November 15, 2011

Leadership institute seeks presenters

by Christi Mathis

CARBONDALE, Ill. -- A program that helps Southern Illinois University Carbondale students enhance their leadership skills is seeking your assistance.

The Social Justice Leadership Institute is a semester-long program for student leaders helping them develop critical thinking and communication skills about social justice and improve their leadership expertise through workshops, interactive exercises, small group dialogue and other activities.  Institute participants will attend a series of evening workshops during the spring semester from 5 to 7 p.m. on several Thursdays and the Social Justice Leadership Institute Core Committee is now seeking volunteer presenters.

Presentation topics typically are quite varied and could include diversity, leadership skills, financial advice, social justice, teamwork, healthy lifestyles, living an environmentally friendly lifestyle, or other relevant concepts.  The goal is helping provide students with the knowledge, tools and leadership skills to advance their vision for an equitable campus and community environment. 

Presentations can include visual components and can utilize a variety of formats including lectures, group activities and interactive discussions.  They need not last the entire two hours, as there can be time for cluster group discussions afterward, allowing participants to formulate plans of action to address social justice topics.

The deadline to submit a workshop proposal is Dec. 20.  The application is online now at http://orgsync.com/39367/forms/show/37019.

The institute was a spring 2009 pilot program from the Student Life and Intercultural Relations unit Student Involvement and Leadership Development.  That year about 50 students explored power, privilege and oppression and the successful program has returned each semester since.  It is a collaborative program, involving numerous departments, faculty and staff on campus as well as community members.

For more information about the institute or submitting a presentation proposal, contact Jenna Bartak at 618/453-5714 or by emailing jbartak@siu.edu.