Another Year Draws To A Close For WDMLA

The West Des Moines Leadership Academy completed its third class year last month in theatrical fashion-with a session called "Business Theater" at the Des Moines Playhouse! This was not your typical leadership training session - I hear some musical numbers were involved - but innovation, creativity and risk-taking are highly valued in today's dynamic workplace and the Class of 2011 learned that play and creativity can optimize collaboration and ideas at work. You can read much more about this session in more detail in the monthly Leadership article below.

"Business Theater" was facilitated by Tammy Rogers and Melynda DeCarlo of The Meyvn Group, a leadership coaching and development company based in Valley Junction. The Meyvn Group has been a friend of the Academy since last year's class and trained the Class of 2011 in situational leadership, team building, performance coaching and other topics. Other presenters included Tero International and Michael Wagner of the White Rabbit Group.

This year's class also tackled some experiential learning exercises, including an immersive poverty simulation in partnership with the Des Moines Catholic Diocese.  Academy members had to deal with poverty and the difficulty of navigating "the system" of non-profit and government assistance while maintaining a family.  "The Poverty Simulation is something I will not soon forget," said one class member. "I got done with the class and I met up with a couple of friends and I instantly told them about the overwhelming knowledge I acquired during that and how it felt to be poverty-stricken, even for an hour."

The Class of 2011 graduates on Thursday, June 2 at 4:00 pm at the Des Moines Golf and Country Club.  These 30 graduates achieved a great deal during their nine months in the Academy, including a class project benefiting the Booster Pak program in West Des Moines. This family event in May brought in over $40,000 in contributions for the program.

As the Class of 2011 take their training back to West Des Moines, a new crop of leaders is being slated for the Class of 2012.  Applications are available now at www.wdmleaders.org and are due Wednesday, June 29. This will be the Academy's fourth class and its members will enjoy a tested leadership curriculum and a network of Academy alumni 90 members strong.

This year brings changes to the Academy as new leaders will take positions on its board and two of the five founding members of the Academy will leave the group, Carole Chambers and myself. It has been a thrilling ride for those who helped develop  the West Des Moines Leadership Academy

and are now leaving the board, and the Academy and Chamber thank them for their service.

Submitted by Jeremy Schultz- Board Member

WDM Leadership Academy: 

From Booster Pak to Business Theater 

The West Des Moines Leadership Academy hosted the "Booster Pak Bash" Saturday May 14, 2011 at City Hall to benefit the non-profit organization Booster Pak. This organization fills backpacks with food for children who are currently on the free/reduced lunch program in the WDM elementary schools to ensure these children have something to eat during non-school hours. The Bash attendee's enjoyed a day filled with great attractions for their families including animals from Blank Park Zoo, ambulance from Mercy, fire truck, live music from Foxboro, pictures with Katelyn Epperly, and an appearance from the Menace soccer team!

Even with the day threatening to be cold, windy, and rainy the turnout was great as people came to partake in the attractions, food, and raffles. The event was a great success for both the 2011 Leadership class as well as the Booster Pak organization as we joined forces to increase awareness of childhood hunger in the city of WDM and the difference that Boosterpak makes in this community.

The Academy class of 2011 also had their last session of the year at the Des Moines Playhouse on May 19^th, 2011. Melynda DeCarlo and Tammy Rogers of the Meyvn Group were the presenters for the afternoon's meeting, in an only fitting fashion since they kicked off our first session in September. The session began with an introduction from AIB College of Business, the sponsor of the May class. Their parting message was the 4 A's for success; Academics, Attendance, Attitude, and Activities.  The class remained on their feet and active for the rest of the session interacting with one another and learning lessons while they were "playing."

The activities of the evening ranged from small groups interacting and bouncing ideas/phrases off one another (literally passing a tennis ball completing thoughts for one  another), to coming together at the end for a collective chorus of childhood songs (three groups singing in harmony singing the three songs of Row Your Boat, Are You Sleeping, and Kookaburra). During these breakout sessions filled with fun and entertainment there was always a lesson the Meyvn Group teased out of the participants. The session focused on practicing innovation and creativity,experiencing risk taking and learning how to navigate shifting priorities.  Participants also explored how to face uncertainty and take action when faced with ambiguity, and learned how to build collaboration to become more effective communicators. These lessons really allowed the class members to look inward and focus on what it really takes to be a true, effective leader in today's work environment.

The session ended with dinner and networking at Cabaret West where the classmates and alumni discussed the days lessons and were able to reflect upon the year as a whole. The overall consensus is that the class of 2011 was filled with great lessons, wonderful interactions, and a true sense of friendship and community with each other.

Submitted by Megan Popson- Hy-Vee Inc.,

Current Leadership Academy Class

Sponsorships are being snapped up - act fast!

Our 2011 Chamber calendar is booking up quickly and the 2011 West Des Moines Chamber Sponsorships are officially on sale!  With so many great opportunities available, what are you waiting for?  Check out the entire online catalog now by visiting www.wdmchamber.org/2011sponsorships. 

If there is something in particular you are hoping to purchase, you better snatch it up fast because all WDM Chamber sponsorships are sold on a first come first serve basis.  Happy shopping!