What is an enlightened leader?
Check out our vision for enlightened leadership and what it could mean in your ministry.
Login
Search
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the schedule for the webinars?
You may access the upcoming schedule which includes links to speaker bios and detail about each module.
You may access the upcoming schedule which includes links to speaker bios and detail about each module.
Please keep in mind that the EL program consists of three components for each module of development that include:
• Individual activities in preparation for the webinar.
• The virtual session itself.
• Group development activities afterward.
It is truly an actionable, comprehensive leadership program.
Who will present the sessions?
We are very excited about the lineup of speakers we have for you this year! For those of you who attended the 2009 Unity People's Convention, you had the opportunity to experience the energy and wisdom of Cindy Wigglesworth. Cindy, along with three other dynamic spiritual leaders, will be sharing their skills and insight with your lead team each quarter. You can currently access the year one speakers on our website and expect to see an exciting and credible new lineup each year. We promise to continue to listen to the leadership development requests from our ministries and bring you new and dynamic resources on topics relevant to you. We always welcome your recommendations and feedback.
We are very excited about the lineup of speakers we have for you this year! For those of you who attended the 2009 Unity People's Convention, you had the opportunity to experience the energy and wisdom of Cindy Wigglesworth. Cindy, along with three other dynamic spiritual leaders, will be sharing their skills and insight with your lead team each quarter. You can currently access the year one speakers on our website and expect to see an exciting and credible new lineup each year. We promise to continue to listen to the leadership development requests from our ministries and bring you new and dynamic resources on topics relevant to you. We always welcome your recommendations and feedback.
Is this part of the Thriving Ministry Pilot Program?
The Transformation Experience is made up of two programs: the Thriving Ministry program and the Enlightened Leaders program. Fifteen ministries have been selected to participate in the Thriving Ministry pilot program, which is a whole-ministry transformation that continues through a three-year period. Every aspect of ministry is addressed through a variety of engaging and expansive learning opportunities and processes. In addition, the Thriving Ministry program includes the Enlightened Leaders program.
The Transformation Experience is made up of two programs: the Thriving Ministry program and the Enlightened Leaders program. Fifteen ministries have been selected to participate in the Thriving Ministry pilot program, which is a whole-ministry transformation that continues through a three-year period. Every aspect of ministry is addressed through a variety of engaging and expansive learning opportunities and processes. In addition, the Thriving Ministry program includes the Enlightened Leaders program.
Enlightened Leaders is a stand-alone program focusing solely on the deep development of ministry leaders and leadership teams. Some ministries will prefer to focus on leadership transformation before engaging in whole-ministry transformation. If this is true for you, you will want to consider the Enlightened Leaders program.
What are the pre and post activities like? How much time will they involve?
In order to maximize the learning and real-world application of the virtual sessions, adult learning principles need to be considered. Statistics prove that your retention of any type of training increases dramatically when you have the opportunity to “use” the learning within the framework of your own experiences. To accomplish this, we provide you with opportunities to enhance the webinar event:
In order to maximize the learning and real-world application of the virtual sessions, adult learning principles need to be considered. Statistics prove that your retention of any type of training increases dramatically when you have the opportunity to “use” the learning within the framework of your own experiences. To accomplish this, we provide you with opportunities to enhance the webinar event:
- You can expect to devote 45-90 minutes before each event for individual development and preparation. This may include on-line assessment, videos, journaling activity, required reading or other resources relevant to the speaker's material.
- Since these modules are designed for your ministry lead team to attend, we also provide you the tools to facilitate a group activity reinforcing the lessons following the virtual session. The group sessions apply what you've just learned to the specific goals and situations you are working through within your own ministry.
- The amount of time you spend on the post-work is up to you. You may be able to work through the material in a one hour meeting, or you may choose to take a deeper dive into the content and really build a plan of action with your team. There will also be some optional activities available in support of group development that you can engage in on your own time, towards your own objectives.
All pre and post materials and expectations will be available to you on the TE Web site well in advance of each session.
What if the dates of a virtual session don't work for us?
We have scheduled these events in advance so that you can plan to attend, but we do understand that conflicts can come up. If for some reason your team or certain members of your team are unavailable to participate in the live sessions, you will be able to access them afterwards via an archive link on this portal (unity.org/leadership). We recommend that you still proceed with the pre and post activities as you normally would in conjunction with your plans to watch the archive sessions. That said, there is a distinct benefit to the live sessions—you'll have the chance to ask questions and share in the group dynamic in real time, as well as benefit from the collective energy of the movement as a whole. It's a wonderful chance to connect with other leaders who share your concerns and aspirations.
We have scheduled these events in advance so that you can plan to attend, but we do understand that conflicts can come up. If for some reason your team or certain members of your team are unavailable to participate in the live sessions, you will be able to access them afterwards via an archive link on this portal (unity.org/leadership). We recommend that you still proceed with the pre and post activities as you normally would in conjunction with your plans to watch the archive sessions. That said, there is a distinct benefit to the live sessions—you'll have the chance to ask questions and share in the group dynamic in real time, as well as benefit from the collective energy of the movement as a whole. It's a wonderful chance to connect with other leaders who share your concerns and aspirations.
What will the on-line community be like?
The purpose of creating the interactive web pages accessible from this page (direct URL location to be announced) is to promote interaction and ongoing learning among all participants. You can expect to find:
The purpose of creating the interactive web pages accessible from this page (direct URL location to be announced) is to promote interaction and ongoing learning among all participants. You can expect to find:
- Electronic archive of EL documents and learning materials.
- Archive of recorded virtual sessions.
- Threaded discussion groups (topical text-entry discussion areas where participants and facilitators deepen understanding and application of the skills).
- Downloadable podcasts.
- Guidelines to support self-facilitation of Leadership Groups—materials to offer structure and focus to use in virtual sessions/meetings.
The focus of the virtual sessions considers that 25 percent of clarity and understanding come from the session itself, while 75 percent come from application exercises, reflection and group support.
Which leaders need to be a part of this?
We don't wish to prescribe who needs to participate, yet we'd like you to consider including anyone you feel has (or will have) a significant leadership role within your spiritual community. At minimum, we would expect to have ministers, licensed Unity teachers and board trustees. It would benefit your group to involve any other lay leaders you deem appropriate. The more leaders you include, the greater value you receive. Just keep in mind the manageability of facilitation when considering group size.
We don't wish to prescribe who needs to participate, yet we'd like you to consider including anyone you feel has (or will have) a significant leadership role within your spiritual community. At minimum, we would expect to have ministers, licensed Unity teachers and board trustees. It would benefit your group to involve any other lay leaders you deem appropriate. The more leaders you include, the greater value you receive. Just keep in mind the manageability of facilitation when considering group size.
What is the application deadline?
We will close enrollment on October 30, 2009. The energy is really building around these sessions and our goal is to connect people from hundreds of ministries across the country—you won't want to miss out!
We will close enrollment on October 30, 2009. The energy is really building around these sessions and our goal is to connect people from hundreds of ministries across the country—you won't want to miss out!
I know there's a cost associated with providing this service, so how much is this going to cost each ministry?
Our internal market research indicated that a basic, general leadership webinar training ranged anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 a year for full lead team participation. The Enlightened Leaders program is customized specifically for the needs of Unity ministries at a fraction of the cost. We are thrilled to offer this and grateful to everyone who has dedicated their time, talents and treasures to make it happen! We have recently reduced the cost of the original offering in order to maximize participation by our ministries. We have also made the commitment to tithe 10 percent of the EL revenue to Unity Institute® to support the development of future Unity leaders.
Our internal market research indicated that a basic, general leadership webinar training ranged anywhere from $5,000 to $25,000 a year for full lead team participation. The Enlightened Leaders program is customized specifically for the needs of Unity ministries at a fraction of the cost. We are thrilled to offer this and grateful to everyone who has dedicated their time, talents and treasures to make it happen! We have recently reduced the cost of the original offering in order to maximize participation by our ministries. We have also made the commitment to tithe 10 percent of the EL revenue to Unity Institute® to support the development of future Unity leaders.
If we are already tithing 3 percent to the Association, does this mean that we need to give another 3 percent?
Not at all. If your annual giving to the Association already equals or exceeds 3 percent of your ministry's income, you have already met the requirements to participate in full and we are always grateful for your ongoing contributions. As we work to enhance our portfolio of services and increase the quality we provide, the income provided by our ministries is critical to supporting our mission. Our goal is to provide you with exceptional value for your contributions so that you will always feel that it was money well spent.
Not at all. If your annual giving to the Association already equals or exceeds 3 percent of your ministry's income, you have already met the requirements to participate in full and we are always grateful for your ongoing contributions. As we work to enhance our portfolio of services and increase the quality we provide, the income provided by our ministries is critical to supporting our mission. Our goal is to provide you with exceptional value for your contributions so that you will always feel that it was money well spent.
How does this fit with Thriving in Unity (TiU)? Can we do Enlightened Leaders and Thriving in Unity?
Thriving in Unity is a separate program that is available at no charge to any Unity ministry requesting it. You may participate in this at the same time as EL. Since TiU can be completed at your own pace, it may well fit with your ministry. We encourage you to consider the time and energy required and determine how this works best for you.
Thriving in Unity is a separate program that is available at no charge to any Unity ministry requesting it. You may participate in this at the same time as EL. Since TiU can be completed at your own pace, it may well fit with your ministry. We encourage you to consider the time and energy required and determine how this works best for you.
Why are you asking us for everyone's individual e-mail addresses? Can't the minister just distribute all the communications?
The reason we ask for addresses on individuals is so that we can send any relevant pre-work or assessment results directly to each participant. Rest assured that these addresses are only listed in the EL database and not used for any other purpose. And no one will be contacted outside the scope of the EL umbrella. In order to ensure privacy, make sure assignments are received in a timely manner and avoid any technical issues, e-mail addresses will need to be provided.
The reason we ask for addresses on individuals is so that we can send any relevant pre-work or assessment results directly to each participant. Rest assured that these addresses are only listed in the EL database and not used for any other purpose. And no one will be contacted outside the scope of the EL umbrella. In order to ensure privacy, make sure assignments are received in a timely manner and avoid any technical issues, e-mail addresses will need to be provided.
Can I do this by myself or do I have to be part of a lead team?
Though the EL program is designed to maximize the effectiveness of whole team involvement, we recognize there are people who are looking to take on leadership positions or attending ministerial training that are not yet part of an active team. It is our intent to support thriving ministries and enlightened leaders throughout the Unity movement and beyond, so we welcome anyone who is interested in benefiting from the program. Pricing for individuals varies from that of the groups, so be sure to check out the fee structure provided on the website.
Comments
Though the EL program is designed to maximize the effectiveness of whole team involvement, we recognize there are people who are looking to take on leadership positions or attending ministerial training that are not yet part of an active team. It is our intent to support thriving ministries and enlightened leaders throughout the Unity movement and beyond, so we welcome anyone who is interested in benefiting from the program. Pricing for individuals varies from that of the groups, so be sure to check out the fee structure provided on the website.
Login to post a comment
