of small moments to create a meaningful legacy. Your company can be a place where people don't just survive, but thrive. I Love It Here shows you how. (240 pages) 

  • Thursdays, August 10-17, 2023: Facilitator Janice Bates
    

    The Confidence Code by Katty Kay and Claire Shipman

    Read about the August 10-17 dialogue

    Combining cutting-edge research in genetics, gender, behavior, and cognition—with examples from their own lives and those of other successful women in politics, media, and business—Kay and Shipman go beyond admonishing women to "lean in." Instead, they offer the inspiration and practical advice women need to close the gap and achieve the careers they want and deserve. (272 pages)

  • Wednesday, September 20, 2023: Facilitator Janice Bates
    

    Shoot Like A Girl by Mary Jennings Hegar

    Read about the September 20 dialogue

    Mary Jennings Hegar takes the reader on a dramatic journey through her military career: an inspiring, humorous, and thrilling true story of a brave, high-spirited, and unforgettable woman who has already spent much of her life ready to sacrifice everything for her country, her fellow man, and her sense of justice. (304 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.

  Janice M. Bates, MMC

  Janice is an experienced municipal clerk, Athenian Dialogue facilitator, and speaker. She has served as Clerk of Council for Tipp City, Ohio since 2011. She is active in both the Ohio Municipal Clerks Association (OMCA) and the International Institute of Municipal Clerks (IIMC). Within the OMCA, she has served in the roles of president, vice president, immediate past president and city board member. While on the OMCA Board, her priority was increasing membership and educational opportunities. In 2019, she was sworn in as the IIMC Region V Director. She is presently an IIMC vice president candidate.

  Janice holds a Bachelor of Fine Arts degree in art and art history with a concentration in photography from Wright State University. In addition, she is an Athenian Leadership Society Fellow with Certified Municipal Clerk (CMC) and Master Municipal Clerk (MMC) credentials from the IIMC.

  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. (Processing fees are being waived through 6/30/2023.)
  
  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 the Institute Director Christina Draper at cdraper2@vcu.edu. Need a book idea? View Previous Athenian Dialogues.