VeNews July 20, 2001

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HEALTH LEADERSHIP PROGRAM

In a few weeks the first cohort of participants in the Health Leadership Program will gather for their final session. Some 16 people from across the country will meet at Mundelein Center in Illinois for three days, Sept 5, 6 and 7. Jack Shea, Advocate Health Care Senior Scholar, will work with the group as they integrate the competencies and values they have been fostering throughout the program into their daily work with health and human service organizations. Participants develop their own personal mission statements and plans to serve as resources to one another in coming months. A final session marks the close of the formal program although the network and relationships developed among these leaders will last far beyond the life of the project.

A few weeks later, Sept. 24-26, the second cohort of new participants will arrive at the same place, this time to begin their year of faith-based leadership training. These people come from a wide range of human service agencies, including nursing homes, children's services, family counseling programs, and housing projects. Geographically, they come from rural Iowa, the Bronx, California, and all points in between. What they have in common is an interest in expanding their leadership skills to include conscious involvement of faith and values concerns in decision-making.

With the second cohort, Dr. Jim Childs will work with the participants to examine social teaching, social service, and witness. Dr. David Greenshaw then will discuss how making a difference in the lives of others by helping them or serving them necessarily involves the exercise of authority. Participants will examine how they themselves use and handle that authority.

The Health Leadership Program is based on competencies found to be characteristic of effective leaders in health and human service organizations. It includes competencies such as Passion for Justice, Integrity, Change Leadership, and Ethical Reflection and Action. For more information on the complete model and on the Program, contact us at .

Vesper Society is a private operating foundation with programs in leadership, health, and Central America. Our mission is to create opportunities for individuals, groups, and organizations to apply moral and ethical values in decision making on social and economic issues.