Lead program guide
2016
Table of contents
Introduction
Program objectives and requirements
Outcomes
Requirements
Commitment and Responsibility
Your commitment
Principles and Values
Our commitment
The program
LEAD Conference
Workshops
Retreat
Additional information
Wrap-Up Function
Ongoing Involvement
Contact Details
Introduction
LEAD is a Western Sydney University SSAF funded, leadership project creating leaders of tomorrow. The program supports student volunteers and employees to build their leadership capacity and skills through education, networking and other opportunities. LEAD stands for Lead, Engage, Aspire and Develop.
Along with a conference and a retreat, the 2016 LEAD program will involve more learning and development opportunities including face-to-face workshops. This is to help you engage more meaningfully with the program, facilitators and other student LEADers.
PROGRAM objectives and requirements
The LEAD program aims to:
- Support student volunteers and employees at Western Sydney University to build leadership capacity, communication, team building, and employability skills
- Provide an excellent program that enhances the student experience
- Develop a program of learning and support to improve students’ graduate attributes with respect to employment and further study
The LEADprogram will provide you with training tobuild your leadership capacities,self-awareness, communication skills,and intercultural understanding. LEAD will open with a two-day conference in June during the intersession break. This will be followed by face-to-face workshops in the Spring Session.
Outcomes
By the end of the program, it is expected that you will have developed the following interpersonal and professional skills:
- Self-awareness: Identifying strengths, interests and values and understanding how to use these when making decisions and setting goals for success
- Leadership fundamentals: understanding the skills and qualities that make a great leader includingstrategic thinking, confidence, being influential and motivational, and managing time effectively
- Strong communication: understanding the different communication styles that are needed to be a strong collaborator and team leader
- Conflict management:understanding conflict styles and strategies for managing conflict effectively
- Cultural competence:exploring the values and principles needed to have an effective intercultural team
- Employability skills: exploring and understanding howto position oneself as the preferred candidate for future employment such as addressing job criteria and preparing for an interview
Requirements
For successful completion of LEAD and to receive the LEAD certificate,you must:
- Attend the conference
- Attend all core workshops
- Be an active participant in group activities
- Provide comprehensive evaluations and reflections during the program and at the program’s end
If you are unable to attend the conference, you may be required to attend two additional workshops and watch supplementary videos.
LEAD program guide 2016Page 1 of 5
Commitment and Responsibility
YOUR commitment
You are expected to recognise the value of the LEAD program and the unique opportunity of being a part of it. You need to commit to completingall necessary requirements of the program.
You will need to dedicate time outside of class to complete LEAD and it is your responsibility to manage this time effectively.
As a participant in the LEAD program, you are committed and required to:
- Attend the conference
- Attend three core workshops
- Be an enthusiastic participant in networking and engaging with students, staff and external personnel online and face-to-face
Expected hours for lead
The below table is a rough guide to give you an indication of how many hours you should expect to set aside for LEAD.
ITEM / DESCRIPTION / REQUIREMENT / EXPECTED TIMEConference / This conference will be two full days during the Autumn/Spring intersession break. You must attend both days. / Two days* / Two fulldays on campus – Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 June 2016
Face-to-face workshops / These workshops will be scheduled throughout the Spring Session and held on multiple campuses (there may be an instance where a workshop can only be held on one or two campuses) / Three workshops / Six hours (total)
*If you are unable to attend the two days, you may need to watch supplementary videos and attend additional workshops.
Principles and Values
During the Leadership Program you will always:
- Uphold Western Sydney University’s Student Code of Conduct
- Be professional
- Act as a positive and influential ambassador for LEAD and Western Sydney University
- Strive to make the most of and appreciate this opportunity that has been offered to you
OUR commitment
We are committedto offering an engaging and valuable leadership program to you. This includes meeting the objectives outlined and offering opportunities for you to gain the desired outcomes as listed above.
This is the first time the LEAD program is running in this format and we ask that you be patient, understanding and constructive as we continue to develop and enhance LEAD. Your assistance and input in this process is invaluable.
The program
LEAD Conference
The LEAD Conference is a two-day event for you to network, attend topical sessions and engage with likeminded people. Topics for the sessionsinclude leadership, developing networks, self-management, and employability skills. You are required to attend both days of the conference.
Conference details
The LEAD Conference will be held on Wednesday 29 and Thursday 30 of June at Parramatta campus (South). More details will be in the conference program, which will be made available on the LEAD webpage closer to the date.
WORKSHOPS
There will bethree core workshops and various elective workshops.The workshops are intended to engage you with a variety of topics and to facilitate spaces for you to meet each other and work together.
The workshop timetable will be downloadable from the LEAD webpage in June.
Core workshops
The core workshops will be available on multiple campuses throughout Spring Session and amount to approximately six hours of face time. If you are not able to attend a core workshop, you must notify the LEAD Team as soon as possible.
Elective workshops
Although the elective workshops are options, we highly recommended you attend as many workshops as you can to get the most out of the program. You should be considering these workshops as opportunities to network with facilitators and support other LEAD students.
Retreat
Similar to last year, you will be invited to attend a retreat. In the pre-program survey we ask all students, to tell us what would make a great retreat, including location, time and format.
The retreat is not a requirement of the LEAD program, however we do encourage you to attend as it is free and a great opportunity to extend your development, learning and networking.
More details regarding the retreat will be made available during Spring Session.
Additional information
Wrap-Up Function
After completing all the requirements of LEAD, we will host a functionto ‘wrap-up’ the program. Staff, mentors and family/friends will be invited to acknowledge the achievements of LEAD students.
Details of the Wrap-Up Function such as date and location will be confirmed during Spring Session.
Ongoing Involvement
We hope to be able to invite students who complete the requirements of the LEADprogram back as mentors to the next LEAD students and also be a part of a higher-level leadership program.
Involvement will be voluntary and depend on the program funding for 2017, but LEADers will have the opportunity to gain extended professional development and networking opportunities.
Contact Details
LEAD Project Team
Phone: +61 2 9772 6136
LEAD program guide 2016Page 1 of 5